Andrew Rizzo Updated December 17th, 2025: Aimé Leon Dore has shared early access to their New Balance 991 capsule for select users. The link to purchase can be accessed here. Both the “Chocolate” and “Celery” colorways have an MSRP of $280.
The New Balance 991v2 has fully won over New Balance heads since debuting via a Stone Island collaboration in 2023. Premium materials, premium comfort, and no shortage of standout projects have followed, including a well-received City Pack, Danielle Cathari’s “Matcha,” and most recently a sleeper hit by Australian boutique UP THERE to name a few. Now comes a bit of a twist. New Balance is reconvening with Aimé Leon Dore for a collaboration on the original New Balance 991 from 2001, marking the first time we’ve seen the earlier model in two years.
New Balance Made in USA director and ALD founder Teddy Santis recently teased a new style on his Instagram story. The sneaker features a grey mesh base, red leather underlays, and olive-leaning green and brown suede overlays. Another Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 991 appeared earlier this year in the brand’s Fall/Winter 2025 lookbook, that pair built with a white leather base, red leather underlays, and darker brown suede overlays. Black accents on the midsole, lining, and New Balance logos of the earlier pair confirm that this newly surfaced version is indeed a different colorway and not simply a lighting illusion. It’s currently unclear which styles will see a release, or if one is a sample or scrapped concept.
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- teddysantis/IG
The New Balance 991 has been a flagship Made in England model since its introduction in 2001, designed to be sleeker and more athletic-looking than earlier 99X silhouettes. The 991v2, introduced in 2023, refines that approach even further with a more streamlined, less rounded upper. A common sentiment among New Balance fans is that the original 991 looks better, while the v2 offers improved comfort, though personal preference still rules. That makes ALD’s decision to work with the v1 instead of the v2 somewhat surprising, especially given the momentum the newer version has built over the past few seasons. Still, this is not unfamiliar territory, as ALD previously released two 991 styles back in 2022.
No release information for the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 991 has been announced as of this writing, but a Spring/Summer 2026 launch is expected. Note that while the 991v2 tends to run a half size small, the original 991 is generally true to size for most wearers. See detailed images below and stay tuned for further updates.
