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Blessing the month with quickly sold-out classics.

The 7 best New Balance drops from May.

Ok, you know that 2020 was a big one for New Balance. But what about 2021?

After Teddy Santis started his creative direction at NB, we can already see fresh drops waves not only with Aime Leon Dore but with other high-profile collaborations and tasteful reworkings.

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But can you pick a favorite from the May drops? Dive into our 7 picks right here 👇.

Aime Leon Dore’s New Balance 550

With a good reason for being the first on our list, this drop — which you already saw here — continues hitting the right spot when it comes to the very successful collaboration between ALD and NB.

This re-release that happened before May even began, on April 23rd, was quite a spoiler of the hyped drops of the month. For US$130, the colorway plays with spring and vintage inspirations with an aged look to the midsoles and a full leather upper that gives a deluxe feel to the design.

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The New Balance 550 Sea Salt Pack

Released on May 7th, this three colorways options pack explores the recent resurfacing of the classic silhouette from '89 (thanks to Aimé Leon Dore) and creates new possibilities to the casual yet very coveted design.

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This exact silhouette creates the high-quality leather construction NB knows how to work on while keeping a vintage sensibility. Last week, the brand released three options for the Sea Salt pack: black, yellow, or burgundy for US$120. Can you pick a favorite from this classic?

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The New Balance 670 Made In UK Camper

Appearing in a familiar Camper Nike Dunk colorway, this timeless design fuses premium leather, textured suede, and nubuck in a construction with at least 35% of the upper made of surplus stock materials. Classic aesthetics.

Released on May 8th, the pair was available for US$220.

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Slam Jam x New Balance 991

Self-described as "clothing and attitude for the global underground," Italian brand Slam Jam reworked the New Balance 991 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the silhouette.

Slam Jam's signature dark aesthetics embrace a premium suede that fits so well the '00s model. This was not Slam Jam first collab with NB, they had already joined forces back in 2019 for an ultra-limited 990v3 named Unfinished.

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Released on May 13th in selected retailers, the pair is up for US$250. Check the details of the sold-out pair on SJ's webstore.

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New Balance 998s MADE Responsibly

Going a bit different from the classic-like drops we've been seeing, this is New Balance's second take on their MADE Responsibly program. Wrapped on the 998 silhouette, the three designs are made of a combo of both new and surplus materials. Nothing goes to waste during NB's Earth Month celebration.

This conscious approach thru creation continues to explore the endless possibilities a single piece of leather can offer while making each pair unique — 'cause you can never know which surplus leather piece you're gonna get. The guarantee is that it's gonna be exclusive.

Released on May 1st, each pair was sold for US$180.

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MTA x New Balance 920

Released on May 8th on Dover Street Market’s webstore, this unique collab is not with any brand whatsoever. NB got together with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for a fresh take on the 920 design inspired by New York's subway.

Made in the UK, this pair with New Balance's signature grey colorway is to be worn on the streets of New York. Like merging two historical entities in fresh suedes and both the American and Union Jack flags on the laces.

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New Balance 574 & 57/40 Grey Day

To finish off our list, nothing better than the Grey Day celebration. NB's fictional holiday — much like Nike's Air Day — celebrates what the brand's signature look has to offer.

The neutral tone so well explored on the sneakers' mixes of leathers and suedes got its versions on the 574 and 57/40 silhouettes. And even tho both of them already had a take on grey tones, neither had been paid this much attention at NB's holiday before. The 57/40 is dropping today (May 15th) for US$100, so keep your eyes peeled for it on the brand's store.

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New releases aside, do you know what are the most valuable sneakers of all time?

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