Almost four years later New Balance launched the 990, the first running sneaker that exceeded the 100 dollar mark was the perfect blend between flexibility and support. Specifically for the shoes, an external stabiliser was designed in polyurethane called Motion Control Device (MCD) that worked with an extremely flexible upper. The midsole was comprised by three different types of EVA in the external sole that used Vibramflex, a new compound made of Vibram that was later replaced by Superflex. In the upper, leather and mesh with insertions of reflective 3M and anti-abrasion foam in the heel.
NB 997, THE PATH TO BECOMING A CLASSIC
New Balance’s designers received an order in 1978, they had to create the best running sneakers in history. There weren’t any other indications than creating the ideal sneaker, no matter the design, price or the media stir.
The NB990 gave way to a saga of sneakers that responded to a very simple premise; they had to be the best shoe possible of the moment. In a strange decision, the successor of the 990 was the 995 and already in 1988, they launched the 996. But the nineties demanded more, the new sneaker of the saga meant to show a great leap in innovation and performance.
The 997 was the last design by Steven Smith for New Balance, the so-called “dad shoe godfather” who had established a pattern for the Bostonian brand creating the 574 and reducing the 99X saga. For his last sneaker, he changed the usual EVA combinations for C-CAP (a new type of EVA that was moulded) and the ENCAP system to better its stability. However, the differentiating element of the 997 was the band that was made out of a thermoplastic Hytrel made by DuPont, a piece that was supposed to join the laces with the buttress and that became the image of the model.
To the usual colours, already intimately connected to New Balance’s history, was added a version for women that changed the big N for a small NB logo for their known high-speed marks.
Steven Smith left New Balance shortly after to create other great designs for other brands and the 997 had a highly successful ride before the appearance of the 998 in 1993. Disappeared from its stores, the 997 became a sort of a myth to remember that returned two decades later in limited editions. We’ve had to wait until 2019 for general launch in new colourways.
