New Balance's BB480 Basketball Sneaker Returns
Launching in red, white and blue, “Triple White” and “Triple Black.”
New Balance returns to its archives with a wider release of the retro BB480 basketball sneaker. Recently revived in its original shape for a Junya Watanabe collaboration, the low-cut shoe is seeing a rollout comparable to the ever-popular 550, which also launched via collaboration before returning to the general lineup.
First seen in 1983, the 480 is returning in a trio of makeups both retro and refined but all cut the original design down to this lower profile. There are two tonal colorways — a “Triple White” and “Triple Black” — and a vintage-indebted red/white/blue iteration that features pops of primary color atop the otherwise understated leather upper.
Classic NB branding graces the puffy tongue and heel, with an insole to match, while the hefty sole unit shares its shape with many a classic court kick. “Triple White” and “Triple Black” keep things extra quiet with only one shade, though patent leather on the “N” logo heightens the visual impact.
The three revived 480 colorways are available on New Balance Japan’s website for ¥11,000 JPY (approximately $100 USD) apiece and international stores like Mile End Kicks for $110 CAD (approximately $87 USD).
In the meantime, the 550 continues receiving head-turning makeups, including a new multicolored option.
