I have to admit that the MT580 has lost some of it's luster over the last few years for me. That has little to do with a quality release like this one and everything to do with the inept and downright cheap approach that New Balance USA has taken to marketing it's wide releases. Bad design, lame colorways and all around cheaply manufactured materials have marred what had once been New Balance's premier Sneakerhead silhouette. And yes, I am talking about the initial American rollout of the MT580 in the states. They fucked it up big time! So much so that I know of more than one New Balance shop that simply chose to stop carrying anything other than technical runners and cross trainers from their own brand! Here's hoping that going forward in 2011 New Balance can regain some of that quality and bring the MT580 back stronger than ever.
An internationally popular model in the New Balance stable of sneakers, the MT580 Gore-Tex shoe has earned its following over the years, and this new Gore-Tex model is sure to continue that trend. A mix of solid and perforated leather on the uppers and a natural gum-rubber sole (I love gum soled shoes!!) with contrasting linings, this shoe has a lot going on.
Available February 2011 at Mita.
