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New Balance 1530 WPB Review

By Anthony Levine, longtime sneaker collector.

The last pair of NB I picked up were a newer model as well. This time, I’m showing off the New Balance 1530 WPB.

New Balance 1530 WPB On Feet WDYWT
Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!

The WPB stands for the colorway – White/Pink/Blue. The 1530 is a “new” model based on the 1500, created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1500 (released originally in 1989).

These switch up the midsole and some other aesthetics from the 1500 on which they are based. The biggest change is probably the REVLite midsole which reduces the weight of the shoe significantly. These ship with white and grey sets of laces and the typical NB hangtag but otherwise do not sport any other extras.

This model was created for a very specific point in time, the 1530 name itself indicates that this will be the only year they are making the model. My advice is to grab a pair if you are feeling them, as I’m not sure when we’ll see something exactly like this again.

How Are The Materials?

For a Made In England pair of New Balance, the shoe’s quality is hit and miss. The pink suede is definitely a hit; it’s very soft, lush and gives a colorchange when you rub against the grain. The navy and grey bits of suede are more of a nubuck/microfiber type of material and do not give off the same quality vibe as the pink areas of the shoe. Finally, the white leather used is just average, nothing really to speak of there. So overall, I would say the materials are good, but not great on this particular model. Rather, I was expecting more based on their origins in the Flimby factory in the UK.

How Do They Fit?

These New Balance 1530 are comfy at my true NB size which is half down from my Nike size. Whereas I’d get a 10 in Jordan 1s, I opt for a 9.5 with these. These definitely give that snug retro runner fit that I love at that size. And the profile yields a satisfyingly pointy toebox; the looks on this shoe can’t be denied! The REVLite makes these even lighter and more comfy than many other NB’s with older tech in the midsole. Overall these are easy and comfortable to wear.

Where To Cop the New Balance 1530

As of the writing of this article, you can find them on eBay

Colorway: White/Pink/Blue
Style Code: M1530WPB
Year of Release: 2019
MSRP: $190