Even the most devoted of New Balance acolytes would readily admit that basketball is, typically, not the first sport that springs to mind with New Balance footwear. But that state of affairs only serves to enhance the renegade aura of 1989's 550 basketball silhouette. 

Besides, everywhere you looked in the basketball world, 1989 was a year ripe for upsetting the established order. In both the college and pro games, as the traditional powers of the '80s reached the end of a life cycle, and the new order of the '90s had yet to fully take shape, the door was wide open for previously unglamorous locales like UNLV, Seton Hall, Portland and most especially Detroit to crash the party. 

With its subtly rounded silhouette, the 550 offered a streamlined approach to the substantial, heavy duty looks of late '80s basketball design, with a chunky, wide bodied 'N' and bouncing basketball graphic adorned tongue putting an in-your-face, era appropriate stamp of approval on things.

After being reintroduced in late 2020 via limited-edition collaborations, the 550 makes a welcome return to the active roster in 2021.  

This product is considered a Quickstrike (QS). All QS, limited edition, and brand collaboration products are final sale.