Moving Past the Panda Dunk? The New Balance 550 Appears in a Sleek Two-Tone Look

The black-and-white sneaker trend peaked during the Panda-demic, when Nike’s Dunk Low became the go-to choice foreveryone in 2021 and 2022. While that craze has died down in many parts of the world, it still lingers in some corners of the globe. Despite the fading momentum, the timeless appeal of monochrome sneakers remains strong, and New Balance is tapping into that enduring style with a fresh take on the 550.

This latest version of the classic basketball-turned-lifestyle silhouette keeps things simple yet refined, opting for full nubuck upper in black, accented by white hits on the midfoot N logo, heel branding, and tongue tag. Mesh paneling offers subtle textural contrast, while the clean white sole unit keeps the look balanced. Its no-fuss execution brings a premium feel to the two-tone aesthetic, making it a strong alternative for those looking to move past the Panda Dunk without straying too far from a classic black-and-white color scheme.

Expect this New Balance 550 to be released in Summer 2025 via New Balance and select retailers.

Stay tuned for more details via our New Balance Release Calendar as the year progresses.