Latest Pickup: New Balance Made in UK 991v2 ‘Vintage Sports’ Pack

With the new ‘Made in UK’ 991v2 ‘Vintage Sports’ pack, New Balance strikes just the right balance between a retro runner and the modern comfort of the 991v2. Two colourways, two completely different vibes, but the same concept: a classic sports look, high-quality suede, darker mesh and those slightly aged details that give the pack more character than a standard seasonal release. The blue colourway is officially available in Bluesteel/Poseidon/Harbour Mist, whilst the red one comes in Karanda Red/Cordovan/Harbour Mist. Both pairs are listed on the New Balance website for €250.

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The Bluesteel is the more understated half of the pack. The light blue suede has a soft, slightly washed-out look, whilst the darker Poseidon mesh adds depth to the upper. This is complemented by Harbor Mist detailing on the overlays, the heel and around the ‘N’ logo. The small red 991 stitching detail on the heel is a real standout. It breaks up the blue just right, without making the shoe any louder than it needs to be.

The Karanda Red takes a much bolder approach. The red suede instantly adds more energy, whilst the darker Cordovan mesh softens the colourway’s edginess. As a result, the shoe doesn’t just look garish, but rather like an old team runner with a premium upgrade. The grey panels and the silver ‘N’ give it that classic NB aesthetic, which ties the look together neatly.

What both pairs have in common is their vintage sports aesthetic. New Balance features premium suede, vintage-inspired mesh, synthetic nubuck, reflective details and a two-tone cream-white sole unit. Added to this is the yellowish-tinted CR element on the heel, which has been deliberately given a slightly aged look.

It’s precisely this combination that works so well. The shoe doesn’t look artificially distressed, but rather as though New Balance had taken a classic running colourway and elevated it to the 991v2 standard. The cream-coloured midsole, in particular, makes all the difference. It softens the look of both colourways and goes perfectly with the off-white laces.

Both pairs come with off-white laces as standard. These complement the midsole and neatly bring that slightly distressed sports look to the fore. On the blue pair, this looks particularly clean, as the white laces provide a lovely contrast to the dark mesh. On the red pair, they take some of the heaviness out of the colourway and make it more wearable.

Another great feature is that each pair comes with an extra set of laces. With the Bluesteel, the second pair is a matching shade of blue, whilst the Karanda Red version features a correspondingly reddish tone. This allows you to take the look much further in the tone-on-tone direction. We’d still stick with the off-white laces for now, though. They simply fit perfectly here and give both pairs exactly that vintage sports vibe that makes the pack work so well in the first place.

Beneath the upper, the 991v2 remains at the familiar technical standard. New Balance features a full-length FuelCell midsole, ENCAP cushioning, semi-transparent ABZORB-SBS pods and a rubber outsole. Added to this are the embossed ‘N’ logo, the v2 branding and the high-quality materials you’d expect from a ‘Made in the UK’ product.

That’s what makes this shoe so versatile for everyday wear. The 991v2 still looks like a classic 99x runner, but feels more modern to wear than many older ‘Made in the UK’ models. This is particularly important with colourful releases like this, because the shoe shouldn’t just look good on the shelf. The silhouette remains wearable, the sole is comfortable, and the upper is of a high enough quality that the colours don’t look cheap.

The Bluesteel is probably the easier choice. It looks fresher and goes well with denim, grey sweatshirts, navy, cream and, really, everything you’d wear on a day-to-day basis anyway. The light blue has enough colour, yet still feels relaxed.

The Karanda Red is bolder. It needs less going on around it and works best when the rest of the outfit is kept fairly understated. That’s exactly when this colourway really comes into its own. Not too loud, not too sporty, but significantly more eye-catching than the blue pair.

In a nutshell
The New Balance Made in UK 991v2 ‘Vintage Sports’ Pack is one of those releases where the concept clicks straight away. The Bluesteel offers a cleaner vintage runner look, whilst the Karanda Red brings more energy. Both benefit greatly from the distressed details, the cream-coloured sole and the off-white laces.

The extra laces are a nice touch, but the best look here is almost perfect straight off the production line. Both colourways are now available online from New Balance and cost €250.