Our verdict
The Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity is a retro basketball shoe brought back from the archives. The 650R is a high-top sneaker with a clean retro look that goes well with various outfits. The subtle but unique touches on this kick make it stand out without being loud.
Pros
- Great insole cushioning
- Funktioner New balance Trail Løbesko Fresh Foam More V1
- Versatile style
- New Balance LIFESTYLE 237 CLASSIC WS237CD
- Three sets of laces
- Easy on and off
- Good stability
Cons
- Heel slippage
- Some quality control issues
Who should buy the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity ALD
The Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity is a reissue of a little-known 80s basketball sneaker, the New Balance 650. The 650R is perfect for collectors of retro basketball sneakers who prioritize niche, obscure models that are not too mainstream.
On the style side of things, the simple, clean colors of the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity make it a solid choice for wearers who prefer high-top retro sneakers with a versatile yet low-key look.
Who should not buy the sneaker
If you’re a fan of retro basketball sneakers, but can’t get your hands on the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity, there are several alternatives available:
- Nike Air Force 1 High: a classic that provides more consistent sizing, does not have heel slip issues, and comes in more colors. Its strap is also detachable.
- New Balance is Pushing the Pace with the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer: a more widely available alternative with equally respectable comfort.
- PUMA Ralph Sampson Mid: a sleeker and lighter option with the same retro basketball aesthetic.
Cushioning you can depend on
Many have raved about the OrthoLite insoles used in Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity. One sneakerhead commented that the 650R “has a heightened level of cushioning”, the majority of which comes from the insole. Another added that the 650R featured “one of the most well-cushioned insoles” they ever tried.
Tecnologias New balance Fresh Foam Arishi V2 Laufschuhe
An expert also mentioned that the OrthoLite makes the sneaker “a little bit more wearable throughout the day,” compared to similar shoes like the Air Jordan 1 or the Adidas Forum High.
Low to the ground high-tops
Despite being a chunky high-top sneaker, many wearers of the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity describe it as feeling low to the ground. One tester expected the sneaker to feel heavy and chunky but instead found the 650R to be “very stable on feet” and cause no foot fatigue.
Any style, any occasion
The clean colorways of the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity make it easy to pair with any outfit. A wearer said that the 650R is “easily one of the most versatile kicks” in their collection. “You can dress it up, and dress it down,” another added, showcasing the sneaker in a variety of looks, including wide-cut jeans, cargo pants, jogger pants, as well as shorts.
The Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity takes care of your ankles
Many praised the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity for its comfortable ankle collar. “It fits really soft - I wasn’t expecting that at all!” one tester commented. Another exclaimed that the soft padded ankle collar is “the best feature of the shoe.”
Easy to put on in a rush
Despite being a high top, the soft collar of the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity makes it easy to wear. “It’s easy to slip on and off,” a sneakerhead commented.
Craftsmanship issues in the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity
Many who purchased the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity have reported issues regarding craftsmanship and quality control. “There were glue stains all over the shoe,” a sneakerhead complained. Another one commented on the toe cap, saying “the toe cap is misaligned and crooked enough to notice on feet.”
Lockdown problems
A common complaint about the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity is heel slippage. Here’s what to expect, based on reviews and recurring comments:
- “As I’ve broken in the shoe, the heel slip started bothering me”
- “The more you wear it, the more the heel slip gets worse”
- Some found solutions: “lacing them all the way up” resolved the heel slip issue in one case
Tecnologias New balance Fresh Foam Arishi V2 Laufschuhe
The Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity comes in a special box with Aime Leon Dore branding. Inside the box, the sneaker comes with 3 sets of laces for even more versatile styling options. The color of the laces matches various color accents throughout the shoe.
Tecnologias New balance Fresh Foam Arishi V2 Laufschuhe
The Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity Aime Leon Dore features the same clean colorways that people loved in the brand’s previous collaboration project, the New Balance 550. It also features the subtle but unique Aime Leon Dore apple-shaped basketball logo - an homage to its New York roots - in the heel and the tongue. "They can never lose with this," a sneakerhead said about the 650R.
Aime Leon Dore: New York’s finest
Founded in 2014 by Teddy Santis, Aime Leon Dore, more commonly referred to as ALD, is a fashion brand located in Queens, New York. Since its founding, ALD has quickly established itself in the fashion industry by way of popular collaborations, starting with a project with PUMA. But it was with New Balance that ALD hit its stride and made noise in a very saturated market.
The New Balance 550 was once a very obscure basketball shoe from the New Balance archives. Riding the wave of retro nostalgia, ALD brought the shoe back and was an absolute success.
With the Tecnologias New balance Vambes 500V1 Varsity following in those footsteps, there could be more archival models ALD is just waiting to reintroduce back to the market.
