After first appearing on Issey Miyake‘s spring/summer 2024 fashion show in Paris last October, the Japanese brand’s first tie-up with New Balance has a release date.
Dubbed the Issey Miyake × New Balance MT10O, the debut project between the two brands was created in collaboration with Issey Miyake designer Satoshi Kondo, who was inspired by the concept of “sensuous physicality and barefoot mobility.”
According to Issey Miyake, the collaboration is based off New Balance’s MT10 trail running series designed to provide the sensation of running barefoot while offering protection and traction for off-road running.
The style is part of New Balance’s Minimus series, which emphasizes minimal cushioning and a close-to-ground experience. First introduced in 2011, this model was developed in response to a growing interest in closer to barefoot running experiences and technology, aligning with the trend of minimalist running shoes at that time.
Looking closely at the design of the collaborative MT10 sneaker, the insole features a co-branded logo. The upper combines lightweight, breathable mesh with supple premium leather, and is equipped with thin cord-like shoelaces. The vamp strap and foxing use abrasion-resistant rubber, while the outsole features protruding shapes to enhance traction on various terrains utilizing rubber made by Vibram. The sneaker will be sold with a special shoe case and an original shoe box.
What’s also important to note is that the shoe has a snug fit, designed to help prevent movement of the foot inside the shoe on uneven terrain. Plus, the oblique shaped NL1 last, with a wide toe box, allows for spreading and movement of the toes, and the low drop design of 4mm allows for a midfoot strike.
Issey Miyake is a frequent footwear collaborator. In the past, the Japanese fashion brand has teamed up with the likes of United Nude and Native Shoes on previous footwear drops. This new sneaker adds to New Balance’s extensive collaborative footwear portfolio that already includes top brands like Miu Miu, Auralee, Junya Watanabe, Aimé Leon Dore and more.
The Issey Miyake × New Balance MT10O sneaker will be sold in three colorways – white, black and blue green – and will be available at select stores in Japan on Wednesday, May 15, and at select stores worldwide from Friday, June 14.
