Summary
We spent 8.3 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what sneaker fanatics think:
10 reasons to buy
- Big fans of the New Balance 990 series love this updated New Balance 998 as it is very comfortable.
- This New Balance running-inspired sneaker has excellent stability, according to some reviewers who tried it in different terrains.
- The NB 998 has a lot of heel support, a couple of users have delightfully declared.
- It is super cushiony with the ABZORB feature, as some New Balance 998 reviews have mentioned.
- A couple of buyers find this shoe attractive as there are no glue or stain marks on the upper, and the stitches are well-made.
- An abundant sum of users has given this shoe an excellent rating due to its buttery smooth suede cover.
- Many find this nostalgic pair of sneakers alluring as it brings them back to the 1980s era.
- A large pool of reviewers considers this 998 model by New Balance a good value for money as it is made with exceptional artistry.
- An avid NB 998 fan, who has already bought nearly 20 pairs, share that its construction never gave him any discomfort.
- Quite a lot affirm that this shoe delivers good slip control.
3 reasons not to buy
- The lining of this sneaker has started to wear down in less than six months, at least one buyer has noticed.
- A number of reviewers observe that the leather on the toe area of the New Balance 998 has a slight dent.
- At least one wearer mention that the sole came unglued in less than one year.
Bottom line
New Balance launched the retro-inspired NB 998 series with the release of the New Balance 998. This model is a runner by origin, resurfacing as a lifestyle sneaker. It’s elegantly garbed with premium quality suede that’s paired with a reliable ABZORB midsole cushioning.
This vintage-looking shoe continues to be adored by die-hard NB supporters, sneaker enthusiasts, and collectors globally. It has a well-structured upper, excellent cushioning, and high standards of workmanship, all of which are associated with tried-and-tested New Balance sneakers. The reasonable price tag is definitely worth every cent.
Facts
Rankings
Expert Reviews
Experts are sneaker fanatics, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
Are you an expert? Apply to contribute here.
The New Balance 998 was released in women’s and men’s sizes. It has a pig suede upper that delivers a durable and solid feel, while the lace-up system offers adjustability of the tightness. It also has a low-top design that ensures plenty of ankle movement.
The New Balance 998 is highly noticeable for its premium suede upper that’s very supple and smooth. An ideal all-around shoe that’s suitable for running, workouts, business work, and everyday duties. The very plush cover and reflective detailing coming from the heel accent, heel tab, and branding of this retro-styled sneaker make heads turn. The combination of its tonal midsole and the darker shade on its outsole give this shoe a clean, sleek allure. In totality, it offers casual elegance even when matched with a modest set of outfit.
The New Balance 998 is well-loved for its elegantly appealing upper made of premium materials which is why it is one of the favored vintage silhouettes by the brand that has received copious of reissues. The reflective detailing around the shoe makes it even more visible and heightens the general aesthetic look of the shoe. The oversized tongue gives it a nostalgic look and at the same time a modern appeal that keeps this vintage styled shoe on trend to this day.
New Balance 998 vs. New Balance 997
The ABZORB cushioning compound found in the heel and forefoot is another notable asset of the NB 998. This component is made to absorb shock and disperse energy. It can also withstand impact longer than the EVA foam. On the other hand, the ENCAP technology, which utilizes a durable EVA foam as with polyurethane frame is the midsole makeup of the New Balance 997.
New Balance 998, 99x Trivia
- The New Balance 998 version that has suede material on the tongue top and heel tab are designed and crafted in England. While the 998 Made in USA edition with Nubuck or Horween leather on the tongue and heel tab is 70 percent US-made. The latter bears a higher price tag.
- Steve Jobs is a die-hard New Balance supporter who was drawn to the 99x series. It was said that he utilized each version of the shoe in most of his public engagements until those were worn down. He used the shabby pair for lawn mowing.
- Actor Ben Affleck was seen sporting the New Balance 998.
New Balance, a footwear brand that started from humble beginnings in Belmont, Massachusetts as a manufacturer or orthopedic shoes and arch supports in 1906, has witnessed the transformation of athletic footwear for over a century now. The brand saw the upswing of the jogging craze during the 1980s as well as its eclipse towards the 1990s as contenders in athletic footwear became more aggressive in introducing advanced technologies for various sports shoes.
While developments in the sneaker landscape took shape, technological evolution was being cooked up in the New Balance’s headquarters. Updated design techniques erupted, which led to the birth of the NB990 series in 1982 and the release of New Balance 998 in the coming years
Birth of the New Balance 990 Series
The New Balance 990 commodity was unveiled in an era when computers were gaining popularity. In fact, Steve Jobs, a staunch New Balance supporter and the iconic co-founder of today’s leading computer software company the Apple Inc., reportedly had a hand in formulating the design concept of the original 990.
Apparently, in a letter to New Balance owner and Chairman Jim Davies back in the day, Jobs suggested revisions and attached a rough drawing of his innovation, which had more trendy and sporty features than the earlier New Balance running silhouettes.
It was later said that Jobs’ sketch became the foundation of New Balance’s of the NB 990 model, a shoe with the most advanced technologies during that time that’s fitted for high-mileage running category. Proper timing is vital, and NB hit the nail right on the head when it released the NB 990s lineup. Consumers readily received the series of 990 shoes as they were prepared to pay out a considerable amount for premium quality performance-based shoes.
Regarding construction, the shoe cover was made with a slip-lasting technique wherein an insole board was sewn around the underside of the upper thus producing an interior without protruding seams. This involved series of work which made it more complicated than the standard process of attaching the top to the sole.
New Balance 998 Then and Now
One of the advancements made on the 990 silhouettes was the New Balance 998, assembled with a classic, buttery suede with breathable mesh cover. Unveiled in 1993, this sneaker instantly drew crowds of supporters. At the time the 998 was envisioned, New Balance was in the works of acquiring computerized equipment and highly advanced machinery for its research and development efforts. Such phase led to the introduction of the proprietary ABZORB cushioning system.
The 998 is considered as one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the New Balance lineage that continues to have an appeal among consumers, particularly to those who favor classic style, which is why this model has been revamped sporadically since its release and remains prevalent to this day and age.
Updated Versions of the New Balance 998
New Balance 998 x Horween Leather
Perhaps one of the highly expensive variations of this vintage profile is the New Balance 998 x Horween Leather which was unveiled in two colorways: brown and dark brown/ burgundy blend. Both colors have an entire upper covered with premium Horween leather. The ABZORB midsole is in place for the needed cushioning. This shoe retailed at $400 at the time it was dropped in 2014.
J.Crew x New Balance 998 “Greenback”
The iconic Boston shoe label secured a deal with J. Crew, an American multi-brand specialty retailer, for a dollar-inspired version of the NB 998 coined as the “Greenback.” This design, made of green suede upper and gold accents, was released on October 15, 2016, in limited quantities. Retailed initially at a hefty amount of $180, this kick which was a steal for some was crafted in the US, mainly from New Balance’s Skowhegan, Maine factory.
Todd Snyder x New Balance 998 “Dark & Stormy
After their first team up in 2016, the New York-based label Todd Snyder and New Balance joined forces once again for the drop of the Todd Snyder x New Balance 998 “Dark & Stormy” in mid-2018. This sneaker was a way of celebrating summer as its concept was driven from a popular summer cocktail drink that combines dark rum and ginger beer.
Since it is based on such highball liquor, this New Balance 998 sneaker in blue and black comes with a luxe arrangement. It is clothed in premium suede with Horween leather detailing on the tongue and heel, while its black midsole has white speckles.
Todd Snyder x New Balance 998 “Color Spectrum”
In time for the winter season of the same year, the two merging brands redressed the NB 998 with eye-catching Lego colored paneling. Touted as the “Color Spectrum,” this New Balance 998 beams in green, red, blue, and yellow eye-popping colors against a neutral-shaded backdrop consisting of grey, white and black.
Kith x New Balance 998 “Grey”
New Balance allowed Kith, NYC-based lifestyle store formed by Ronnie Fieg, to dig into the roots of the NB 990s and resurrect some of the iconic models from such collection. In December 2018, NB and Kith dropped an updated version of the New Balance 998 in grey which retained its vintage flavor using tonal pigskin suede overlays, soft butter leather, and premium mesh on the tongue and vamp.
New Balance 998 “Blue/Navy”
New Balance proved that the blue shade doesn’t always evoke misery when it dropped a cheery version of the 998 blanketed in heavy-blue cover. Different tones of blue take up the entire upper of this shoe that’s done in pig suede. Instead of mesh, the underlays are lined with perforated leather, contrasted by scaled leather detailing on the vamp, rear sides, and N-logos, while the midfoot and heel are wrapped in navy blue suede. Everything on the upper sits on a dual-toned ABZORB midsole and deep azure outsole. This premium, made in the USA package that appeared in mid-2018, initially retailed at $180.
New Balance 998 “Red/White”
On July 5, 2018, the New Balance 998 received a red and white coverage that’s fitted for the women’s feet. The luxurious, dark red suede upper is offset by subtle grey and silver detailing. These striking New Balance 998 women’s sneakers also feature the ABZORB midsole cushioning. The brand also intended to produce these models in men’s sizes.
- The upper is mostly made of pig suede and segmented into different layers. One can come up with a personalized version of this much-sought vintage profile through the NB1 customization platform.
- The areas of the New Balance 998 that can be altered regarding colors are the suede toe, saddle, and heel; base underlay on the vamp which is made of mesh; sole, lining, laces, molded plastic collar accent, and speed laces.
- Thread color for the heel tab and tongue embroideries may also be customized. Certain areas of the shoe can be changed to synthetic, reflective, or suede material such as the base accent, heel tab, tongue top, heel accent, and two layers of branding on the lateral and medial sides.
- The front part of the outsole is made of rubber and offers cushioning and flexibility.
- The carbon rubber on the heel provides durability that extends the lifespan of its sole.