New Balance 991v2 Made in UK ‘Green Banana’ Summer Brights Pack

There is something quietly radical about a shoe that has spent decades being taken seriously without ever needing to shout. The New Balance 991 has always operated in that register, a silhouette born from the Flimby factory in Cumbria and refined through years of genuine craft rather than marketing cycles. The Summer Brights Pack is the latest chapter in that story, and the 'Green Banana' colourway might be its most audacious move yet.

Where previous 991v2 Made in UK releases leaned into earthy tones and muted heritage palettes, the U991WG2 takes a sharp turn toward vivid, unrestrained colour. The upper combines mesh and premium suede panels in a yellow-green that references the exact shade of an unripe banana, a colour that reads almost neon in direct sunlight yet stays grounded by the shoe's inherently structured architecture. The ENCAP midsole, a dual-layer cushioning system that remains one of the most technically accomplished solutions in the running category, anchors everything in off-white, letting the upper command the conversation. Reflective detailing and the embroidered 'N' logo in tonal contrast keep the finish cohesive rather than chaotic.

The Made in UK provenance matters here more than ever. Every pair carrying this designation is assembled at the Flimby facility, where production standards translate directly into longevity and fit quality that factory-line equivalents rarely match. At a retail price of €250, the U991WG2 sits within the established range for the 991v2 MiU line and represents exactly the kind of considered investment the silhouette has always justified. The 'Green Banana' colourway drops on 1 July 2026 through retailers including asphaltgold, 43einhalb, and Afew Store. If the Summer Brights Pack has a statement piece, this is it.