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Sneakers Release – New Balance 550 “Panda” Men’s Shoe Launching July 1

Sneakers Release – New Balance 550 “Panda” Men’s Shoe Launching July 1

Jun 24, 2022

The New Balance 550 was all but forgotten about until the founder of Aimé Leon Dore, Teddy Santis, saw the shoe in an old sneaker catalog. It inspired him to get in touch with New Balance, and the Steven Smith design was officially resurrected in 2020. Since then, we’ve seen numerous new colorways—and there’s an even newer one on the horizon.

The New Balance 550 “Panda” Black/White/Sail colorway is a twist on the line’s popular black and white color palette. This reimaged take on the now cool dad shoe, the New Balance 550 “Panda,” launches on July 1 exclusively in men’s sizes. A second version of the colorway, a reversed “Panda” if you will, also launches on July 1. This colorway flips the script by replacing the mostly black upper with a creamy “Sail” color palette with black accents.

Black/White/Sail New Balance 550 "Panda" men's shoe launching 7/1/22

On the true “Panda” colorway, a nearly all-black leather upper looks sleek with a satin finish on the casual sneaker’s upper. Patches of black mesh at the ankle and tongue add a matte contrast to the colorway’s slight shine, while the “Panda” colorway’s black laces and eyelets blend in nicely.

Hits of white come into play mostly with the branding, which delivers a distinctive pop of color on the otherwise black sneaker. The white outline of the number “550” sits on the lateral forefoot, and a classic cream “N” punctuates the middle of both sides of the shoe.

Overhead view of the men's "Panda" New Balance 550, launching at Hibbett | City Gear on July 1.

A white overlay along the ankle collar adds additional light to the noir aesthetic, which nicely complements the white NB branding found at the heel. There’s also a faint gray basketball and “New Balance 550” branding in gray on the NB 550 Black/White/Sail shoe’s tongue.

The “Panda’s” silhouette is interrupted at the midsole by a thick cream-colored component that is matted to a black and gray outsole with white New Balance branding on the heel.

View from the heel of the "Panda" Black/White/Sail men's New Balance 550, dropping on July 1.

Black and white are the obvious colors to pair with this shoe but don’t be afraid to go bold as well. Since the New Balance 550 is just black and white, you can easily incorporate a brighter accent color, like red or neon yellow, into your full Toe-to-Head look. For example, you might try lime crew socks with black basketball shorts and an oversized white men’s hoodie.

Chill and subtle, these kicks will help you embrace the subtle elegance that can be found in a nice and casual pair of shoes. Cop the New Balance 550 “Panda” in men’s sizes July 1 online and at your local Hibbett | City Gear.

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