The New Balance P400 Continues Its Rollout In “Permafrost”

New Balance used this past NBA All-Star Weekend to debut its revamped basketball lineup, seemingly sunsetting the Fresh Foam BB and Hesi Low lines to make way for the P400 and P350. Early feedback has been mixed, but that’s to be expected for a brand still finding its footing in the modern hoops space. It’s worth noting New Balance only re-entered performance basketball in 2019, and as always, every hooper’s foot and play style calls for something different.

For those curious about New Balance’s new direction, the P400 just landed in a crisp new “Permafrost” colorway. While Nike and adidas continue to lean into futuristic design language, New Balance is going the other way, channeling a distinctly retro feel reminiscent of Reebok hoops models from the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The P400 checks that box with ease, already drawing frequent comparisons to Allen Iverson’s Reebok Question line.

Initial impressions suggest the P400 runs a bit heavy and narrow, and may fall short of the top-tier traction guards typically look for. It is, however, one of the few modern basketball shoes offered in wide (2E) sizing, which is a meaningful plus. This “Permafrost” edition features a cow leather upper with suede hits around the collar, prioritizing material quality even if it comes at the expense of lightweight performance.

The New Balance P400 “Permafrost” is available now via New Balance for $130. Do note that New Balance has a pretty solid return policy if these don’t end up being a good fit.