The New Balance 991 Rolls Out Two Luxe “Essential” Looks

Furthering its comeback effort.

Matt Varga August 4, 2026

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Sadly, we don’t have access to any sneaker opinion polls, but if you’re willing to engage with our thought experiment, surely New Balance’s “Made in” series would have a sky-high approval rating at all times. The Boston brand has picked up a real foothold with wider audiences via its overseas-manufactured models from the 9060 to the 1906R. The “true” brand loyalists, however, have forged their fandom in Flimby via footwear featuring heightened materiality and eminently wearable color-ups.

Mirroring their general release silhouettes, the “Made in” roster is arguably the deepest it’s ever been, as new models like the Allerdale and returning champions like the 991v1 make up for the odd absence (here’s looking at the 990v5). Following an ALD-assisted kick-off and about four inline colorways, the New Balance 991 delivers two “Essential” colorways in black and navy to cement the model’s second go-around in the catalog for good. The usual blocking we see in NB’s always-on colorways, including white/off-white sole units, heavy nubuck applications on the uppers, and grey contrast underlays in between, applies to these fresh formulations.

These two “Essential” New Balance 991 colorways in black and navy are expected to hit stateside channels soon. Be ready for a $270 retail price for either pair.

1 of 6

WHERE TO BUY

Mens New Balance 991

SKU: M991PN1

RETAIL PRICE: $N/A

RELEASE DATE: 2026

US 2026

Retailer	Release type	Status
New Balance US	Standard	Check Site

Show All Releases

Get on the Where to Buy list

1 of 6

WHERE TO BUY

Mens New Balance 991

SKU: M991PK1

RETAIL PRICE: $N/A

RELEASE DATE: 2026

US 2026

Retailer	Release type	Status
New Balance US	Standard	Check Site

Show All Releases

Get on the Where to Buy list

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.