New Balance 990

New Balance's 990 was a game changer. When it debuted in 1982, the shoe's large $100 price tag placed it at the top of the brand's running product lineup. However, its outstanding performance meant that the asking price was fully justified, and the 990 naturally took off and never looked back. The 99x series' (as it became called) reputation for innovative technology, cushioning performance, and ageless appeal earned it a cult following among hardcore runners, sneaker fans, and tech-billionaires alike over the following decades.