Latest Pickup: New Balance Made in USA 993 ‘Classic Crimson’ & 990v4 ‘Vintage Teal’

New Balance remains on track in the current ‘Made in USA’ season, launching two colourways that appear completely different at first glance but go together rather well: the Made in USA 993 ‘Classic Crimson’ and the Made in USA 990v4 ‘Vintage Teal’. Both are priced at €240 at New Balance, and both draw on classic 99X DNA, but the overall feel is quite different. The 993 comes in a deep red, verging on burgundy. The 990v4, on the other hand, features a rich teal with grey and white details.

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The New Balance Made in USA 993 ‘Classic Crimson’ is exactly the sort of red trainer that New Balance does particularly well. No garish colourway, no bold red – just a dark, subtle shade of crimson that, depending on the light, almost verges on burgundy.

The upper combines mesh with high-quality suede. The red panels wrap around the entire silhouette, whilst grey and white details provide a clean contrast. This is particularly striking on the N logo, the tongue and the small reflective accents. As a result, the 993 remains quite wearable despite its bold colour.

The 993 is, in any case, one of the most comfortable New Balance running shoes. Launched in 2008, it combines elements from the 991 and 992 and features an ABZORB midsole, ACTEVA cushioning and a full-length rubber outsole with an Ndurance heel section. It is precisely this combination that makes it so ideal for everyday use: stable, soft enough yet not spongy.

Red trainers are often tricky. They either look too sporty or too garish. With the 993, however, this colourway works because New Balance incorporates enough grey and white. The midsole remains light in colour, the outsole features black and grey, and the branding doesn’t rely on contrast at all costs.

This shoe is set to make quite an impact, particularly when paired with denim, grey trousers or darker autumn outfits. It adds a splash of colour without completely dominating the look. For us, this is a better approach than a completely tonal Red Runner, as it allows the 993 silhouette to retain its technical shape.

The second shoe in the pair is the New Balance Made in USA 990v4 ‘Vintage Teal’. Here, too, the design remains classic: mesh, suede overlays, synthetic details and the familiar 990v4 cushioning with ABZORB in the heel and forefoot areas, as well as ENCAP and C-CAP midsoles.

Visually, however, the 990v4 looks quite different from the 993. The teal colour looks fresh, but not overly summery. It lies somewhere between green and blue, with enough depth to ensure the shoe doesn’t look like a pastel experiment. The grey underlays and the white ‘N’ logo take the edge off the colourway and bring it back into that quintessential ‘Made in the USA’ aesthetic.

In a direct comparison, the 990v4 is probably the more versatile shoe. The 993 has more of a statement-making presence, whilst the 990v4 can be incorporated more easily into everyday outfits. Vintage Teal works well with navy, beige, off-white, grey and, of course, denim. Added to this is the slightly slimmer silhouette of the 990v4, which simply looks neater with many trousers than a wider trainer.

When it comes to comfort, the v4 remains a safe bet. It’s not quite as soft as more modern FuelCell models, but it’s stable, reliable and comfortable for long days. That’s precisely why the 990v4 is still considered by many to be one of the best 99X trainers when it comes to everyday wear.

Both pairs come with grey laces as standard, which tie the respective colourways together very neatly. On the 990v4 ‘Vintage Teal’, they echo the grey details on the upper and take some of the edge off the teal. On the 993 ‘Classic Crimson’, they ensure that the dark red shade doesn’t look too heavy.

In addition, both trainers come with a set of white laces. This makes a big difference, particularly in terms of appearance. The white laces add more contrast, complement the light-coloured details and the midsole better, and give both pairs a slightly fresher look.

It’s not just each shoe on its own that’s exciting here, but also the combination. With these two pairs, New Balance demonstrates quite effectively just how versatile ‘Made in the USA’ can be at the moment. The 993 brings a dark, almost wine-red autumnal vibe. The 990v4 offers a cooler teal look, which nevertheless stays true to the heritage aesthetic.

Both models stay true to what makes them great: premium materials, the familiar 99X silhouettes and colours that look just as good in real life as they do in product photos. The 993 is the more eye-catching choice. The 990v4 is the one you’re likely to wear more often.

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Release details
The New Balance Made in USA 993 ‘Classic Crimson’ and the New Balance Made in USA 990v4 ‘Vintage Teal’ are listed on the New Balance website. Both are priced at €240 each.