New Balance 990

For the factory workers at Guilford Mills in Pine Grove, PA, creating the mesh used in New Balance products is more than just a complex process involving different materials, machines and people. It's a source of pride.

The New Balance 990: the return of a classic.

New Balance’s famous “N” reflects direct light.

Moises Camilo stitches the tongue to the semi-constructed upper of the 990.

Earlier models of the 990 are on display and sorted by quarters, or release date, at the offices in Lawrence, MA. 

The swatches Product Designer Drew Nyssen employs for his sketch make up the New Balance seasonal color palette. The 990 uses a color called “cool grey.”

New Balance has had a reputation for producing high-quality shoes for a long time now. But it's the people behind the shoes, like Jerry Reid, who work painstakingly hard to make sure every piece of footwear that comes out of our factories lives up to that lofty reputation.

Sonya Griffeth, Stitcher, Norridgewock, ME Factory

Sonya Griffeth, Stitcher, Norridgewock, ME Factory

Released in 1993, the NB 998 marked the debut of the world’s preeminent shock-absorbing technology, ABZORB®.

During the lasting process, heat and glue are applied to adhere the upper to the sole. They’re then set aside to cool down, ready to be laced and boxed.

Jason Garland, Cutter, Norridgewock, ME Factory

Jason Garland, Cutter, Norridgewock, ME Factory

Pieces of the 990 material are assembled together and then carefully stitched to hold it all in place.

As Plant Manager, Raye Wentworth oversees all the assembly and production lines at the Norridgewock factory.

The NB 993 premiered in 2008 and was enhanced with the best New Balance cushioning system, ABZORB-DTS®.

To the dedicated workers at our New Balance factories, the process of making the 990 is a thing of beauty; where man and machine come together in pursuit of a singular goal, creating a veritable symphony of excellent.