There's now a barefoot option for 550s
The Barebarics Arise takes design cues from New Balance's trendy retro basketball sneaker
Barebarics shared a video on their Instagram today announcing a new sneaker called “Arise,” and they're going on my list of barefoot dupes of popular shoes as a New Balance 550 option.
The Arise has similar L-shaped, quarter-to-eyestay panels to the 550's. I think these panels are a defining characteristic of 550s, it's the panel that has the model number embossed. Ventilation patches are in the "550" spot on the Arise. The Arise also has a number: the year "1995" embroidered on the counter. According to Barebarics footwear designer, Màrio Zafka, the year 1995 marks the peak of the style of sneakers that were produced at that time.
The Arise comes in three colorways: green, black, or “raspberry pink” to accent the mostly white shoe. The edge of the L-shaped panel, the lining, and the sole bottoms are this accent color.
550s are kind of like a low mid-top or a high low-top, and the Arise has a relatively high collar to match.
Looking at 550s side by side with the Arise, you can see these similarities, but you can also see that 550s stand out because of their everything else. They've got panels on panels of suede, smooth leather, perforated leather, and even rubber, an inset logo, both curves and angles, a luggy sole with exposed foam at the instep. There’s so much to them, but everything has its place.
Still, the Arise is a solid option, and you can get them at barebarics.com.