While New Balance was once a brand that was reserved for the less fashion-conscious amongst us, that couldn’t have changed more over the last six years. The Boston-based footwear label has been constantly on the rise and is now sitting comfortably next to some of the world’s most revered brands. Favoured by sneakerheads and fashion fans alike, New Balance has comfortably entered the big league, creating sell-out sneakers and teaming up with hyped brands such as JJJJound, Stone Island and WTAPS. But just how familiar are you with the New Balance lineup?
While many of New Balance’s most iconic sneakers have been around for a hot minute, there’s also some new contenders that are performing incredibly well. Manufacturing sneakers across the USA, the UK and multiple locations in Asia, New Balance simply knows how to make a great pair of sneakers. Join us today as we check out the five best New Balance silhouettes of all time!
New Balance 990
Easily one of the most iconic pairs in this list, the New Balance 990 is one of the greatest designs to ever leave Boston. While the model may have undergone various different transformations throughout its life span (we’re currently on the 6th rendition), the 990 first hit stores in 1982, proving itself to be an instant success. Aimed at the casual runner, the kicks sports a classic grey colourway and quickly transcended into the lifestyle market. Now a staple amongst sneakerheads, we’ve seen many special-edition 990 releases, including collaborations with the likes of Action Bronson, KITH and Engineered Garments.
New Balance 550
Originally marketed towards basketball players and perhaps New Balance’s answer to Air Jordan sneakers, the 550 was designed by none other than Steven Smith. More recently famed for his work with Yeezy, Smith is a master of footwear design and knows a thing or two about crafting timeless kicks. Returning to the market in 2020, the New Balance 550 has proved itself once again and has remained popular for over four years now, with countless retro-inspired colourways hitting sneaker stores around the globe.
New Balance 997
Another Steven Smith-designed sneaker makes our list, this time in the form of the New Balance 997. Launched in 1990 as part of the 99X series, the kicks were aimed at the casual running market, however soon picked up traction with sneaker enthusiasts thanks to the neat “wedge” side profile of the model. The obsession with the silhouette has continued well into the present, as the 997 is still hugely-popular today, perhaps thanks to collaborative efforts with serious industry players such as Aimé Leon Dore, Concepts and Sneaker Freaker.
New Balance 2002R
Originally launched in 2010 as a successor to the NB2001, the 2002R was a high-performance running sneaker at the time, boasting highly-technical midsole cushioning and high retail price point for its time. Due to this, the model showcased poor sales and was quickly removed from the market. However, New Balance decided to reintroduce the silhouette in 2020 as a direct response to the growing “dad shoe” trend, accompanied by high-profile collaborations with Salehe Bembury, thisisneverthat and the popular “Protection Pack”. The sneaker is now a mainstay amongst the brand’s regular rotation.
New Balance 991
Last but by no means least, another 99X series sneaker makes an appearance here, this time around in the form of the New Balance 991. Originally titled the M991, the sneaker first hit the market in 2001. The kicks were one of the first to feature the label’s brand-new ABZORB technology, boasting premium comfort and support for the wearer. Over 20 years later, the kicks still remain popular with sneakerheads around the globe, especially thanks to collaborations with Stone Island, JJJJound and Patta.