While everyone is locked onto the 990 hype, New Balance quietly slides out a 993 that lands right where I like to shop. The “Shadow Blue” is the kind of pair that doesn’t grab you in a wall of louder releases, and that is exactly the corner I keep an eye on.
It’s a Made in USA 993, and you feel that in the materials. The base is a muted slate-blue suede — that’s the Shadow Blue — with brown leather overlays in the tone New Balance calls “Cortado” laid over the top. Brown laces, a grey N, a cream midsole and the Made in USA label on the tongue finish it off. Underneath, ABZORB and a DTS plate do the quiet work. Earthy, grown-up, and a palette you can wear all year without thinking about it.
The sensible one, not the loud one
The 993 has been the level-headed sibling of the 990 for years now. Less noise, same factory, and it usually sits on the shelf a little longer — and that last part is where it gets interesting for a buyer. On a $200 Made in USA runner it tends to be the middle sizes that stay available, not because the shoe is any lesser, but because the crowd is busy chasing something flashier. If you know your size and you’re patient, the 993 rarely leaves you scrambling.
One listing, and it’s asking a lot
The Shadow Blue is out on 5 November, with a $200 retail in the US, same as almost every 993 Made in USA. This was never going to be a fast resale shoe, so here’s the honest picture on Solezilla.com right now: we’re tracking a single active listing, in euros, from Geturbrick at €415. No pounds, no dollars yet, so a UK or US buyer is looking at that one euro number plus shipping and import on top.
And €415 is roughly double the retail — which is precisely the premium you shouldn’t be paying on a shoe like this. A pair that lingers at regular price is one you buy when it’s at retail in your size, not from the one consignment ask that got there first. Give it a beat. The 993 is the type you’re still wearing in three years without it looking dated, so there’s no reason to overpay to be early.
Want to see which other colourways are floating around, check the New Balance 993 page, or browse the wider New Balance range and line them up side by side.
So: is this the 993 you bring home, or are you holding out for a quieter colour? Grail or Bail — let us know where you stand.