New Balance 1000

About

The New Balance 1000 was introduced in 1999 as a low-key trail and running hybrid, its name a nod to one of the brand's earliest campaigns for the 990, whose slogan read "On a scale of 1000, this shoe is a 990." The 1000 was positioned as the visualisation of that perfect score, but it never found its market: too edgy for the dads, not fashion-forward enough for trendsetters, and marketed with little fanfare beyond a single 1999 running commercial. Executives shelved it. The upper blends mesh with wavy synthetic or leather panelling, nylon ribbon eyelets and a rubberised N logo, with 1000 branding at the toe. The midsole combines polyurethane and ABZORB cushioning at the heel with a Stability Web midfoot shank. The model was revived after New Balance MADE in USA creative director Teddy Santis, founder of Aimé Leon Dore, flagged it as another long-forgotten style worth bringing back. Joe Freshgoods debuted a collaboration on 4 March 2024, and the general-release "Silver Metallic" followed on 24 April 2024 at $150, with a run of further colourways through the year.