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New Balance has been on a wave over the past couple years thanks to popular silhouettes like the retro 550, the classic 990 series, and futuristic 9060. The Boston-based footwear company is now adding another hit to the list, the WRPD Runner.
As the name implies, the WRPD Runner features a design that warps and distorts New Balance’s familiar running designs, creating a futuristic interpretation of retro running models in the process. This new lifestyle silhouette features hairy suede overlays with oval-shaped cutouts that create windows that reveal the knit mesh base underneath. Underfoot, the midsoles feature soft sculpted FuelCell technology with a medial stability post and forefoot cushioning, as well as an exaggerated crash pad design in the heel. The fluid, warped design also extends onto the outsole with its wavy tread pattern.
“The WRPD Runner is a new concept driven by the unique space where style and performance meet,” says Charlotte Lee, senior footwear designer at New Balance. “The upper has a refined focus on simplicity and quality whilst the sole is a warped expression of our pinnacle running technology, FuelCell. The fluid lines of the foam are blended with the abstract nature of futuristic design, evoking a strong sense of movement.”
The New Balance WRPD Runner makes it debut in a clean “Sea Salt” on Wednesday, August 16th, dropping on NewBalance.com and at select retailers. Additional colorways will release in the coming months. Check out the pair below.
New Balance WRPD Runner “Sea Salt”
Color: Sea Salt/Sandstone-Blacktop
Style Code: UWRPDMOB
Release Date: August 16, 2023
Price: $150 USD
New Balance Warped Runner (2023) pic.twitter.com/tYa09hzJHH
— Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) July 8, 2023