New Balance 550 Cream Black

80s basketball shape in a muted colorway

The New Balance 550 Cream Black is the most understated version of a model rooted in 80s basketball. The cream leather upper is perforated, which improves ventilation while breaking up the light-colored surface, and the black accents on the side panel and sole ensure the overall look isn't too bland. The silhouette is low and wide in the forefoot, with a prominent rubber sole, which is exactly the opposite of slim running shoes.

Fit and sizing

The interior is textile, so your foot sits in soft material, and the classic lacing allows you to tighten the midfoot just how you like it. The front part is relatively spacious, which will be appreciated by wider feet; a narrow foot may require a thicker sock or tighter lacing. New Balance sizing can differ from the shoes you wear on a daily basis, so before you choose your size, measure your foot length and compare it with our size guide. You can see available sizes in the selector above the description.

How to style them

Cream and black is a combination that works practically anywhere: light and dark jeans, sweatpants, summer shorts, or chinos for less casual outings. A low-top shoe of this type looks best with the pant leg ending just above the collar, as this shows off the shape of the sole. We have collected other colorways of this same silhouette in the New Balance 550 collection, and you can find the entire brand in our New Balance shoes section. For a broader overview, check out our shoes.

Before a pair goes on sale

We check every single item before listing it: the box, product code, stitching, glue, and sole. We do not sell replicas. We accept returns within 14 days; the cost of return shipping is covered by the buyer. Some of our assortment can be tried on at our partner store, SneakersJoint, located at Odrzańska 15 in Wrocław, and we have gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions in our FAQ.