Everything You Need To Know About The New Balance 471 Trainer
The New Balance 471 trainer is an "old meets new" retro runner that draws inspiration from the 320, which was first released at the height of the 1970s running boom.
If you're an avid reader of the 80s Casual Classics blog you will of heard us banging on about the running boom of the 1970s probably more than once. An era that marked a seismic shift in running trainer technology as the big sportswear brands battled it out on the tracks, going all in with sole innovation, comfort & stability. An iconic 70s running style of moustaches, short shorts & suede uppers was born with New Balance setting the benchmark thanks to the their "no fuss" approach to design, innovation & marketing. As much as trainer innovation may have changed over the last 50 years, there's still something very special about the original running silhouettes. Pioneering runners like the New Balance 320 trainer which completely revolutionised the running game & propelled the Boston born sportswear brand to the very top. It's the original 320 silhouette that now embarks on a new chapter courtesy of the New Balance 471 trainer, which harks back to the original running boom era of the 1970s.
Above: The New Balance 471 trainers in oregano/navy now available from 80s Casual Classics.
Originally released in 1976, the New Balance 320 trainer was the very first silhouette to feature their signature 'N' logo to the sidewalls. Named the number 1 trainer by Runner's World the same year it was released, the 320 catered for joggers, semi-pro athletes and those who ran for a living. Featuring lightweight nylon uppers with suede overlays in stereotypical 70s runner style, the 320 was famously worn by Tom Fleming who won the New York marathon in 1975 and would set the benchmark for further NB runners such as the Supercomp & the 327.
Above: The New Balance 471 trainers in phantom now available from 80s Casual Classics.
Drawing inspiration from the original 320 trainer, the 471 puts a modern spin on one of NB's most iconic silhouette of all time. Featuring mesh uppers with suede overlays & the signature 'fang' design from the 1970s to the toebox. Complete with a wedge shaped EVA midsole & an extra grippy zig zag rubber outsole which wraps to the heel in true retro style. Other highlights include oversized 'N' branding to the sidewalls & classic NB branding to the tongue tab. Available in a selection of colourways such as phantom, oregano & oxford blue the 471 is available now from 80s Casual Classics via the links above.