# The Wait is Almost Over: COMME des GARÇONS HOMME x New Balance 990v6 Finally Dropping Next March
I still remember my first pair of New Balances. It was summer 2007, I was broke as hell from just paying my first month’s rent in Brooklyn, but somehow convinced myself that grey 574s were an “investment purchase.” Fast forward 17 years and here I am, still getting butterflies about NB collabs – especially when they involve fashion powerhouses like COMME des GARÇONS.
If you’ve been following my sneaker journey (bless you for tolerating all those shoe pics on Instagram), you know I’ve been tracking the COMME des GARÇONS HOMME x New Balance 990v6 collaboration since whispers first emerged last year. Well folks, after months of delays and speculation, we finally have confirmation: these beauties are dropping March 21, 2025 in Japan.
From Fall 2024 to Spring 2025: The Long Road to Release
Let’s talk about that release date shift for a sec. The collection was originally slated for Fall 2024, which had me planning my holiday budget accordingly. My wife was not thrilled when I started dropping hints about “needing” another pair of black sneakers for Christmas. Now with the March 2025 release, I’ve got more time to build my case (and my savings).
The delay is actually pretty on-brand for high-profile collabs these days. Supply chain hiccups, quality control, or maybe just strategic positioning – who knows? But good things come to those who wait, right? At least that’s what I keep telling myself as I check for updates every other day.
Monochromatic Masterpieces: The Design Breakdown
What makes these 990v6s special enough to justify my obsession? For starters, they’re sticking with what works – clean monochromatic colorways in black and white. I’ve seen countless sneaker collabs try to reinvent the wheel with wild colors that end up sitting on shelves. CDG and New Balance are smarter than that.
The material mix here is killer – premium leather, nubuck, and mesh all working together. I got to touch a similar combo on last year’s 990v5s at Dover Street Market (pretending I was seriously considering dropping $500+ on them while wearing a $7 H&M t-shirt that was already developing holes – we’ve all been there).
The subtle CDG branding on the tongue and insoles is exactly what makes COMME des GARÇONS collaborations so coveted – understated but unmistakable. No giant logos or unnecessary flash. Just quiet confidence.
Rei Kawakubo’s Touch on an American Classic
I’ve always found it fascinating how Rei Kawakubo approaches collaborations. She doesn’t try to completely reimagine her partner’s product; instead, she applies just enough of CDG’s avant-garde sensibility to make something familiar feel fresh again.
I remember chatting with a sneaker store manager in Tokyo back in 2019 (pre-pandemic trips… sigh) who explained that Kawakubo’s genius is in knowing exactly how much to tweak without losing the original appeal. “It’s like salt in cooking,” he said. “Just enough enhances everything, too much ruins it.”
That philosophy is evident in these 990v6s. They’re unmistakably New Balance – dad shoe DNA intact – but with that special CDG seasoning that elevates them from mall-walker to runway-ready.
The Damage: 75,900 JPY (Approximately $511 USD)
Now for the part my bank account has been dreading. Each pair is priced at 75,900 JPY, which translates to around $511 USD. Yes, I can hear my financial advisor (okay, it’s just the responsible voice in my head) screaming already.
Is it steep? Absolutely. Can I justify it? I’m already working on my rationalization: “They’re both black AND white, so technically they go with everything…” “The cost-per-wear over a decade makes them practically free…” “They’re historical artifacts representing the intersection of American athletic heritage and Japanese avant-garde fashion…”
The Global Hunt Begins
While the initial March 21 release is Japan-focused, word is they’ll be hitting select retailers globally afterward. This means I’ll be doing my usual routine of bookmarking sites, setting calendar alerts, and possibly bribing friends in different time zones to help secure a pair.
If past CDG collaborations are any indication, these won’t sit on shelves long. I still haven’t recovered from missing the CDG x Nike Air Foamposite One drop in 2021 (I was in a work meeting – sometimes adulting really gets in the way of sneaker collecting).
Are you planning to go after these? Let me know in the comments if you’re joining the hunt or sitting this one out. And as always, if you manage to grab an extra pair in US 10.5, your favorite sneaker blogger (that’s me) would be eternally grateful!
Until next time, keep those laces tight and your notifications on.
