atmos gives the New Balance 550 the classic treatment

atmos once again teams up with the Boston-based footwear brand to present the New Balance 550 “Back In Black”: a classic remastering of the model that debuted in 1989 with designer Steven Smith, peaking in 2022 and continuing in the same state until the end of this year.

The Japanese brand leaves aesthetic eccentricity aside in favour of simplicity through a design dressed in black -even the sole unit- with white accents on the logo as well as on the ribbed lining of the sneaker.

According to the release notes, atmos was notably inspired by the streetwear sensibilities of the 2010s, in particular the monotone colour palettes and streetwear labels during that period when creating the shoe.

As for the materials themselves, the traditional “N” logo on the upper is covered in textured white leather, evoking the basketball past of the shoe which is now reimagined in men’s size only and retails for a very affordable $140.

As expected in the sneakerhead scene, trainer devotees have been asking to enter the raffle for the limited edition New Ballance 550 offered exclusively at atmos Tokyo. The raffle will open on 16 December on the atmos Tokyo website, while the general release of the “Back in Black” colourway is scheduled for 23 December.