Maya Ernest and Edgar Alvarez Barajas

Style

Wearing New Balance’s Casablanca XC-72: A race car for your feet

The plush, vintage-inspired sneaker offers exceptional comfort without sacrificing unique design.

New Balance x Casablanca XC-72 sneaker
Maya Ernest / Input

Casablanca continues to churn out elegant renditions of New Balance sneakers, and the new XC-72 model is no exception. Inspired by luxury sports cars often seen decorating Monaco’s winding roads, the co-branded shoe evokes a feeling of wonder with details taken from vintage archives and modern design.

Maya Ernest / Input

The XC-72 sports a unique split-sole unit, boasting three separate outsole tread patterns reminiscent of heritage New Balance models and sports care tires. Charlotte Lee, New Balance’s footwear designer, told Input the XC-72 was the only time she’d ever seen a three outsole design on a shoe get to production.

Maya Ernest / Input

A triangular midsole continues the car theme, mimicking tail pipes, while a racing stripe accents the outsole.

Maya Ernest / Input

Up top, suede and perforated leather panels give the sneaker a layered look. Casablanca’s signature orange and green colors — or racing-inspired red and yellow shades, depending on what model you get — hit New Balance branding on the sides and tongue of the shoe.

Maya Ernest / Input

With a hefty sole unit, the XC-72 sneaker is easily one of New Balance and Casablanca’s most comfortable shoes. Branded as a “sports car for your feet,” the shoe gives your feet the same feeling as sitting within a luxurious racing vehicle (or one can imagine).

Maya Ernest / Input

Casablanca and New Balance have masterfully crafted a sneaker that manages to be chunky and sleek, balancing both dad shoe trends and polished ‘70s design. Charaf Tajer, Casablanca’s creative director, told Input this density embodies the “intellectuality” of the New Balance brand. Certainly, the XC-72 was a smart move on both labels’ behalfs.

Maya Ernest / Input

While most sizes of the New Balance x Casablanca XC-72 sneakers are sold out, you can find a few lingering pairs at their $150 retail price at SSENSE, Concepts, and Notre. Much like the racing cars they’re modeled after though, the shoes move fast and won’t be around for long.

Maya Ernest / Input

And, in case the green-and-orange color mix isn’t for you, New Balance and Casablanca also designed a yellow-and-red pair that’s pretty fantastic, too.

Edgar Alvarez Barajas / Input

Ultimately, NB’s XC-72 Casablanca sneaker is so, so good that you can’t go wrong with either color.

RACE TIRE INSPO

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