Comme des Garçons And New Balance Are Bringing Back The 1226

A new tech runner face for NB.

Matt Varga July 2, 2026

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2027

At times, it feels like Comme des Garçons has unlimited power when it comes to its relationship with Beaverton. From crate-digging explorations that return with unheralded silhouettes like the Air Max Dolce to an unprecedented collab on the Air Jordan 11, Nike, Inc. is completely aware of the legendary fashion imprint’s influence and clearly agrees with it, given the access Comme des Garçons enjoys.

But perhaps the Swoosh has competition in being Comme des Garçons’ #1 pal. The French house and New Balance have increasingly been cozying up to one another, with their oeuvre now spanning a host of numbered models: 509, 1906R, 2010, 580, 990v6, 610, 860v2, 550; the list goes on. Though its New Balance 1890A will be the next step in that journey, the partners are now stepping into new territory, affording Comme des Garçons the first crack at a yet-unseen retro: the New Balance 1226.

Originally released in 2011 as a metallic, N-ergy mile-eater, one look at the sole unit makes this a suitable entry into the modern catalog, set to share space with similarly cushioned silhouettes like the 1890 and the 1906R. Comme des Garçons’ influence here is one of characteristic restraint, turning the shimmering silhouette into a fully earthy one, coated in various shades of brown and tan. Perhaps it’s a branch away from the usual all-white/all-black colorways we see, but this does do well to establish a new aesthetic we may see the New Balance 1226 explore in this revived life.

Revealed to Hypebeast at Paris Fashion Week, we’re expecting the Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 to release sometime in Spring/Summer 2027. Retail pricing is currently unknown.

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

: Comme des Garçons New Balance 1226 Joyce Li/Hypebeast

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.