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With a rich history than spans well over 30 years, the Made in USA New Balance 990 is undoubtedly the perfect shoe in a lot of ways. Birthed in innovation, craftsmanship, and signature style, everything great about the heritage-based brand is clearly represented within this cherished creation. What started out as an idea, and actually a challenge to the internal design team from New Balance Chairman, Jim Davis, grew into an industry leader that still reigns today.
Bearing a unique construction in relation to many of its counterparts, the New Balance 990 took to budding technology through a heel motion control device. And given its running-inspired make up, this provided an unparalleled union of stability, cushioning and flexibility, all wrapped into one shoe. What’s more, given those advancements, the 990 was among the first running shoes to debut at a $100 price point.
That said, the performance running shoe market was as competitive then, as it is today. What this meant was most doubted the viability of a runner priced at such a dollar amount. Early projections for NB were set at moving 5,000 pairs. The 990, though, sold ten times that amount helping ignite the market even further, and solidify itself as one of the strongest models of its time selling more than 50,000 pairs just six months following its retail debut.
To date, more than 10 million pairs of the New Balance 990 have been sold across the globe. With a bright and innovative future in store, the runner now 33 years into production is just scratching the surface, with far greater accomplishments in store.
Source: NB