New Balance's most shape-shifting shoe is back for a second round. TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance is releasing the Niobium Concept 1 in two new colorways, "LIGHT BROWN" and "TRIPLE BLACK," Hypebeast Japan reports. Both pairs pre-release on Saturday, October 24 at Dover Street Market Ginza's "Open House," then hit select stores worldwide starting Friday, October 30.
If you missed the first chapter: the Niobium Concept 1 sits on the sole unit from New Balance's MT801 trail runner and comes with two detachable upper pieces, an eVent waterproof bootie and a mule-style lining. Swap them around and the same pair works as a waterproof boot, an outdoor mule or an indoor slipper. The name comes from niobium, element 41 on the periodic table (symbol Nb, which is a little too perfect for a New Balance), a metal with a very high melting point and serious strength that can still take on all kinds of colors through surface treatment and be reshaped when it's worked. TDS New Balance, the brand's lifestyle line started in 2018 by a design team from the U.S. and Japan, first released the shoe in 2020 and brought it back in June 2026 for the first time since. This is the second drop of that return.
The new pairs keep the build that made the original so strange and so good: a stretch ripstop upper with bonded PU overlays, zips at the tongue and the heel, a neoprene collar, an EVA midsole and a rubber outsole. "LIGHT BROWN" is the seasonal one, sandy and soft enough to blend into any fall fit. "TRIPLE BLACK" follows the colors of the 2020 original, for people who want the shoe to look a little bit like tactical equipment.
Our take: most "3-in-1" products are bad at all three jobs. This one makes sense because the parts really are separate. You get a weatherproof boot for the walk to the train, a mule for errands, and a slipper for when you get home. Light Brown is our pick since a convertible shoe should look this easygoing, but Triple Black is the safer buy if you plan on actually stepping in puddles. Either way, it comes in its own custom shoebox, which you will need, because now you own three shoes' worth of parts.
The details: TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance Niobium Concept 1 "LIGHT BROWN" and "TRIPLE BLACK," ¥44,000 including tax in Japan, sizes 26.0 to 29.0 cm and 30.0 cm, with a custom shoebox. Pre-release Saturday, October 24 at Dover Street Market Ginza's Open House, then from Friday, October 30 at select stores worldwide. In Japan, Hypebeast lists T-HOUSE New Balance DSM Ginza, T-HOUSE New Balance, New Balance Roppongi 19:06, & Dice & Dice supported by TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance in Fukuoka, the New Balance online store and other TDS New Balance stockists. No U.S. price or U.S. retailers have been announced yet.
At ONENESS: We don't carry TDS New Balance. If you want an outdoorsy New Balance you can buy today, the Junya Watanabe MAN eYe x New Balance Rainier High in Beige is a hiking boot in a similar sandy tone, and it's in stock now. Shop more New Balance at ONENESS.
Photos and report via Hypebeast Japan.
Source: Hypebeast Japan, "TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance Niobium Concept 1 に2つの新色が登場" (Oct 20, 2026 JST; colorways, construction, niobium name origin, June 2026 reissue, ¥44,000 price, sizes, custom box, October 24 Dover Street Market Ginza Open House pre-release, October 30 worldwide release, Japanese retailer list, photos).
