Apple Founder Steve Jobs Also Wore Them! Exploring the History & Charm of the U.K.-Made Model '991'

The '991', which debuted in 2001 as the 8th installment of the '990 series', furthers the high-tech design by incorporating cutting-edge technology of the time. It is the only model produced mainly in the U.K. We asked Shigeyuki Kunii, the creative director of Mita Sneakers and a key figure in the sneaker scene, about how the '991', which astounds sneaker enthusiasts with its exceptional comfort and sophisticated design, was born and where it is positioned in New Balance.

The Trajectory of the '991', Beloved by Many Famous Figures

New Balance has a proprietary material called Visible ABZORB, which excels in shock absorption and resilience. The '991' debuted in 2001 as the 8th installment of the '990 series', featuring this cushion material in a visible form. Kunii elaborates on the birth of the '991'.
 
'In 1982, aiming for the ultimate running shoes with top-notch technology at the time, the first '990v1' was born after four years in the making. From there, rather than going to '990v2', it jumps straight to '995'. '995' arrived in 1986, followed by '996' in 1988.