# Sporty Hemp Shoes New Balance Released the Sporty New Balance 550 Hemp Model By Kalin Ned | Published 2023-05-02 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hemp-shoe1 References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2023/3/new-balance-550-hemp-release-info-bb550mda) & [mary-magazine](https://www.mary-magazine.com/lifestyle-culture/the-new-balance-550-receives-a-hemp-construction/) Sportswear giant New Balance is joining the hemp shoe craze by reimagining a popular silhouette with a full textile reconstruction. The model in question is the New Balance 550 which is usually characterized by "leather tooling." However, the new model prioritizes a hemp upper with mesh tongues and suede detailing. The shoe is mostly [monochromatic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1000-model), with the exception of the New Balance branding and the 550 embroidery on the side. The New Balance 550 Hemp construction is part of a recent New Balance pattern that sees the brand "[straying away from sporting-fueled colorways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/574-mushroom)" and looking to embrace something more elegant and inconspicuous. Hemp shoes are known to be sustainable footwear options that do not compromise performance. As a material, hemp is a naturally durable fiber that is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, breathable, and quite comfortable. Image Credit: New Balance, [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2023/3/new-balance-550-hemp-release-info-bb550mda), [mary-magazine](https://www.mary-magazine.com/lifestyle-culture/the-new-balance-550-receives-a-hemp-construction/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 95% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 15% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hemp Footwear:** The rise of hemp footwear presents opportunities for companies to showcase their commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. - **Alternate Textile Reconstruction:** The trend towards using sustainable and eco-friendly textiles presents opportunities for companies to reinvent classic silhouettes with a fresh twist. - **Sustainable Sportswear:** There is a growing trend towards sustainable sportswear that combines performance with eco-friendliness; companies can leverage this trend by creating new athletic footwear lines with sustainability in mind. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry can leverage the hemp shoe trend by embracing sustainable and eco-friendly materials and showcasing their commitment to sustainable fashion. - **Sportswear Industry:** The sportswear industry can leverage the trend towards sustainable sportswear by creating new athletic footwear lines that prioritize sustainability without compromising performance. - **Textile Industry:** The trend towards alternate textile reconstruction presents opportunities for the textile industry to develop new, sustainable materials that can be used to create footwear and other products that are eco-friendly and high-performing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collegiate-Inspired Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/550-sneaker-4.md) - [Patent Leather Logo Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/550-silhouette.md) - [Monochromatic Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/back-in-black.md) - [Patent Leather Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patent-leather-update.md) - [Hemp Fabric Crafted Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keen-x-gramicci.md) - [Earthy Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abzorb-2010.md) - [Neutral Technical Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linen-colorway-1.md) - [Green Textural Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-suede-colorway.md) - [Hybrid Breathable Sneaker Loafers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906l-magnet.md)