New Balance dropped one of the most anticipated releases of 2018, the New Balance MADE 990v4 “1982,” which is the latest iteration of one of the sneaker company’s most popular and beloved models. It is also New Balance’s way of honoring and celebrating one of the most iconic pairs in basketball sneakers history.
It was a limited-edition shoe as New Balance rolled out a total of only 1,500 pairs of it. At the time of its launch, the 990v4 “1982” edition was available at only a handful of selected pop-up locations worldwide, including seven cities in North America.
The short history of the 990 silhouette
What makes the latest release of New Balance’s 990 silhouette so special?
Since it was first released in 1982, the 990 model has become one of the most iconic sneakers to ever come out. Having attracted fans – from hardcourt stars to avid sneakerheads to tech company bigwigs – the 990’s appeal knows no boundaries, largely because of its aesthetic features that have transcended time and trends.
The 990 was the first-ever running performance shoe that debuted at a retail price of $100. The launch came with an advertising campaign that said: “Out of 1000, this shoe is a 990.” Because of its rather low price point, it caused many to doubt about the quality and the performance of this shoe, as well as its potential to become commercially successful in the competitive sneakers market. But just six months after its release, the 990 accounted for 50,000 orders – that’s a lot in only a short span of time. It definitely exceeded the initial projected sales of 5,000 – effectively ending all doubts and eclipsing expectations.
The latest edition – the MADE 990v4 “1982”
Since its incredible 1982 debut, the 990 model has gone to roll out new versions in 1998, 2012, 2016, and now in 2018 with the newest MADE 990v4 “1982” edition.
The MADE 990v4 “1982” edition was released on April 14, 2018 at the original retail price of $100 – just like the retail pricing of the original 990 version.
The MADE 990v4 “1982” edition combines two of New Balance’s classic colorways, gray and navy. The navy outsole is complemented by tinges of dark blue at the heel, tongue, and logo backing. You can see the embrodered “EST. 1982” at the foxing as a reminder of the shoe’s cherished heritage. The big “N” logo branding is seen at the shoe’s lateral side.
The newest iteration combines the look of the old-school model with modern details. Its functionality is also much more updated, but it still maintains the iconic 990 feel.