Rather than completely overhauling a familiar design, the new collaboration between JJJJound and New Balance shows how much a sneaker’s character can change simply by focusing on one material.
The two brands have returned to the 990v3, the model that launched their first collaboration in 2018. Moving away from the brown suede-and-mesh combination of that release, this new interpretation uses a single material across the entire upper.
They continued their collaboration in 2022 with olive- and brown-toned 990v3 releases, but this time the focus is less on color than on a structural change in materials.
Stripping Away the Mesh
The 990v3 is known for its distinctive dimensional design, created by combining mesh panels with suede overlays. In this collaboration, suede fills even the areas normally occupied by mesh.
Soft beige covers the entire upper, reducing the visual contrast once created by different materials. In its place, the texture of the suede and the flowing lines of the 990v3 come into sharper focus.
The black “N” logo, midsole and outsole contrast with the beige upper, adding visual balance to the restrained design JJJJound favors.
Heritage in the Details
Suede is central to the design, but details representing both brands remain throughout the shoe.
Black “New Balance USA” embroidery appears on the tongue, while the JJJJound logo sits on the heel tab. Beige tones extend to the laces and interior lining, maintaining a cohesive look.
The “990” logo on the side of the heel and a silhouette that retains the original model’s proportions reflect New Balance’s long-running running-shoe heritage. ENCAP midsole cushioning also remains unchanged.
How the Two Brands Come Together
What makes this collaboration interesting is that New Balance and JJJJound have not set competing designs against each other to showcase their respective strengths.
Building on the 990v3 silhouette and cushioning that New Balance has refined over time, JJJJound adds its own perspective on materials and color to create a pair that feels both familiar and new.
Rather than continually adding new elements, the brands considered what to remove from an already finished design. The result is another collaboration in which their design languages come together naturally.
The “JJJJound × New Balance 990v3 Suede” will launch on October 22, 2026, through JJJJound’s official online store.
