FIGS and New Balance are no strangers to one another. The medical scrubs brand and Boston-based shoemakers have been in cahoots since 2019, which ultimately proved to be an ideal partnership as a result of what came to fruition in 2020. Having revamped a handful of NB sneakers for healthcare workers’ additional protection in the past couple of years, the resourceful lifestyle brand has now given the 57/40s a worthy makeover.
The unisex sneaker’s upper is composed of a breathable mesh underlay that’s accented by premium suede throughout. Considering these are intended to provide healthcare workers with the utmost protection, they feature an antimicrobial insole and interior lining to ensure an added measure of safety in these rather unpredictable times. Plus, they’ve been rounded out with a water-repellent finish on the upper, which extends to the water-repellent laces.
For additional practicality, these 57/40s are accented with reflective details that ensure “night-shift visibility.” To finish things off, the sneakers sit on a grippy rubber outsole to provide optimized traction, making running from one patient to another much easier. Accounting for the times we live in, it’s only right for brands to bring a fashionable touch to healthcare workers’ wardrobes.
Luckily, these shoes are stylish in their own right, but the extra defense from germs makes them a pair that anyone should consider nowadays — hospital worker or not. The latest collab between New Balance and FIGS is available on the latter’s website for $138.
