Andrew Rizzo Japan’s WTAPS and New Balance have only linked up on three occasions, but all of their collaborative shoes to date have been met with considerable demand and consumer interest. The two parties are reprising their relationship with a New Balance 998 collaboration this November, embracing a tonal aesthetic of similar vein to their prior output.
In producing a shoe that’s both “functional yet tranquil,” WTAPS executes its militaristic aesthetic through grey suedes and impactful navy blue accents on the tongue, quarter logo, and TPU elements. There’s nothing groundbreaking about a mostly grey New Balance shoe, but WTAPS has proven time and time again that a subtle touch-up is all that’s truly needed to incite hype. New Balance is also extraordinarily popular in Japan, so it comes as little surprise that their WTAPS collaborations are instant sell-outs.
The WTAPS x New Balance 998 releases exclusively in Japan on November 8th via WTAPS and HOODS, retailing for ¥46,200 (about $300). No global New Balance release date has been announced at the time of this writing. See detailed images courtesy of WTAPS below if you plan on adding a pair to your rotation.
