Honestly, sneaker collaborations usually feel like a board meeting in a shoe box. You get a change in leather, maybe a "limited" colorway that looks suspiciously like a general release, and a price bump that makes your wallet cry. Then there’s Salehe Bembury New Balance.
This partnership didn't just move the needle; it broke the scale.
When Bembury first dropped the "Peace Be The Journey" 2002R back in 2020, people weren't just buying a sneaker. They were buying into a specific, crunchy, outdoor-obsessed vibe that didn't feel like it was trying too hard. It was hairy suede. It was bright orange. It was, basically, a love letter to Antelope Canyon. Fast forward to 2026, and the momentum hasn't shifted an inch. If anything, the upcoming January 1, 2026, release of the Salehe Bembury New Balance 992 is proving that this isn't just a "moment." It’s a legacy.
The Secret Sauce of the 992 "Reservoir"
Most people get it wrong when they think Salehe just picks "cool colors." It’s deeper than that. The upcoming 992—which is currently eyeing a New Year’s Day launch—is a masterclass in texture.
Look at the leaked images. You’ve got this deep, shiso-green hairy suede clashing against aquatic blue mesh. It’s supposedly inspired by a reservoir, and you can see it in the way the colors bleed into each other. Most collaborators are scared of the 992 because it’s a "sacred" silhouette in the New Balance world. It's the "Steve Jobs" shoe.
Salehe doesn't care about the rules.
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He added his signature fingerprint branding and that little woven "Salehe Bembury" tab that’s become a hallmark of his work. While the retail price is pegged around $240 (roughly £220 in the UK), the resale market is already whispering about four-digit numbers. It's wild.
Why the 530 "Bamboo" Changed the Game
Before the 992 hype reached a fever pitch, we had the Salehe Bembury New Balance 530 "Prosperity Be The Prize." Released in late 2024, this was a massive pivot.
The 530 is traditionally a budget-friendly "dad shoe" you'd find at a mall. Salehe took that $100-ish sneaker and turned it into a $150 lime-green masterpiece inspired by Kyoto’s bamboo forests.
- The Mesh: Not your standard tight-knit stuff. It’s wide, breathable, and almost looks organic.
- The Palette: A mix of "Volt" green, plum purple, and sky blue.
- The Impact: It made the 530 cool for people who wouldn't be caught dead in a regular white and navy pair.
I remember seeing these on feet at a trade show recently. They don't look like sneakers; they look like something that grew out of the ground. That’s the Salehe effect. He takes "ugly" or "boring" and makes it mandatory.
The 991v2 and the "Colors Be The Palette" Era
If you missed the March 2025 drop of the 991v2, you missed one of the most technical entries in this partnership. The "Colors Be The Palette" release was unique because it utilized the Made in UK craftsmanship.
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Think about the quality for a second. We’re talking about FuelCell foam and ABZORB SBS pods. Most lifestyle shoes are bricks. These? They actually feel like you’re walking on something engineered. The "Purple Heart" shaggy suede on that pair was so long it almost looked like it needed a haircut. It was polarizing, sure. Some people hated the "mustard yellow" back tab. But that’s the point. Salehe Bembury New Balance isn't for everyone. If everyone liked it, it would be boring.
The New Balance 1000: A 90s Fever Dream
We also have to talk about the Salehe Bembury New Balance 1000. This was a deep dive into the archives. The 1000 was a late-90s runner that most people forgot existed.
Then Salehe got his hands on it.
The "Fog Be The Cloud" colorway and the later "Purple/Pink/Yellow" iterations brought a tactile, almost alien aesthetic to a shoe that used to just be for jogging. He used topographic patterns—a nod to his love for hiking—and mixed materials that shouldn't work together but somehow do. It’s that "unrealistically amazing" vibe he mentioned in his conversation with the Bodega team years ago.
What’s Actually Happening Next?
If you're trying to keep up, your calendar should be marked for the 992 "Reservoir" on January 1, 2026. After that, keep an eye on his "SPUNGE" brand. While SPUNGE is his independent venture, the lines between his personal brand and his New Balance collabs are getting blurrier in the best way possible.
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There’s also heavy speculation about a 990v6 collab. We’ve seen teasers on his Instagram stories for years, but nothing official has hit the SNKRS-equivalent for New Balance yet. Given that Teddy Santis has been steering the 990v6 ship with the "Community Pack," a Salehe version would likely be the "anti-Santis" version—less refined, more rugged, and probably involving a whistle or a fingerprint.
How to Actually Score a Pair
Getting a Salehe Bembury New Balance drop is basically a sport at this point.
- Join the Spunge Mailing List: This is where the early "friends and family" style drops usually happen.
- Monitor BeASpunge.com: He often drops on his own site before the wider New Balance release.
- Check Local Boutiques: Places like Kith, Bodega, and Dover Street Market are your best bet.
Honestly, don't pay the $800 resale price if you can avoid it. The beauty of this partnership is that they keep creating. If you miss the 992, there’s likely a 1906R or a fresh 574 Yurt variation right around the corner.
The real value in Salehe Bembury New Balance isn't the hype. It’s the fact that a guy who used to work at Versace is making us excited about "dad shoes" again by reminding us that nature is the best designer. Whether it's a whistle on the heel or a fingerprint on the sole, these shoes feel human. In a world of AI-generated designs and sterile corporate sneakers, that’s worth the chase.
If you're looking to start your collection, look for the 530 "Prosperity Be The Prize" on the secondary market now; prices have stabilized, making it the most "accessible" entry point into the Salehe universe before the 992 mania takes over the rest of 2026.