Stone Island’s 998 for New Balance is More Science Experiment Than Sneaker

"New Balance’s steady ascent meets Stone Island’s obsession with fabric innovation."

The 998 is a sneaker that doesn’t need an introduction. If you know anything about New Balance, you already know its place in the brand’s lineage.

First released in 1993, it was the first to feature ABZORB cushioning (a foam compound designed to absorb impact without adding bulk), and the shoe remains just as functional, structured, and relevant three decades later; leaving us with an iteration that is as clinical as ever.

Stone Island operates on the same principle: function first, branding second. The label has spent the last 40 years treating outerwear like a science lab; dyeing, coating, and reworking textiles with an almost forensic meticulousness.

Once shorthand for dad shoes, New Balance has dedicated much of the past decade to rebranding itself. It has become a hub for reviving styles, with models like the 550, 1906R, and 990v6 demonstrating that the brand's gradual strategy for cultural endurance and product significance is effective.

To grasp the significance of this sneaker, is to know about Raso Gommato.

With roots in the military, this fabric involves polyurethane coatings and dyeing techniques; Stone Island has been perfecting it since 1984, using it for durable outerwear.

Now, it is featured on the 998's upper, strengthening the sneaker with the same steadfast material philosophy that is the foundation of the brand's jackets.

The tongue also features a woven Stone Island Compass patch, whilst the heel tab displays the New Balance logo.

The colour scheme is consistent, incorporating deep mauve, plum, and copper maroon, highlighted by silver reflective accents, resulting in a subdued, technical appearance: this palette is quintessentially Stone Island.

The Stone Island x New Balance 998 drops March 27 in Stone Island flagship stores across cities including London, New York, Paris, Seoul, and Shanghai, and online at stoneisland.com (exclusively for MyStoneIsland account holders). 

Online sign ups opened up on March 10, and if previous releases are anything to go by, hesitation won’t serve you well.