New Balance today unveiled the second iteration of the MADE Responsibly program, which takes a more sustainable approach to build its MADE Responsibly 998 model. As part of New Balance’s ongoing sustainability efforts, MADE Responsibly merges surplus and new materials to create a unique product with no two pairs being exactly the same. New Balance has manufactured a limited number of pairs of the MADE Responsibly 998 sneakers, which will retail for $180 USD on NewBalance.com while supplies last.
“New Balance remains committed to high-quality craftsmanship and making every piece of material count,” said John Timulty, Product Manager, MADE Footwear at New Balance. “Our designers created a color palette that is both creative and aesthetically pleasing, which resulted in a MADE Responsibly 998 style that is truly one-of-a-kind.”
To make the most of post-production waste, the MADE Responsibly 998 is crafted with a mix of surplus and new materials that are pulled from stocked materials. Surplus materials include pigskin overlays, body mesh, lining, laces, speedlace, molded collar straps and the sole unit. New materials are used to line the interior of the shoe and include foams, counter, and box toe.
MADE Responsibly is a continuation of the brand’s small MADE in U.S. 998 Surplus release which launched in 2020 and was met with enthusiasm from consumers. The MADE Responsibly 998 is part of New Balance MADE, a premium collection that contains a domestic value of 70% or greater. The New Balance MADE collection has been manufactured in the U.S. for over 75 years and represents a limited portion of the brand’s U.S. sales.
To learn more about MADE Responsibly and the MADE Responsibly 998, visit NewBalance.com.
