New Balance T500

T500

In 1982, New Balance launched the Technology Transfer Court Collection. An innovative set of tennis apparel, it included a court-ready trainer called the T500, which was designed to offer outstanding sporting performance. Over four decades later, this elegant shoe returned as a casual lifestyle sneaker.

The upper of the New Balance T500 features a suave mix of plush suede and supple nubuck, with rows of perforations across the toe box for cooling ventilation. Finely crafted overlays secured by dual lines of stitching bring durability to the forefoot, quarter and heel, while the laces are held in place by a tongue loop, thus ensuring a snug fit.

Underfoot, the T500’s rubber cupsole delivers classic comfort through its soft polyurethane cushioning and carefully shaped footbed. A herringbone-style tread pattern makes the outsole extra-grippy, and a set of concentric circles have been added to the forefoot to facilitate smooth pivots. Meanwhile, lugs circumnavigate the entire sole for comprehensive, all-round traction, and the overall feel is beautifully lightweight, making it great for all-day wear.

Everything about the New Balance T500 exudes sophistication and style, from its luxuriously minimalist upper to its nostalgic cupsole and its vintage branding. This consists of a large N logo on each flank, New Balance text across the heel tab and a delicately embroidered tongue tag.

New York lifestyle brand Aimé Leon Dore helped relaunch the T500 in 2023 by producing three stylish colourways that perfectly encompass the refined aesthetic of traditional tennis footwear through clean white uppers and minimal hints of colour. The collaborative collection is remarkably versatile, as showcased by Grand-Slam-winning tennis star Coco Gauff in a classy campaign depicting her in various outfits ranging from sporty to casual and even formal.

The Aimé Leon Dore collaboration achieved huge success, leading to further designs as well as another partnership with contemporary Danish fashion label GANNI. Meanwhile, a series of general release colourways came out in March 2024, each with gracefully neutral tones. The launch was aided by Chris Cadaver, who appeared in a humorous short movie directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Francis Plummer. Entitled ‘Quiet Please’, it presents the multidisciplinary artist in a cosy room sheltered from the chaos of the world around him. He remains calm and unphased despite the noise outside, emphasising the “quiet luxury” expressed by the T500.

Since making its successful return in the early 2020s, the New Balance T500 has established itself as a meticulously crafted lifestyle sneaker with a timeless aesthetic forged by a blend of elegant retro features and subtle details. Thanks to its original performance design, it also offers fantastic comfort for everyday wear and is the perfect way to pay homage to tennis heritage in style.