New Balance's Long-Awaited Sneaker Is Something Old & Something New
Brand: New Balance
Model: XC-72
Release Date: September 4
Price: $100 to $130
Buy: New Balance and select retailers
What We’re Saying: New Balance has once again called on Charlotte Lee to design an all-new silhouette. Following stellar work on the relatively new 237 and 327, Lee has hit another home run with the forthcoming XC-72. NB collaborator Casablanca gave us our initial look at the sneaker in its FW21 collection, but now, the much-anticipated shoe is slated to debut in a multicolored inline colorway.
Courtesy of official images, we get a better, more detailed look at the XC-72, which is scheduled to release this fall with suggested retail pricing from $100 to $130. Similar to the 237 and 327 models, the sneaker heavily references '70s running footwear, featuring a nylon upper with numerous suede panels. The heel clip and outsole, in particular, draw immediate attention to the silhouette, however, as the former boasts a textured, rubberized build, while the latter has a standout tread pattern that extends up onto the toe.
“The XC-72 is the physical embodiment of retro-futurism,” said Lee. “As with the 327, I asked myself ‘if I was a designer in the 70’s what would I create as New Balance’s concept car?’. I took inspiration and specific elements from the past and reimagined them for today’s consumer. This methodology creates a timeless design that we hope will be reimagined, yet again, in another 40 years.”
In terms of the colorway itself, we're getting heavy Two-Face vibes from the "Multicolor" XC-72, and that's a good thing. The various pastel hues undoubtedly help the silhouette stand out even further, as we expect this one to be in extremely high demand come release day. While you wait for the long-awaited XC-72 launch, you can learn more about Charlotte Lee and her previous New Balance designs by reading our recent interview here.
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