M990GY2

When it comes to New Balance sneakers, the 990 series has been the mac daddy, top dog, pinnacle model for almost 50 years. In that time there's been many tweaks and innovations, but one thing has remained constant: price never mattered. From the first to the last, the 990 is about doing things to the max.

When the 990v2 released in 1998, New Balance had recently introduced the ABZORB cushioning system. Debuted on the 998, by the time the 990v2 followed suit NB had maximised the cushioning to the extent that the midsole was bigger than ever. Compared with the relatively sedate looks of previous models, the swooping midsole lines and intertwined panels were markedly more contemporary. The design language of 990v2 would set a new tone for the series which carries into the most recent 990v6.

Seen here in the original and arguably best colour of OG grey, the 990v2 is back in the same MADE in USA form it took 25 years ago.