Though New Balance has long manufactured footwear in the United States, the company continues to emphasize its domestic roots and its commitment to those roots. To recognize this legacy, New Balance is unveiling new materials and colorways for three of its established runners – the 996, 998, and 993 - that will be made in the Skowhegan, Maine factory – one of five New Balance factories in the New England region. New Balance’s latest Made In The USA offerings will be released in the first quarter of 2010, beginning this month with an all-brown-leather upscale version of its heritage 993 silhouette. Following in February will be the 998 in Grey Suede/Mesh and the 996 in Navy Suede/Mesh. New Balance caps the series in March with an all-black-leather upscale 993.

The 996, 998, and 993 are all part of a long line of New Balance performance running shoes with crossover casual appeal that began in 1979 with the original 990 model. The 996, released in 1988, was the third shoe in the 990 series and featured ENCAP and C-CAP technology. The shoe also was the first New Balance model to sport 3M Scotchlite reflective trim for nighttime running safety. Five years later in 1993, the 998 appeared. Considered a classic, 998 introduced patented Abzorb cushioning and displayed the now-familiar reflective “N” on the sides of the upper. In 2008, New Balance launched the 993 to replace the mildly-received 992. The 993 employs three cushioning platforms – Abzorb SBS and Abzorb DTS in the midsole, with an Abzorb insole – and is anchored by an N-Durance outsole for long-wearing traction.

These latest iterations are priced as follows: the 996 from $55 for small sizes to $110 for Men’s sizes, while the 998 runs from $65 to $120, and the 993’s start at $101 and redline at $185. Check out our exclusive interview with New Balance’s Luis Navarro, Lifestyle Product Manager at the brand for more details on the company. Continue reading for more images of the “Made In The USA” collection.