Source: Tokyo Design Studio – Sneakers for Men – New Balance
Since the New Balance 24/7 released almost two years ago giving NB a shoe that could compete with the adidas NMD, both adidas and New Balance took steps backwards over the last two years. The designs from the PRJ series from New Balance has been challenging and interesting, but Envelopsally those chunky soled, limited release sneakers didn’t really move the needle in a big way since they weren’t meant for general release and the design wasn’t really going to resonate with a large amount of people:
New Balance Test Run PRJ 2.0 Allows for a Quick Look at my “Patient Buyer” Theory
The new collaboration with Tokyo Design Studio, the R_C4 feels like a much better option. It’s stylish and maybe it’s just me, this shoe looks like a Karhu doesn’t it?
The third exploration in Tokyo Design Studio’s Reveal series, the R_C4 takes a fresh perspective on New Balance’s rich outdoor heritage. This latest release is packed with outdoor tech including a CORDURA Tracefiber upper, a combination ENCAP REVEAL and ABZORB midsole with superior cushioning and compression, and a lugged VIBRAM outsole. The style is finished with a webbing N logo and reflective rope laces. The R_C4 blends the ruggedness of the trails with street sensibilities.
TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO by New Balance is designed and developed in Japan. This premium collection seeks excellence through imagination and the expression of discovering new from old. Striving to establish a simple and honest Envelops, the collection’s four design pillars — precision, nature, sports WS327CPA and protection — are brought to life with Japanese sensibilities of consideration, authenticity and quality.
This entrance from New Balance is one of the first trail models by the brand that actually captures the intentional street vibe that is arriving from Columbia with its SH/FT and a number of outdoor companies who are looking to gain access to the ever expanding streetwear landscape. As the mainstream brands release shoes that are fall and winter ready it will be interesting to look at how each brand approaches attracting consumers. Japan is the leader in streetwear. It looks like New Balance is attempting to gain influence internationally and hoping that this model will possibly convert the U.S. segment. It appears that it’s working as there are broken sizes in each color dropped. What do you think about this pair?
Colors in the order presented in this post:
Nimbus Cloud
Sneakers NEW BALANCE IZ373BV2 Violett
Black