The New Balance 530 x Salehe Bembury Prosperity Be The Prize—also known as the “Bamboo” colorway—continues Salehe’s run of standout collaborations with New Balance over the past few years.
he New Balance 530 originally launched in the early 1990s as a lightweight neutral runner and has since evolved into a lifestyle favorite. Inspired by a hike through bamboo forests, the palette symbolizes sky peeking through tree canopies and flashes of surrounding vegetation. Signature Salehe touches include the fingerprint-pattern “N” logo, a discrete name tag near the heel, co-branded tongue badge, and a cork insole stamped with his fingerprint NB logo.
I had been wanting a pair of 530s for the rotation, and grabbing a Salehe collab for $77 shipped directly from his site made the decision easy. A collab pair and a token 530 for the collection? Perfect. I’m loving the mostly yellow base with those oddball red and green accents—quirky in the best way.
These come in a co-branded box with bamboo-inspired graphics and arrive laced with yellow oval laces.
Materials
The upper mixes breathable mesh with suede and synthetic overlays, giving it a more premium feel than typical GR 530s. It’s not “Made in USA” levels of luxury, but the materials and construction are very solid—especially at the price I paid. Overall, a great quality-to-cost ratio.
Fit & Comfort
The 530 fits roomy at true to size, offering a comfortable everyday ride. The ABZORB midsole delivers balanced cushioning – similar but firmer in feel vs a similarly positioned sneaker like the Asics Gel-1130, and plenty comfy for all-day wear.
If these are sold out at different stores online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: Yellow / Green
Style Code: MR530PR
Retail Price: $130
Year of Release: 2024