Imagining a Kanye West x New Balance 997 Collection

There are certain New Balance color schemes that are super limited, and they become almost impossible to get. They're also the ones that people drool over the most. Looking at a New Balance 997 that looks like the "Wolf Grey/Pure Platinum" Yeezy IIs, gets people's minds going of how they're going to proxy these sneakers that would only drop overseas. New Balance is known for its grey suede sneakers, and adding a glow-in-the-dark sole with a bright liner would be the Kanye way of breaking up the classic design.

The "Net" color scheme was only seen on the Air Yeezy I, but it would have been nice to see on the Yeezy II. Being that people are still holding onto their Yeezy Is from 2009, they probably need a new pair of sneakers in this color scheme. New Balance sneakers aren't always exuberant, but when they have details like a light pink liner and a glow-in-the-dark sole, it's a nice addition to a tannish-brown suede upper. They're dad shoes that aren't made for mall walkers—but they could be.

Ibn Jasper is famous in his own right. But Kanye still put him on with his Louis Vuitton sneaker in 2009. The bright pink-soled luxury kicks were seen being worn by Kid Cudi in Complex, but other than the in-your-face sole, they're a pretty monochromatic sneaker—just like New Balance likes it. The 997 wouldn't have to undergo much change to take on the look of the Jasper's. But they'd surely fly off the shelves.

When Kanye collaborated with Louis Vuitton in 2009, he named the sneakers after three of his friends: Ibn Jasper, Don C., and Mr. Hudson. Although the Jasper's have proved to be one of the most sought-after sneakers from the collection, the Don's were no slouches, either. The sneaker's dark tan, maroonish/purple, and light pink upper was set off with a grey insole and hot pink lining. It sounds like a lot of colors, but the ones together would look extra buttery on a New Balance 997 silhouette. And if the wearer doesn't want to show the pink flash, all they need to do is wear a pair of pants

Kanye isn't the only rapper to ever wear Air Jordan VIs, it's not even the Air Jordan he's most known for wearing (that would be the black/red 1s), but the the sneaker has an undeniable connection with him. The color blocking on these sneakers is just too good. The sneaker is rumored to come back this year, but a New Balance 997 with a mostly black upper and just hits of the bright red/pink color scheme that Nike and Jordan became known for would have these snapping necks left and right.

Arguably the favorite color scheme ever to grace an Air Yeezy, the Black/Solar Red is undeniably Nike. But as loud as the sneaker is with its glow-in-the-dark sole and almost-pink liner, the black upper balances everything out. New Balance sneakers can be bright—just look at the stuff being made for the Japanese market—but let's be honest: This color scheme looks good on any sneaker, the 997 included.

The Nike Air Yeezy 2 "Red Octobers" have yet to hit retail, and with Kanye on adidas, their future appears bleak. But the all-red sneaker trend is going strong, and New Balance is no stranger to this color palette, either. The Saint Alfred x New Balance 1500s had an all-red upper with a white midsole and were crazy. Taking it up another notch and giving the consumer available "Red Octobers," even if they were a low-cut running sneaker, would be a clutch move for Kanye and the brand.

Kanye isn't solely responsible for bringing Timberlands back. If you ask around, the boots never left. But his love for the six-inch Wheat boots sure didn't hurt the boot company's sales. New Balance likes to keep things simple, and a pair of 997s with a "Wheat" suede upper, gum sole, and brown suede collar is the right kind of simplicity. They'd also make it a lot easier to wear "Timbs" when it's not freezing out, too.

Why wouldn't there be an all-black sneaker in a Kanye x New Balance collection? There was an all-black Jasper in his collection with Louis Vuitton, he wears all-black sneakers on a fairly regular basis, and these would be a sneaker that anyone could wear every day. It's tough to find all-black New Balance 900-series sneakers, and the premium pigskin suede on these joints would make them the only all-black sneakers someone would need.