New Balance has been working with J.Crew since 2010, but it feels like the two are working on more exclusive product as of late. It started this year with the "Inferno" 998 and is now continuing with the "Independence Day" 998.
Before that, none of the sneakers had themes. They were just random color schemes that were surefire hits with the retailer's Americana-obsessed crowd. This latest color scheme, however, is a more concerted effort for the brand to dabble in the concept of what a sneaker collaboration means. It's red, off-white, and blue and still ties back to what an O.G. pair of New Balance sneakers should look like. Not to mention, the sneakers are made in Skowhegan, Maine.
As far as the "Independence Day" release, it won't actually take place on July 4 (because that would be un-American to force sneakerheads to cop on Independence Day) but drop at 10 a.m. on June 14 at J.Crew's NYC-located Liquor Store. Expect the online release to occur on June 18 on J.Crew's men's site.
