The Return of the Clouds: New Balance 992 “Nimbus Cloud” Coming Back in 2025

OK, I’ll admit it. I literally spilled coffee on my keyboard when I saw the news. The New Balance 992 “Nimbus Cloud” is making a comeback in Spring 2025, and I’m already counting down the days. If you’ve been following my sneaker journey over the years, you know these aren’t just shoes to me—they’re time machines with laces.

Remember 2020? Yeah, that year. While the world was falling apart, New Balance quietly dropped what would become one of their most sought-after colorways. I was working from home in my pajama pants (still am, most days), when I managed to snag a pair. Little did I know those cloud-colored kicks would become my constant companions through countless grocery store runs and neighborhood walks—pretty much the only outings we had back then.

What Makes the “Nimbus Cloud” So Special?

For those who missed out the first time around, let me paint you a picture. Imagine walking on actual clouds—that’s basically what wearing these feels like. The 992 model combines white suede overlays sitting on top of a soft grey mesh base. The reflective silver N logos catch the light just right when you’re out and about. They’re the perfect mix of “notice me” and “I’m not trying too hard.”

Last weekend, I pulled my original pair out of their box (yes, I’m one of those people who keeps the boxes), and they’ve held up surprisingly well. The cushioning still has that bounce, and despite a coffee stain on the left toe (oops), they look almost as good as day one. That’s the beauty of New Balance’s Made in USA line—these things are built to last.

Made in the USA: What That Really Means

I visited the New Balance factory in Maine a few years back for a blog feature. Trust me when I say the “Made in USA” tag isn’t just marketing fluff. I watched actual humans carefully piecing together these sneakers, feeling the materials, checking the stitching. There’s something special about knowing your shoes weren’t just spat out by a machine somewhere across the globe.

The premium materials in the 992 make all the difference. The suede is butter-soft, the mesh breathes like it’s got lungs, and the whole package just feels substantial on foot. Not gonna lie—they’re not the lightest sneakers in the world, but that’s part of their charm. They feel like old friends: reliable, comfortable, and slightly chunky.

Why I Can’t Wait for 2025

My current pair has seen better days. They’ve trudged through Portland winters, survived a camping trip where they definitely weren’t supposed to be my main footwear, and endured countless coffee shop writing sessions where I absent-mindedly tap my feet for hours.

The thing about the Nimbus Cloud colorway is its versatility. I’ve worn them with jeans, shorts, and yes, even tried to dress them up once for a casual wedding (my wife vetoed that plan pretty quickly). Their light grey and white palette goes with practically everything, making them the sneaker equivalent of that friend who gets along with everybody.

While New Balance hasn’t confirmed the exact price yet, the original pair went for around $175. I’m guessing they’ll be a bit more this time around because, well, everything is more expensive now. But honestly? Worth every penny.

How to Get Your Hands (Feet?) on a Pair

If you’re as excited as I am, you’ll want to mark your calendar for Spring 2025. They’ll be available at select retailers and on the New Balance website. Based on my previous experiences with hyped releases, I’d recommend following your favorite sneaker accounts for the exact drop date and setting multiple alarms.

Last time, I stayed up till midnight refreshing the page like a madman, only to find out they were releasing at 10 AM the next day. Don’t be like me. Do your homework.

Final Thoughts

The sneaker world moves fast. Too fast, sometimes. We’re always chasing the next drop, the next collaboration, the next big thing. But there’s something comforting about a classic returning, especially one that carries memories of a strange and challenging time many of us went through together.

My beat-up Nimbus Clouds have seen me through writer’s block, pandemic anxiety, home renovation disasters, and one memorable road trip where I drove six hours to eat at a burger joint I saw on TV. I can’t wait to create new memories with a fresh pair.

Will I be setting an alarm to grab these when they drop in 2025? Absolutely. Will I probably be wearing my old pair while ordering the new ones? You bet. Some clouds are worth chasing twice.

Anyone else planning to cop these when they return? Drop a comment below with your favorite New Balance model of all time. And if anyone from New Balance is reading this—please consider releasing them a bit earlier? A blogger can dream, right?