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So far, we at Sneakertown headquarters have been remiss with alerting Portland's shoe buying public about cool limited releases. Today we take the first step in rectifying past wrongs.
On Saturday morning, downtown sneaker and streetwear boutique BAIT Portland will be releasing a very limited number of pairs of their most recent collaboration with Boston's New Balance: a modern, clean approach to the New Balance 791 Classic tennis shoe ($120) that marries classically restrained court aesthetics with contemporary detailing. In short, they aren't your dad's tennis shoes.
In long, the BAIT x New Balance 791 is coming to BAIT Portland in three colorways- white and metallic gold, black and metallic gold and Excalibur grey and metallic gunmetal. The collaboration will contrast a suede upper and a leather tongue with brushed metal and perforated leather takes on the New Balance "N" logo, set off with matching metallic foil accents on the tongue, heel and insole.
Interestingly, BAIT and New Balance are breaking sneaker rules by offering, via online raffle ($360), a nontraditional approach to this collaboration called the "Select" Programs. A collection of three pairs of the 791 Classic—powder white with gold and silver metals, black with gold and silver metals and Excalibur grey with gunmetal—the Select Programs is, functionally, nine pairs of asymmetric tennis shoes intended, according to BAIT, "to break the boundaries of how shoes can be worn and paired."
Why is this important? Only 300 pairs of each colorway is going to be available worldwide, and they can only be purchased through BAIT in store or online. Further, only 100 Select Programs will be made available. Portland is one of the seven West Coast cities with a physical BAIT store, making this a rare opportunity for aspiring collectors and those who wish to upgrade their dad's 608s to something a little more contemporary.
An employee at BAIT Portland told me that they are expecting to get pairs in all sizes in stock with a very limited number of the Select Program in stock should you be lucky enough to land one in the raffle. They are expecting a small line at opening and to sell out quickly. White and metallic silver and black and metallic silver colorways will also be available for purchase online via raffle.
For more information and photos of the BAIT x New Balance 791 Classic check out Baitme.com.
Buy: BAIT Portland, 818 SW Broadway, March 19, 11 am, BAIT x New Balance 791 Classic ($120) or enter the Select Program raffle ($360) here.
Willamette Week