The New Balance 480 Trainer Lands in Some Summer Colourways

The New Balance 480 trainer is an OG basketball court trainer from the 1980s & now arrives back at 80s Casual Classics in some updated summer colourways.

As much as we love to talk about the running trainer innovation from the 1970s and the 1980s, you still can't beat the classic court shoes. Built for the speedy courts of the NBA, the elite tennis circuit & the handball courts of West Germany, the classic court trainer is probably just about as 'casual' as it gets when it comes to footwear. With its influences from B-Boy culture from the the Bronx, basketball, break dancing & full tracksuits, the classic gum soled silhouettes pack more 80s nostalgia than your average shoe. As much as New Balance were probably more about running in the 1980s, they did dabble in other sports such as basketball. As street culture intertwined with the 'All American' sport, basketball trainers, or sneakers if you're on the other side of Atlantic, were absolutely massive. Nike gave us the Air Force 1 in 1982 and then the Air Jordan 1 in 1985. adidas gave us the Rivalry Hi in 1986 & Reebok gave us the Pump in 1989, which even featured an internal inflation mechanism. The New Balance 480 trainer was the Boston born brands' first venture into the world of basketball and now arrives back at 80s Casual Classics in some updated summer colourways.

Above: The New Balance 480 trainer in white/blue now available from 80s Casual Classics.

Following on from their success on the tracks with the likes of the 420 & the 620, the early 1980s also saw New Balance branching out onto the high speed courts of the NBA. The 480 trainer was NB's very first B-ball shoe. Originally made in Maine, the 480 first came on the scene in 1983. Worn by the likes of the seven time NBA All Star, James Worthy, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, the 480 featured a chunky EVA sole with perforations to the toe box for added breathability. Built for traction on the super speedy courts of the NBA, the 480 was originally available in Hi & Lo versions. The 480 would also lay the foundations for other classic NB basketball silhouettes from the 1980s such as the 550 from 1989 which was also recently revived courtesy of Teddy Santis & Aim' Leon Dore.

Above: The New Balance 480 trainer in white/blue now available from 80s Casual Classics.

Following on from the success of the 480's younger sibling the 550, the New Balance 480 trainer was revived from the NB archives back in 2021. The classic basketball trainer now arrives back at 80s Casual Classics for the latest season in a selection of summery colourways. The classic 80s B-ball trainer features crisp white leather uppers with suede overlays to the front & the heel. Other highlights include the original perforations to the toe box, a classic gum sole underfoot & the Boston brands world renowned 'N' logo to the sidewalls. Available in the original Lo version, the 480 is just about as good as it gets when it comes to classic court shoes from the 1980s. Shop the very latest New Balance trainer arrivals now at 80s Casual Classics via the links above.