The thin-soled sneaker trend isn’t slowing down yet. After the smash success of its 530 SL collaborations with Italian fashion label Miu Miu, New Balance has readied a similar in-line look that’s set to be released soon.
While the upcoming New Balance 204L isn’t quite as pared down as Miu Miu’s bare bones 530 SL, it’s hard to deny the similarities between the two silhouettes. The first 204L colorway to leak features a multi-layered tan suede upper in a low cut with an appropriately low-profile sole. It doesn’t have the same razor thin look as Miu Miu’s 530 SL, and the bottom of the 204L has a dedicated midsole, but it’s a slimmer-than-usual sole nonetheless.
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Miu Miu and New Balance debuted their first collaboration, an Italian-made 574 sneaker, during spring 2022. The two brands then introduced the ultra-flat 530 SL in February 2024
New Balance currently offers other low-profile looks including the 471, RC42 and MT10O, but none are as undeniably Miu Miu-adjacent as the 204L pictured here.
Thin-soled models of varying degrees have been a major trend over the last few seasons and the hype doesn’t appear to be dying down any time soon. From extreme examples like Loewe and Louis Vuitton’s ballerina sneakers to revamps of classic shoes like the Adidas Stan Smith, many brands are putting considerable resources behind the low-to-the-ground look.
As of publishing, New Balance has not announced launch details for the 204L, but the sneaker is listed as coming soon at overseas retailers for 129.99 euros, which converts to roughly $149 — far more palatable than the $1,120 retail price of the Miu Miu 530 SL. Readers can expect to learn more details about the upcoming New Balance 204L model soon.