EditorialNEW BALANCE’S 650R: A Remastered Classic
28 April 2023Infused with essential ‘80s basketball style, New Balance’s 650r sneaker offers archival court aesthetics for the modern day.
Following on from the wildly popular 550 sneaker, New Balance have introduced a high-top counterpart to the fabled basketball style. Exuding the same energy and aesthetic cues as the earlier sneaker, the 650r perfectly blends 1980s court design with a modern sensibility.
Perfected for the contemporary lifestyle arena, the 650r was plucked from the archive by the brand’s Made in USA creative director and founder of Aimé Leon Dore, Teddy Santis. Originally released in 1989, the basketball sneaker combines of-the-era style codes with comfortable and durable design. A high foam collar and Ortholite insole ensure comfort and support, while the model carries over details from the 550 such as heel branding, perforated side walls and numbering towards the toe box.
While plucked from the archives, the 650r sneaker offers a modernised update to the once forgotten style. With the “R” in the shoe’s naming standing for “remastered”, subtle details have been adapted or improved, creating a truly contemporary sneaker with a rich history and legacy.