Latest Pickup: New Balance Made in UK 991v2

With the Made in UK 991v2 "Wind Chime", New Balance is launching a colourway that’s perfectly suited to the current season. Light, understated and cleanly coordinated, yet not just another white-and-grey trainer. The shoe sits somewhere between a summery off-white trainer and a classic New Balance grey pair from Flimby.

The 991v2 is currently one of the standout "Made in UK" models in the New Balance range. The silhouette looks familiar, but thanks to the modern sole, it feels much more contemporary than many older 99x models.

For the "Wind Chime", New Balance has opted for a very light colour palette comprising Wind Chime, Brilliant White and Flint Grey. This creates a clean look that immediately feels summery, without coming across as too sterile. It’s the mix of beige, white and cool grey in particular that gives the shoe plenty of depth.☀

The upper combines Brilliant White mesh with soft suede overlays in Wind Chime. This keeps the mudguard, eyestays, collar and heel pleasantly understated, whilst the open mesh on the toe box, tongue and side panels gives the shoe a lighter look.

Flint Grey adds contrast in just the right places: on the reflective "N" logo, the eyelets, the tongue label, the heel overlay and the padded rear tab. This keeps the colourway light whilst giving it enough texture to prevent it from looking flat.

Even the small details are spot on. The oval 991 badge on the heel, the v2 branding and the reflective elements keep the look firmly within the 991v2 universe.

New Balance has also given the "Wind Chime" a bit of leeway when it comes to the laces. The shoes feature white laces with subtle brown accents, which echo the clean look whilst still adding a small detail that you only notice at second glance.

The pair also comes with a set of all-white laces. These give the 991v2 an even more understated and slightly cleaner look. We’d still stick with the original laces, though, because they simply look perfect here. 🤫 You don’t have to swap everything out just because New Balance is kind enough to include them.

Beneath the light-coloured upper, the 991v2 remains technically up to its usual standard. The full-length FuelCell midsole ensures a softer, more dynamic running experience, whilst the ENCAP cushioning provides the shoe with stability.

Added to this are the semi-transparent ABZORB-SBS pods in the forefoot and at the heel. On the "Wind Chime" version, their subtle mauve hue makes them stand out particularly well without disrupting the understated look. It is precisely this detail that brings a touch of warmth to the otherwise very clean colour palette.

The two-tone sole also complements the colourway well. At the front, it remains a pale off-white, whilst the rear features more Flint Grey. This ensures the shoe doesn’t look entirely monochrome, but rather a little more technical and balanced.

The "Wind Chime" works because it doesn’t try to be particularly flashy. New Balance has opted for light-coloured materials, clean contrasts and subtle colour accents on the sole. That’s more than enough.

The shoe has a summery feel, yet remains a quintessential "Made in the UK" 991v2. Premium suede, mesh, reflective details and this blend of classic runner styling and modern cushioning make it extremely versatile.

Compared to the bolder "Summer Brights" colourways in particular, "Wind Chime" is the more understated choice. Less colour, more simplicity, but by no means boring.

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The New Balance Made in UK 991v2 "Wind Chime" is one of those colourways that immediately makes sense for everyday wear. Light enough for summer, high-quality enough for the Flimby line, and technically advanced enough to offer more than just good looks.

Brilliant White mesh, Wind Chime suede, Flint Grey details and the slightly mauve-coloured ABZORB-SBS pods combine to create a very clean 991v2 that sits perfectly between a white summer trainer and a classic New Balance grey runner.🤍

👉 The New Balance Made in UK 991v2 "Wind Chime" launches on 1 August for €250.