Okay, so I’ve been seeing the Salehe Bembury x New Balance collab sneakers popping up everywhere, and I finally decided to try to snag a pair. Here’s how it went down.

The Hunt Begins
First, I started by checking all the usual spots – the New Balance website, some sneaker boutiques online, and a few resale platforms. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, you know? Some are sold out instantly, others have crazy markups.
Entering Raffles
I realized pretty quickly that just browsing wasn’t going to cut it. These things are hyped! So I started entering every raffle I could find. It was a lot of signing up for email lists, following accounts on social media, and generally just hoping for the best. Fingers crossed constantly!
The Waiting Game
This part is the worst. After entering all those raffles, it’s just a waiting game. You get email notifications – mostly telling you that you didn’t win. It’s kind of a bummer, but you gotta keep trying.
Scoring (or Not)
- Success (sometimes!): Every now and then, you get that glorious “You Won!” email. It’s a great feeling. Then you scramble to complete the purchase before the link expires.
- Failure (more often): Mostly, it’s a lot of “better luck next time” emails. It’s frustrating, but part of the game.
Resale Reality
If all else fails, you have to make the decision whether go for resale market or not. I checked out some of the prices, and let me tell you, they can get pretty steep. It all depends on how badly you want the shoes and if you’re able to pay that much.

My Personal Experience
Honestly, I’m still on the hunt for a specific pair. I’ve had some wins and some losses with other colorways. It is a rollercoster! I’ve learned that patience is key, and it’s also good to have a backup plan (like maybe settling for a different color or model). It’s all part of the sneakerhead life, I guess!
Good luck me!