Why You Shouldn’t Sleep on the New Balance M1000
The is latest up-and-coming model, having been recently pulled out of the archives and primed to take over the retro runners trend. The revived model has proven to be an instant hit upon its return in early 2024, and with its blend of retro and modern aesthetics, slick Y2K-era style, unique history, and backing from New Balance’s most elite tastemakers, it’s only going to get bigger. Many of the heater colabs have already been snapped up, but the Boston brand are now blessing the shelves with fresh general releases, including the latest JD-exclusive , that show off why the sleek M1000 is a must-have for any rotation.
It’s New Balance’s Perfect 1000/1000 (Sort of)
With a brand that names all their models after numbers, it’s no coincidence that the M1000 got the all powerful ‘1000’. The number is a reference to a 1980s advertisement for the New Balance 990 that stated, ‘On a scale of 1000, this shoe is a 990’, which hinted that it was a near-perfect running shoe. In 1999, NB knew they finally had the design that was worth a grand and brought the 1000 to market. Originally designed as a high-performance shoe for runners looking for a plush and stable ride, the model was specifically for overpronators and of course came in multiple widths for the best fit. However, while it certainly was a perfect score in terms of the techy aesthetic of the time – a quick Google search will yield results of the OG 1000 in a very Y2K look of black, white, red, yellow, and reflective silver – it didn’t exactly live up to its performance hype and like all shoes designed for performance, the M1000 was quickly replaced with NB’s next great innovation.
It’s the Very Definition of Sportstyle
But luckily for us, fading into obscurity wasn’t the final fate of the M1000. The design may have been for performance purposes when it first debuted, but twenty-five years later, the aesthetic of the 1000 fits perfectly into the fashion trends of the 2020s. The Y2K style raging across today’s sneaker landscape is obsessed with techy, exaggerated features and athletic looks, and the 1000 has all of that on lock with an intricate mix of leather and mesh on the upper, a speed lacing system, sleek wavy panels, reflective detailing, and translucent side ‘N’ logos. On top of all that, the sculpted foam midsole is where the technology really takes over, as it’s packed with visible ABZORB cushioning in the heel and forefoot, which pairs with the Stability Web midfoot shank for arch support and, you guessed it, stability for pronators. The sole is chunky, but not too chunky, and it has a segmented design for flexibility and weight reduction. All of this adds up to create a model that has the quintessential blend of sport and style that 2024 moodboards crave.
It Has Platinum Backing by New Balance’s Taste Makers
To debut the model back into society, the M1000 got the platinum treatment it deserved by none other than . Founder of mega-popular lifestyle brand , Santis has proven to be an invaluable asset to New Balance ever since they brought him on as creative director of their ‘Made in USA’ division in 2022. His influence has helped reintroduce and popularise numerous now-staple models in New Balance’s retro line-up, including the , , , and . Santis not only picked the M1000 out of the archives, but he also laid the groundwork for the revival with the very first teaser of the retro edition going up on his socials earlier this year – showing off one of the three iterations that would later be released in .
Before the official drop of the ALD colab came a few more strategic moves that bolstered the 1000’s presence in 2024. First off the bat was a collaboration with New Balance’s A-team collaborator , who got dibs on officially bringing the model back to market with . Inspired by early 2000s hip-hop fashion, Freshgoods’s ‘When Things Were Pure’ pack featured the 1000 in two vibrant looks of metallic pink and iridescent renditions that offered up the sneaker like it had never been seen before. A general release came through after that, hitting sneakerheads right where they like it with a worn by UK rapper and actor Dave. The Aimé Leon Dore pairs then finally dropped, with three premium iterations coming in white, grey and black. Additional collaborations with other high-profile names in the sneaker world including and hit shelves and kept the vibes high for the 1000’s return, with the former’s straying from the techy mesh look and instead opting for a luxurious suede.
The GRs Come Correct
With the runway well and truly oiled for the M1000, New Balance are sending down general release colourways that continue the retro model’s momentum. The most recent to grace shelves is a three-pack that takes after the sophisticated colour scheme of the ALD colab. Three elegant looks are presented in white, dark grey, and black, with a premium mix of leather and mesh creating a smooth base for shiny accents in reflective silver and NB’s signature grey. The pared-back design of the pack balances with the colourful and almost experimental colourways of the JFG and Kith collaborations, creating a well-rounded offering of releases to welcome back the M1000. Whether you go with NB’s trademark grey, the stormy black, or the cloud white, you’re guaranteed a sleek, wear-it-with-anything rendition of the hottest new retro runner in town.
The storm for the New Balance 1000 is just starting to brew, and there’s no better opportunity to get in early on the hype than with these three super clean and versatile colourways. So grab your umbrella – the New Balance M1000 pack is available right now at .