The Whitaker Group x New Balance 998 & 990v4 “Willful Bias For Education” Release Dates Announced

The Whitaker Group is revisiting its “Willful Bias” concept with New Balance, this time applying the theme to two Made in USA silhouettes — the 998 and 990v4. Last seen in 2024 on the New Balance 1906U, the latest installment arrives as “Willful Bias For Education,” highlighting a color story inspired by collegiate and community spaces.

Both pairs feature ocean-toned shaggy suede uppers with tonal overlays, mesh underlays, and heritage New Balance tooling. The 998 retains its classic ABZORB midsole cushioning, while the 990v4 pairs ENCAP cushioning with premium build quality. The palette and material choices align with the storytelling behind JAIDE, The Whitaker Group’s women’s retail space, which launched earlier this year.

The collection will release in stages: an initial drop through The Whitaker Group’s online stores on August 4, followed by an early JAIDE release on August 7. A wider in-store and online release through all TWG shops will follow on August 8, with NewBalance.com receiving stock on August 14.