Although New Balance’s bread and butter has been chunky “dad shoes” and mesh runners, they still find time to hit other categories in this space. Enter the New Balance 471, the brand’s newest lifestyle sneaker that leans into vintage and archival NB designs from the ‘70s. In January, we saw New Balance athlete Cameron Brink rock the pair courtside in Paris. Still, now the brand has officially unveiled the new model and its launch colorway.
Rather than bringing back a 1:1 retro of an older style, akin to how New Balance recently revived models like the 475, 509, and 1000, the 471 takes multiple different NB archival designs. It uses them to inspire this brand-new silhouette. The sleek, low-top model comes with a “fang” overlay on the toebox inspired by the original New Balance 320 design, with hairy suede applied here and throughout the grey overlays on the upper. Beneath this sits a breathable mesh base contrasted by hits of blue on the leather N logo.
Images via New Balance
Exposed foam on the tongue adds to the sneaker's vintage design, while classic NB logos hit the tongue tag and insole. Finishing the design is the EVA foam midsole and a gum rubber outsole. One thing to note is that New Balance originally uploaded images of an early sample of the 471 to its website, later revising them to showcase the official images we posted below. However, this pair isn't indicative of the actual product as the released pair will come with hairy suede overlays, not smooth suede.
"We knew we wanted to offer a shoe with a sleeker profile while maintaining our strong connection and history within the '70s running space. I spent a lot of time researching vintage elements, pulling inspiration from New Balance heritage models, materials, colors, details and trims of the era. Even our choice to use materials like hairy suede overlays and woven mesh connects back to what was used in sneakers during that period of design. The result is a new shoe that offers a low-profile look and blends together unique vintage quirks with a distinct modern-day appeal,” says Joe Walsh, Lead Footwear Designer at New Balance.
The New Balance 471 will debut on March 26, 2025, in the Timberwolf colorway through New Balance and select retailers online and in-store. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is set at $110. Expect to see an array of colorways hit shelves over the next year, as nearly 30 different options are set for release. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via New Balance
Images via New Balance
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
