We welcome back the chunky sole with New Balance’s latest irresistible investment shoe: the WRPD runner
New Balance is no stranger on the Nordic fashion scene. In fact, the brand's cult classics have long been staples in Scandinavian wardrobes (such as the 550s, previously spotted on regional tastemakers Elsa Hosk and Pernille Teisbaek.) It's a legacy continued with the brand's latest addition: the WRPD runner.
New Balance's newest model has all the retro flair required to become a fashion crowd favourite – set on a distinctively chunky sole. Introduced during Copenhagen Fashion Week, the brand could not have chosen a more pertinent or prominent moment to present its latest launch. As the style set descends on the Danish capital, we're bound to discover an array of chunky soles on the cobbled streets paired with the staple 'Copenncore' combination of a sweeping skirt and chunky knit sweater, of course.
The novel concept of the WRPD features nontraditional lines sculpted and exaggerated to grant the sneaker a contemporary edge. “The WRPD Runner is a new concept driven by the unique space where style and performance meet,” says Charlotte Lee, senior footwear designer at New Balance.
The fluid lines of the foam are blended with the abstract nature of futuristic design
Charlotte Lee, senior footwear designer at New Balance
The upper has a “refined focus on simplicity and quality,” Lee describes, whilst the sole is “a warped expression” of the brand’s pinnacle running technology, FuelCell. Speaking of the performance sole, Lee explains how “the fluid lines of the foam are blended with the abstract nature of futuristic design” in an effort to evoke a strong sense of movement. Coupled with medial stability post, forefoot cushioning, and an exaggerated crash pad design, it all adds to the appeal of this bound-to-be sell-out sneaker.
Launching with the brand’s classic ‘Sea Salt’ colourway, the WRPD runner will be available on newbalance.com and at select global retailers beginning August 16, 2023 with additional colorways launching in the coming months.
That said, keep your eyes peeled on the street style of Copenhagen’s fashion savvy crowd this week. We’re willing to bet that this silhouette is bound to make a star appearance.
