With this year’s hottest sneaker collab so far obviously being Nike and Tiffany’s Air Force 1 1837, it’s interesting to see the lack of rappers who’ve tacked their name onto a pair of sneakers, especially considering that’s more or less all the shoe game had to offer in 2022. And while it may have got boring in no time, Action Bronson’s new colorful pair of New Balanced hopes to bring some form of excitement to the scene.
Merely three months removed from the performance brand’s 990v6 hitting shelves, it’s garnering a vibrant redesign while maintaining an oversized sole and NB’s innovative Fuel Cell tech for maximum comfort. Of course, with the 990 being one of its most popular lifestyle silhouettes, it’s no surprise to see celebrities show it some love. Taking inspiration from the multi-faceted entertainer’s nickname, Mr. Baklava, New Balance managed to implement several elements of Bronson’s life and interests into this new colorway.
Moreover, its upper is highlighted by an array of different materials, from buttery suede to breathable mesh. Meanwhile, the eye-popping color palette garners inspiration from his eclectic set of interests and hobbies, including everything from painting to boogie boarding — clearly, there’s a lot more to Action Bronson than an onslaught of mixtapes and cooking shows. Believe it or not, he even debuted the shoe while appearing on the biggest stage yet: as a guest wrestler for the AEW. And while we expected to be unimaginably weary of the soonest collab between a rapper and any sneaker brand, there is far more substance here than we’re used to.
The New Balance 990v6 Baklava will be available in limited batches starting March 17, but is expected to release globally on March 24 for $195. While the amount of pairs made hasn’t been specified, we still recommend acting fast.
