Stray Rats x New Balance 580 Mystic Purple

The original 580 was popular because of its good looks, historic because it introduced the concept of collaborations, and legendary because it was nearly impossible to obtain a pair outside of Japan. In fact, unless you were plugged into the early days of internet sneaker culture, you probably wouldn’t have known the shoe existed at all. Stray Rats, a brand with lifelong connections to different subcultures, offer their own take on the iconic 580. Upper construction featuring nubuck and glossy nylon is outfitted in a blend of vibrant fluorescent shades and muted earth tones, inspired by the aesthetic conventions of 2007, the year the 580 debuted stateside. The unique color combinations pay tribute to the era of digital camera photos of sneaker collections, uploaded to message boards and forums, by evoking rare colorways set against home interior backgrounds.