New Balance’s Iconic Masterpiece! The Evolution of the Constantly Updating "990"

Released in 1982, the New Balance "990" has seen continuous updates without changing its model number. It has now reached version 5. With each update, this masterpiece has enhanced both comfort and design. The upcoming release of the "990v6" in Fall 2022 was discussed with Shigeyuki Kunii of mita sneakers, a key figure in a renowned sneaker shop in Japan, who shared insights into the evolution of this iconic shoe.

Gray Was a Sensational Color Back Then

In 1982, New Balance aimed to create the ultimate running shoe using cutting-edge technology of the time, resulting in the 990 after four years of dedicated development. Priced at $100 per pair (then approximately 280 yen per dollar), it was advertised as "990 out of 1000 points," marking a significant impact on the market. Kunii recalls this history.

"New Balance is now associated with the color gray, but back then, gray was quite a bold choice. Running shoes were generally white, making gray a cutting-edge color. There are various theories as to why New Balance chose gray, one being the cloudy weather in Boston. However, a more convincing theory suggests that as city runners increased, they opted for a color that matched the concrete and Boston's scenery."
 
The New Balance "990" series has now reached "990v5." What's the history of its evolution, from the first model known as "990v1" onward? Kunii continues.