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Born as a Centennial Anniversary Model & Beloved by Steve Jobs: The History & Appeal of the New Balance "992"
The New Balance "992" debuted in 2006 as a special anniversary model to commemorate New Balance's 100th anniversary. Its highly anticipated reissue in 2020 reignited its popularity, and it remains a coveted, hard-to-get sneaker even today. Sporting a sleek silhouette paired with a chunky sole, what exactly makes the "992" so special and how is it positioned in New Balance's line-up? We sat down with Shigeyuki Kunii, the creative director of the influential "mita sneakers," to get the inside scoop.
ABZORB Further Evolves, Promising Next-level Comfort
Among the famed 900 series—known for producing countless iconic models—the "992" stands apart. Not only was it introduced during the brand's 100th anniversary, but it also became famous as the sneaker of choice for Steve Jobs, one of the founders of "Apple." Kunii sheds light on the birth of the "992" as follows:"While inheriting the specs of its predecessor, the '991,' the '992' features an upgraded version of New Balance's unique cushioning—'ABZORB SBS'—which takes comfort to another level.
"The 900 series launched with the slogan, '990 out of 1000 points,' symbolizing New Balance's dedication to perpetual progress and innovation. The remaining 10 points leave room for evolving to better fit each user's foot—a philosophy that truly defines the brand. Of course, advancing even beyond the '991' was to be expected. The upper is made of premium pigskin suede, lending a refined, muted look perfect for mature, understated outfits."
So, what’s Kunii’s personal impression of the "992"? He shares:
"For me, the lasting image of the '992' is inevitably Steve Jobs wearing them. I picture white dads pulling off dad-style—gray 900-series on their feet with a 'Ralph Lauren' outfit. At the time it launched, though, the spotlight in Japan was more on the prestigious 1000 series like the '1300' and the 500 series such as the '576.' Other model numbers garnered more attention back then, as far as I remember."
Today it seems unthinkable given the 900 series’ cult-like status, but when the "992" debuted, we were right in the heart of the sneaker boom, and flashier tech sneakers from rival brands claimed the limelight. From my own perspective, it was much later after the release that the 900 series truly gained traction in Japan.
The Unique, Authentic Allure of the "992"
What led the "992" to finally gain momentum? Kunii offers his analysis:"The real turning point came in the early 2010s when the 'normcore' trend swept the fashion scene. That's when the 900 series—including the '990,' '991,' and '992'—started getting the recognition they deserved.
"Thanks to its advanced cushioning and functionality, you’ll feel the difference as soon as you put them on. But visually, the design didn’t scream 'high-tech,' so it flew under the radar back then. When 'normcore' emerged, its popularity took off overnight."
While the "992" collaborated with influential brands such as "JJJJound," "WTAPS," "Kith," and "Joe Freshgoods," Kunii insists the sneaker's fame was not born from these collaborations.
"Of course, for many, their introduction to the 992 was through collaboration models, but I don’t think that’s the only reason. Rather than something orchestrated—like 'influencers or celebrities were wearing them,' or 'I saw this promotion'—it’s that people from each generation, coming from different backgrounds, are each finding their own reasons for purchasing. This kind of spontaneous momentum is exactly what it means for something to go viral."
The 992 stands out because of its "timeless" presence, appealing across generations—more than just a trend manufactured for the moment. That’s exactly why it’s considered an icon.
Teddy Santis-supervised New Colors Also on the Way
Right now, even the inline models of the 992 are difficult to get. But there’s great news—a long-awaited restock of the basic colors is on the horizon. Kunii elaborates:"When it was reissued for the first time in 2020, it sold out instantly through lotteries, and there have been very few restocks since. Now, finally, the classic colors are being restocked at this perfect timing.
"Moreover, Teddy Santis, who leads 'Aimé Leon Dore,' continues to work as Creative Director for 'New Balance' on the Made in USA Seasonal Collection, so there are plans to introduce more new colors as well."
In closing, Kunii shares his thoughts on what makes the 992 so special:
"What stands out about the entire 900 series from 'New Balance' is that they never abandon their users. Sure, they could fully revamp the design with a new number to attract a totally new market—that’s an option.
"But instead, by keeping touches of the previous iterations while gradually advancing the functionality, they evolve together with their existing user base. That co-evolution in design and function is the true appeal of the 992—and of 'New Balance' itself."
The 992 has been difficult to obtain due to ongoing shortages, but this restock should help alleviate the situation. Still, with new colors under Teddy Santis’ direction serving as a potential catalyst, it’s expected the 992’s popularity will reach new heights. That’s all the more reason to seize this opportunity and check them out for yourself.
PROFILE
Shigeyuki Kunii
Creative Director at mita sneakers
As creative director of "mita sneakers," he offers his own unique sneaker style to the world from Ueno, Tokyo’s downtown. Renowned for numerous collaborations and special-order models with many brands, his expertise also shines in exclusive New Balance projects. He currently serves as an external director for the shop "Herringbone Footwear," newly opened in Toranomon Hills. From directing global projects to domestic lines, he is one of the most influential figures in the sneaker industry, involved in projects across a remarkable spectrum.
mita sneakers
1F Street Shop, Ameyoko Center Building, 4-7-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-3832-8346 Business hours: (Weekdays) 11:00–19:30, (Weekends & holidays) 10:00–19:30
Photo by Hiroyuki “Lily” Suzuki (StudioLog)
Text by Yasuyuki Ushijima (NO-TECH)
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