New Balance looks to the future with the retro-inspired XC-72

Over the last 2+ years, we’ve seen New Balance release a mix of silhouettes from their archive as well as taking some others from the list to create new ones moving forward. They’ve dubbed the latter the Shifted collection, which features their last two hits – the 327 and 237 – as well as their latest release, the XC-72. The all-new silhouette comes in three colorways this October.

Just like the other two silhouettes from the collection, the XC-72 definitely takes designs from silhouettes from the 70s such as the XC15, 375 and the 620, all giving us that retro runner vibe, but repurposed enough to fit today’s sneaker vibe. The shoe features a mix of leather and suede, something the brand has done well across the board. New Balance looks to the futrue with a deeper commitment to sustainable production, the XC-72 uses materials that are less harmful to people and the environment.

“The XC-72 is the physical embodiment of retro-futurism,” said XC-72 designer Charlotte Lee. “As with the 327, I asked myself ‘if I was a designer in the 70’s what would I create as new balance’s concept car?’. I took inspiration and specific elements from the past and reimagined them for today’s consumer. This methodology creates a timeless design that we hope will be reimagined, yet again, in another 40 years.” 

If you were to put the XC-72 under a microscope to figure out where the silhouette borrowed its parts, here’s what’s under the hood:

• the XC-72 uses the 620’s herringbone traction pattern on its outsole
• the studded pattern comes from the 375
• the vertically split outsole was taken from the XC15

The New Balance XC-72 drops this October in three colorways and will retail for Php 5,995. Head on over to Commonwealth and Sole Academy to pick up these pairs.