Beginning their long-term partnership in 2021, New Balance and Stone Island have since worked on multiple silhouettes, including coming together to design new performance sneakers like the C_1. After teasing us with new colorways of this performance runner designed alongside New Balance’s Tokyo Design Studio, Stone Island has officially unveiled they will be working on the New Balance 998 Made in USA.
Marking the first time the duo has worked on a Made in USA sneaker, Stone Island takes inspiration from its raso gommato fabric, a signature detail found in apparel pieces from the Italian brand, for the design of this 998. This specific material is, unfortunately, not utilized on the upper. Instead, SI uses a new cotton canvas reinforced with a rubberized polyurethane coating.
Mauve and plum hues grace most of the sneaker, with the new cotton canvas material featured prominently on the toebox and collar. At the same time, we see premium leather take over the mudguard, midfoot, and heel overlays. Stone Island’s famous square patch adorns the tongue, finishing similarly to the reflective N logo on the midfoot.
Final Stone Island branding details are found on the insole, while the rest of the upper maintains traditional 998 logos, such as the Made in USA nod on the heel. Finishing the design is the cream Abzorb midsole and a black/clear rubber outsole.
The Stone Island x New Balance 998 Made in USA will release on March 27, 2025, through Stone Island online and in-store. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is set at $285. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Stone Island
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
