Jaden’s Vision Racer is back for another go-around this March

Say it with me — New Balance scored big in 2020.

With the release of several heavy hitters throughout the year – be it collaborations or new silhouettes – New Balance has done so much this year despite the pandemic. From heritage releases such as the 992 or the 2002, or groundbreaking pairs such as 327 and this — their recent collaboration with brand ambassador Jaden Smith – the Vision Racer.

New Balance worked with Smith to design and conceptualize the Vision Racer. The vegan-friendly sneaker merges the brand’s classic design with Jaden’s unique, bold, and fashion-forward aesthetic into the Vision Racer. While some may still be on the fence with Smith’s style, you can’t deny his impact cutting across several facets, be it music, fashion, philanthropy, or environmental awareness.

“Shared values of transforming the status quo; staying true to oneself; giving back to community; and, respecting heritage while co-authoring a distinct future, are the foundation of the relationship between New Balance and Jaden Smith,” says Chris Davis, New Balance Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Merchandising.

Smith took design cues from his favorite New Balance models – the X-Racer and the classic 1700. With Jaden wanting a shoe that is environmentally friendly, some of the Vision Racer’s materials are partially recycled, such as the midsole, which is made of EVA Regrind. The shoe also uses a partially recycled insole – a dual density insert which consists of a foam in a heel carrier. The foam is made of a combination of 6% castor bean oil, 15% recycle foam, 5% recycled rubber and 74% virgin polyurethane. The heel carrier is then made from 98% post-production leftover foam and rubber.

For the shoe’s upper, the synthetic leather is made from PU layered onto a thin polyester base and acts as a vegan alternative to traditional leather. The polyester base is made of 60% recycled polyester. The upper textile, lining, tongue textile, and the small webbings are made of 100% recycled polyester. The large tongue webbing is 70% recycled polyester and 30% reflective yarns.

To complete the shoe’s design, there are reflective details on the tongue, N logo and upper piping. The shoe also features a rubberized tip for added durability, which makes the shoe good for skateboarding or other heavy duty uses. Lastly, ‘Vision’ is printed on the iced out outsole.

The New Balance Vision Racer drops this Saturday, March 6th, exclusively at Commonwealth. The shoe retails for Php 7,995.