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More so than other sneaker brands, the New Balance offering feels as though it’s sorted into tiers. If we had to name those tiers, one would be ‘Welcome to New Balance’ and the other would be ‘If You know, You Know.' What we’re saying is that while New Balance has a range of silhouettes that feel highly accessible and versatile like the New Balance 574, it also has a set of silhouettes that get the sneakerheads excited. One of the biggest names in this tier is the New Balance 998.

What really set the New Balance 998 apart from the crowd was its access to higher-quality materials. Supple, shaggy suedes filled out the wildly streamlined silhouette to the pleasure of New Balance fanatics the world over. Now, though, a new chapter is beginning for the cult-favorite sneaker but it’s still the materials that set it apart.

Each MADE Responsibly 998 is mindfully crafted using surplus materials. The knock-on effect of this tactic is that every pair is one-of-a-kind, dressed in a unique palette. You’ll still be treated to the high-quality suedes and meshes you’re used to, but now only the foam paddings, heel counter, and toe box are taken from the stocked material toolbox.

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