The New Balance 990 is one of the greatest sneaker lines ever. First released in 1982, the original took four years to develop and cost around $100—a lot for a running shoe back then. But the Boston brand wanted to make the best one it possibly could, and it wasn't cutting corners.
More than four decades later, the series has given us some of its best trainers, with each generation making its own adjustments to the suede, the mesh, and everything underfoot. And with the seventh-gen 990v7 coming in hot, it felt like a good time to revisit the whole thing. A lot has changed since the OG, and some updates have worked better than others.
We took stock—from the early pairs to the latest model, from the one that didn't quite hit to the GOAT—and here's every New Balance 990, ranked. 7. New Balance 990v5 (2019) Well, someone had to come in last place. The 990v5 simplified the paneling and added Ortholite insoles, but visually, it's the one we get least hyped up about.
The plastic detailing feels a little awkward, and the cleaner upper loses some of the aura of its predecessors. Of course, it's still a good-looking sneaker—there are just six others we'd pick first. 6. New Balance 990v1 (1982) Putting the OG this low feels a little blasphemous, but being first doesn't automatically mean best.
The 990v1's slim sole, big “N” logo, and straightforward suede panelling make it an easy pair to wear. We just prefer the more complicated, slightly nerdier designs that NB came up with afterwards. 5. New Balance 990v7 (2026) The newest 990 gets a provisional fifth.
There's plenty to like in the reworked upper, including the leather accents, but the busy sole takes some getting used to. From the teaser photos, the proportions don't look quite as convincing as the pairs above it. With the release still ahead, we're judging the design here.
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