2024 has been a year flush with New Balance 1500 releases for the sneaker’s 35th anniversary, but none of them as expensive as the next one coming up.
The New Balance 1500 Made in Japan “35th Anniversary” comes clad in the brand’s signature mix of greys and a whopping $500 price tag. As the name suggests, the sneaker was (hand)made in Japan, and that denotes an even higher quality than that of New Balance’s Made in USA and Made in UK sneakers. New Balance also doesn’t trot out Made in Japan sneakers nearly as often, making the series as rare as it is luxe.
This 35th anniversary 1500 doesn’t stop at greyscale nubuck, as blue leather is used sparingly around the midfoot and vamp. Yellow embroidery is also used for the branding throughout, including the “N” and “1500” side marks, as well as New Balance logos on the tongue and heel. The midsole and outsole then make use of grey, blue, white and black.
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A dedicated page for the sneaker, translated into English, says the shoe may fit tight at first but will eventually mold to your foot.
The 1500 is one of several New Balance designs from Steven Smith, who you may also know for his work for Adidas Yeezy, and it debuted in 1989 as a trainer with iterations made for running, basketball and tennis (the version you see here and most often is the one for running). In the shoe’s marketing, New Balance touted the six materials used for the midsole, and one tagline read, “Over the years, MIT professors have been responsible for 150 computers, 47 rockets, 6 satellites and one shoe.”
Given its age, the 1500 has now been targeted toward the lifestyle sector for quite some time, and it’s a regular part of the Flimby factory output for the Made in UK line.
The New Balance 1500 Made in Japan “35th Anniversary” will release November 28 exclusively through the New Balance Japan website. Pricing is set at ~$520, and New Balance will also give away three pairs that have been dip-dyed in indigo to members of its MyNB program who have achieved platinum status.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
