CNCPTS and New Balance are moving in a different direction with the CNCPTS x New Balance 997 ‘Montage’. After four prior 997 collaborations built on tonal balance and material sophistication, this fifth iteration strips away polish for a grunge-inspired aesthetic rooted in the model’s original era.
The 997 itself carries deep history at New Balance, serving as a cornerstone silhouette in the brand’s running DNA since its 1989 debut. CNCPTS has long been a trusted partner in reimagining New Balance’s catalog, and the ‘Montage’ marks a deliberate departure from what made those earlier 997 projects resonate. Instead of chasing that formula again, CNCPTS leaned into punk and grunge sensibilities, applying distressed finishes and an intentionally undone treatment to the classic shape. The result is a moody, gritty shoe that channels 90s nostalgia while breathing contemporary energy into an archive silhouette.
The collaborative narrative centers on duality and cultural circulation, playing with the idea that what comes around goes around while everything continues to shift. The ‘Montage’ honors both New Balance and CNCPTS’ track records with the model while pushing it toward rawer, less polished territory.
The shoe drops at cncpts.com on Thursday, December 11 at 10 AM EST as a first-come, first-served release in limited quantities at $220 USD. CNCPTS’ Boston and New York locations are also getting pairs through an online drawing that opens Tuesday, December 10 at 12 PM EST. To celebrate the release, CNCPTS and New Balance are hosting an event at Lou’s, a vinyl lounge in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 10, 2025, with music and community vibes. RSVP is required but does not guarantee entry.
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