Matt Varga At this point, more than half a decade into New Balance’s resurgence as a defining brand in sneakers, we can comfortably lay out the cadence for a new one of their silhouettes. Often, the introduction comes with heavy collaborative backing, from your KITHs, your Joe Freshgoodses, your Action Bronsons, or your Teddy Santises. From there, as that debut recedes further into the rear view, NB will often apply their roster of subtle, calm colorways to closer align the new face with its old standards.
The New Balance 1890 still has the “new shoe smell,” but we’ve already seen that take hold. Restrained looks like the “Linen” or the “Grey Days” showcase the brand’s strength in neutrality, now applied to the mixed media arrangement that is the 1890. Here, various shades of grey collide on the synthetic uppers, with brighter off-white lighting up the laces and sole unit.
The New Balance 1890 covered here should be hitting NewBalance.com in short order, commanding the standard $180 upon arrival.
