The New Balance 992 is a running silhouette from American athletic apparel brand New Balance. Debuted in 2006 in celebration of the brand's 100th anniversary , the sneaker marked the second installment in the company's "99X" series, an evolution of the iconic New Balance 990, which began in 2001.
Designed by Jonathan Bacon, the model introduced ABZORB Stability Insock technology to the Boston-based brand’s product line. The sneaker features a slightly sportier shape than its predecessor, the New Balance 991, but boasts a bulky enough form to be widely synonymous with the “dad shoe.” Its inaugural style was constructed with premium suede overlays and breathable mesh bases, all dressed in classic grey. Other standard details on the New Balance 992 include stitched “N” logos on the profiles; “992” lettering on the tongue and lateral collar; rubber outsole; and an American flag on the tongue. New Balance’s sneaker was also made available in a variety of widths and sizes—78 in total, compared to an industry standard of around 30. As such, the ABZORB-cushioned silhouette was appreciated by a wide range of consumers, particularly fans of American-made products.
Mid-2000s design proponents included “Ohio dads” and “Milan supermodels,” but no one is as often associated with the silhouette as the late Steve Jobs . The Apple cofounder regularly wore a classic gray pair with a black turtleneck and light-wash jeans from late 2007 onward. (New Balance owner and chairman Jim Davis is said to have asked Jobs for specifics during the development of the New Balance 992.)
After a long wait, the New Balance M992GR is back on our shelves in its original colorway.
