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New Balance’s Latest 2010 Variant Proves Carbon Fiber Works Just as Well on Sneakers

This collab with streetwear favorite DTLR are some of the coolest nighttime shoes we’ve seen in a while.

Pair of black New Balance sneakers with mesh and suede panels and reflective silver "N" logos on a purple gradient background.DTLR
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Ethan Brehm

By Ethan Brehm

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Ever since Nike dropped the Vaporfly 4% in 2017 and invented the modern super shoe category, pretty much every running brand has been implementing carbon fiber in their own footwear. However, the strong, lightweight material is typically only used on the interior of the midsole; you know it’s there but you don’t see it (with the occasional exception, of course). 

New Balance has also used carbon fiber plenty, from the very first 5280 to the current flagship FuelCell SuperComp Elite racing shoe. But with the latest version of its 2010 lifestyle sneaker, the brand has yet to really employ exposed carbon as an aesthetic element.

Pair of black New Balance sneakers with mesh and suede panels and reflective silver "N" logos on the sides.
New Balance and streetwear retailer DTLR collaborate on a 2010 variant that utilizes carbon fiber as an aesthetic detail.
DTLR

From cars to sneakers

Much like we’ve seen in the automotive and watch industries, where carbon fiber might get showcased front and center, New Balance has now done the same for its new silhouette. This time, it transitions from its running catalog to one of its most popular streetwear shoes in recent years: the 99X-inspired 2010.

Close-up of black New Balance sneaker tongue with silver logo and black-and-white patterned laces.
Typically carbon fiber is used on the underfoot plates on running shoes, but here the material is featured front and center.
DTLR

Luckily, the footwear icon doesn’t go overkill with the material. Exposed carbon can really only be seen embedded in the upper, right below the top of the laces and around the heel area, as well as at the side of the tongue.

Black New Balance sneakers with white "N" logo worn by a person sitting on a chair on a concrete floor.
Here you can see the reflective detailing across the upper.
DTLR

A new streetwear staple

This new variant is a collaboration with Baltimore-based streetwear retailer DTLR, known for its history of teaming up with New Balance. The carbon fiber complements the mostly-black aesthetic, with the suede and mesh upper almost entirely blacked-out (or at least colored in a very dark gray).

Close-up of the black New Balance sneaker heel with mesh, suede, and reflective silver logo detail.
While the upper is mostly black, there are some silver accents as well.
DTLR

We do get a touch of color with silver on the tongue, heel, toe and midfoot. The “N” logo also stands out in silver, featuring reflective 3M detailing for nighttime visibility. There’s plenty of other reflectivity elsewhere on the upper as well.

Lastly, the black stock laces are bespeckled with silver for an added effect.

Close-up of black New Balance sneaker with reflective silver "N" logo and black-and-white patterned laces.
Silver can also be found on the “N” logo.
DTLR

Availability and pricing

The New Balance 2010 “Carbon” is available right now from DTLR’s website. It’s priced at $145.

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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