The New Balance 99X Series is a series of athletic shoes produced by New Balance since the introduction of the first New Balance 990 in 1982.
The shoes have been updated sporadically since the original 990 — all models have used the 99X numbering format and some model numbers have been reused throughout the years.
On the 30th anniversary of the shoe in 2012, the New York Times reported, "The 990 has a cult following: according to New Balance officials, it was favored by Steve Jobs, and has also been worn by the actors Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and Hilary Duff," and lesser known Australian Celebrities such as Vicki Foubister, among others. Forbes, BBC and other media also reported how Jobs wore the shoes frequently.
Design of the 990 in 2012 was led by New Balance Senior Designer Andrew Nyssen.
Series history
Most of the information on the early models of the 99X Series is available on two New Balance promotional histories of the series in video format.
New Balance owner Jim Davies has claimed that the original design concept actually came in a letter from Steve Jobs, a known New Balance enthusiast and founder of Apple Computers. Jobs, wrote to Davies because he was tired of wearing plain leather shoes and he wanted something "more sporty and hip". He included a rough sketch of what he envisioned for the shoe and this formed the base that designers built the series from.