NEW BALANCE 992: AN ICON OF AN ENTIRE CULTURE
NEW BALANCE 992: THE CENTENNIAL SNEAKER
It all began in 2001 with the New Balance 991, which marked a turning point in the brand's history with the introduction of ABZORB cushioning, a foam that absorbs and dissipates the energy generated by the foot's contact with the ground. This model was highly popularized by Apple founder Steve Jobs, who was fond of the silhouette and often wore it during his iconic Keynotes, such as the January 2007 presentation of the very first iPhone. To commemorate the brand's 100th anniversary, New Balance's creative team decided to give the 991 a makeover, allowing Jobs to fully embody his innovative spirit with a technologically advanced shoe, just like his inventions. That's how the New Balance 992 was born. Exclusively Made In USA, it features a brand new ABZORB SBS sole for unmatched comfort and cushioning in the sneaker spectrum. There's even a rumor that Jim Davis, owner and president of New Balance, specifically sought advice from Steve Jobs on the shoe's design. Jobs could be seen wearing his iconic outfit: black turtleneck, slightly faded blue jeans, and a pair of 992 Grey sneakers. It would become the most expensive shoe to produce in NB's history and its New Balance 990 range.
NEW BALANCE 992: A RETRO YET TRENDY DESIGN
The shoe's production came to a halt in 2010. It wasn't until 2020 that the first retro editions appeared, featuring a small improvement: the Ortholite insole. Amid the dadshoe craze, the 992 appealed to a new, younger audience, more focused on fashion and fond of retro-running silhouettes like the New Balance 2002R. To make a splash, the Boston-based brand decided to collaborate with several iconic sneaker culture entities worldwide to celebrate the 2006 silhouette's return. In February 2020, for Valentine's Day, the company enlisted artistic director Joe Freshgoods and his creative label Don't Be Mad to present the "No Emotions Are Emotions" collection and its 992 sneaker, dubbed "Anatomy of a Heart," inspired by the structure and color code of the human heart. It was exclusively released in Chicago during the NBA All-Star Weekend. A few months later, Japanese streetwear label WTAPS, founded by Testu Nishiyama, offered its military-inspired version of the sneaker, exclusively released in Japan. This was followed by a special collaboration with Canadian creative label JJJJound, by Justin Saunders, on a pack of two 992s, a Brown edition and a Green edition. France also joined in, with Parisian label Studio FY7 by Younes Bendjima unveiling a unique version of the 992 in October 2020, drawing inspiration from the architecture of southern Algeria, the creative's homeland. It was released in a limited run of just 250 pairs. Parisian restaurant Paperboy Paris also had its collaboration, themed around a fried egg, referencing the breakfasts the establishment offers.