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New Balance 998: ABZORB, and it’s literally printed on there

There’s a handy habit at New Balance that you can use on this page right away: the brand prints the name of its cushioning technology in full on the sole’s sidewall. On the 998 it says ABZORB, the foam that absorbs shocks while also springing back. So you don’t need to read a product description to know what’s underneath; it’s written there, just above the outsole.

The 998 belongs to the American top line and you can see that in the construction. Soft suede and nubuck in stacked panels, a slightly raised heel, and a midsole that’s full but not bulky. The silhouette sits between the broader 992 and the slimmer 996, which is why it’s often chosen by those who want the top line without the pronounced volume of the 99x models that followed.

Versions with Made in USA in the title are assembled in the U.S. factory, which at New Balance is reserved for the more expensive models. In addition, collaborations appear with shops that have followed the model for years. What stands out is how consistent the shape remains: the 998 hardly changes between versions, only the materials vary.

In the brand’s architecture this is the quietest of the American top line. The 992 has the cultural story, the 990 the status of the archetype, and the 998 is simply the shoe that enthusiasts buy because it fits well.

On this page you can see which versions of the New Balance 998 are hottest now according to the Hypescore, from what price they can be found and how many shops have them in stock.