Before going on to create adidas Yeezy icons like the 700 and Foam Runner, Steven Smith earned the title “the godfather of dad shoes” through his work with New Balance in the late 80s. Smith was only with the Boston brand for two years, but his impact was huge, designing a number of silhouettes we now revere as iconic in the 574, 997, and for our purposes, the 1500.
A longstanding pillar of New Balance’s Flimby, UK factory, the Made in England silo here takes on a low-key “Vaporous Grey” colorway made from mesh and premium leather and suede. The branding maintains the shoe’s unassuming identity in white, while subtle brown accents appear on the tongue and midsole.
The New Balance 1500 “Vaporous Grey” is due out Spring 2026 in men’s sizes. The model generally retails for around $230 to $250 due to its premium construction. See official images below if you’re a fan.
