New Balance 991v2 Made in England ‘Grenadine’

There is a particular kind of confidence that comes with a shoe built in Flimby, Cumbria. New Balance has been stitching, lasting, and finishing its Made in England line at that same factory for decades, and the 991v2 remains the centrepiece of that commitment. Each iteration carries the weight of that heritage without ever needing to announce it loudly, and the latest colourway, known as 'Grenadine', is no different. It arrives as a reminder that the most considered footwear rarely shouts.

The Grenadine colourway takes its name from the deep, pomegranate-red syrup that has coloured cocktails and culinary traditions for centuries. Here, that warmth is translated into the 991v2's signature multi-panel upper, where rich red tones sit against earthy Fire Whirl accents. Premium suede and mesh panels are assembled with the kind of precision that only comes from a factory floor where craft is treated as a non-negotiable. The ENCAP midsole unit, a dual-layer construction combining a polyurethane rim with an EVA core, grounds the silhouette in its technical running roots while delivering the cushioning that has made this model a long-term wardrobe fixture for those who care about both form and function.

What makes the 991v2 perpetually relevant is its refusal to follow a seasonal script. The silhouette debuted as an evolution of the original 991, refining the geometry of the toe box and updating the layered overlays while keeping the proportions that made the first generation so enduring. The 'Grenadine' build, carrying style code U991VO2, continues that trajectory, offering a colourway that feels simultaneously autumnal and energised. It is the kind of release that rewards a longer look, where the interplay between the suede textures and the tonal stitching only becomes more apparent the closer you get.

The New Balance 991v2 Made in England 'Grenadine' (U991VO2) is scheduled to release on 16 April 2026, with a retail price of €250. Stockists including Solebox, asphaltgold, Afew Store, 43einhalb, and BSTN are among those carrying the drop, alongside New Balance directly. At that price point, the Made in England provenance and the level of material quality on offer make a compelling case for adding this one to the rotation before sizes begin to disappear.