New Balance 991

Probably the dad of dad shoes, the New Balance 991 from the early 2000s stands for style, comfort and nostalgia. Famous for its minimalist silhouette and unique charm, the humble sneaker has gained cult status among hardcore runners, sneaker-heads and tech billionaires alike as part of the 99X series.

New Balance 991 – The Evolution of the Running Shoe

To look at the NB 991 in all its perfection, we must also take a look at its big brother, the New Balance 990. Equipped with state-of-the-art components and premium materials, the NB 990 made its debut in 1982, and the shoe became something of a status symbol beyond the running circuit. Over the next three decades, successors to the 990 relied on innovative cushioning technologies paired with groundbreaking engineering in shoe manufacturing. And that was to pay off: The 99X series continues to create incredible traction in the sneaker industry today. One of the drivers of this appeal is definitely the New Balance 991 from 2001. The debut model M991 in the classic grey colorway filtered the legendary 990 through a modern lens - resulting in an aggressive stance thanks to the streamlined toebox. For the first time, ABZORB foam was also used under the forefoot for added comfort. The outsole was equipped with the new Endurance rubber compound, which promised maximum durability in high-wear areas.

Steve Jobs und der NB 991

The hardcore sneaker and new balance heads among you are probably thinking now: Hey, Steve Jobs wore a completely different shoe after all. That's partly true. In 2007, the Apple boss introduced the most technologically advanced mobile communication device at the time: The iPhone. But his footwear during the presentation was described by the public as somewhat unfashionable. The "dad shoe" from 2001 was none other than the New Balance 991. Steve Jobs loved his gray kicks and his outfit became a trademark. Gray New Balance kicks, jeans and black turtleneck sweater. The shoe most associated with him today, however, is the New Balance 992. Rumor has it that he even collaborated on the design. Whether this is true, no one knows for sure.

New Balance 991 - Colorways and Collabos

Such a shoe steeped in history deserves the "Made in UK" seal of approval, of course. The New Balance 991 is produced in Flimby, England. A lot of handwork goes into it: Up to 55 individual steps are required for a NB 991. But the result pays off. If you've ever held a "Made in the UK" sneaker in your hands, you're bound to be as impressed as we are. High-quality materials make models like the 991 a real eye-catcher. But to get a New Balance 991, you sometimes have to be a little lucky. The model is only available in selected colorways in small quantities. The classic gray colorway is the undisputed leader. But also colorways like the NB 991 "Eastern Spices", the "Italian" or "Modern Gentlemen" know how to convince. With the London-based label Aries, New Balance launched two variants of the NB 991 in 2019. For this collection, Aries took inspiration from the crossover between sportswear and fashion in the UK. The first variant of the 991 features tonal silver details as well as orange accents on the outsole. For the second variant, Aries dressed the NB 991 in an eye-catching fluorescent yellow colorway. Both sneakers are made from a combination of suede, mesh and pearlized leather. If you want to learn even more about these sneaker rockets, just check out our friends at HYPEBEAST.