New Balance is no stranger to having its running footwear co-opted as lifestyle sneakers by style-savvy consumers, but basketball shoes are a far tougher egg to crack — and that goes for any brand. And yet, the Boston-based sportswear manufacturer may have stumbled upon just that with its newest hoops offering.
The New Balance P400, due at retail next Wednesday, Feb. 11, has the making of the brand’s latest lifestyle crossover. It’s a fully capable performance basketball shoe, equipped with a dual-cushioned EVA foam and Fresh Foam X combination, a nylon shank plate and a TPU-structured upper.
It’s also strikingly stylish for a modern day basketball model with a subtle retro aesthetic thanks to its mid-cut height and details such as its off-centered tongue branding and cream-colored shoelaces. It looks like a shoe that could have been released in the 2000s, but it’s equipped for today’s game.
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The P400 also has some early legitimate fashion cred thanks to its fall 2026 Junya Watanabe Man collaboration. Seen at Paris Fashion Week in tonal triple-black and triple-white looks, the Japanese designer’s take on the upcoming model featured a seamless molded construction and premium leather.
While it ultimately remains to be seen how the P400 will perform at retail, New Balance has had great success with many of its recently introduced models, particularly in the lifestyle category. Its 204L model is one of the most popular low-profile sneakers on the market, and the futuristic Abzorb 2000 and retro-inspired 2010 have also been popular.
The New Balance P400 retails for $130 will arrive in Black/Inkwell (style code UFFBB3YC), Black/Team Red (style code UFFBB8JD) and Black (style code UFFBB816) colorways on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. ET from newbalance.com and select retailers.
