Levi’s® x New Balance MT580
Campaigns and Collaborations /
December 2023
Back in the early 1970’s, young men and women started riding their “klunker” paperboy bikes up and down the fire protection roads in the mountains of Marin County, California. It was here where mountain biking was born. With the steep, rocky, and unforgiving nature of this new terrain, those trailblazers adopted Levi’s® denim as their uniform based on its durability, protection, and timeless style. Inspired by these pioneers of mountain biking, Levi’s® and New Balance return with a new collection that utilizes durable Levi’s® denim on the classic New Balance MT580 silhouette.
Accompanying the new collection is a campaign video, following two cyclists as they embark on their respective journeys across different terrains. The content was shot on location in the Bay Area, featuring Angie Chavez riding through Twin Peaks and Lombard Street in San Francisco, Josh Matthews riding through the hills of Mount Tam in Marin County, and a special appearance from Charlie Kelly, regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the mountain bike.
Originally launched in the early 2000s, the newly reissued MT580 brings the iconic chunky silhouette back to life with its modernized trail design, featuring a slimmed down toe and reduced collar height combined with careful construction that faithfully recreates the original materials, compounds, and features. The Levi’s® x New Balance MT580 collection is offered in two distinct colorways, inspired by mountain bikes & apparel from that era. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 501® Jean, each shoe is integrated with Levi’s® signature Shrink-To-Fit™ denim.
The first pair from the new collection is offered in a Beige / Black. Crafted with hairy suede uppers, this colorway integrates washed black Levi’s® denim on the toe box and side panels, features a classic Levi’s® Red Tab and comes with three sets of interchangeable laces. The MT580 is equipped with ABZORB and C-Cap midsoles which absorb impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance, along with a ROLLBAR stability post system to help control rear foot movement for enhanced support.
The second pair is offered in Grey / Blue. Crafted with Nubuck uppers, this colorway integrates overdyed Levi’s® denim on the toe box and side panels, features a classic Levi’s® Red Tab and comes with three sets of interchangeable laces. The shoe is equipped with ABZORB and C-Cap midsoles which absorb impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance, along with a ROLLBAR stability post system to help control rear foot movement for enhanced support.
The Levi’s® x New Balance MT580 collection launches worldwide on December 6th, 2023 and will be available for purchase on L.com, app, selected Levi's®stores:
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Levi's® Hartenstraat: Hartenstraat 9, 1016 CA Amsterdam)
BERLIN, Germany (Levi’s®Memhardstraße 7, 10178 Berlin)
LONDON, UK (Levi’s® Soho -41 Great Marlborough St, Carnaby, London W1F 7RG)
MILANO, Italy (Levi's® LS Milano Gae Aulenti: Via Vincenzo Capelli, 1, 20124 Milano MI)
PARIS, France (Levi's® Store Champs Elysees: 76 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris)
