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New Balance Could’ve Made This Shoe. The Truth Is Far More Surprising

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

A close-up of the heel detail on the Jordan Trunner O/S in "Phantom", which is a colorway that mixes light greys, tans and light yellowsJordan Brand
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By Ben Bowers

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In the past few weeks, leaks of a sneaker on outlets including House of Heat and Sneaker News have been making the rounds that, at first glance, look like something straight out of New Balance’s future catalog. But the shoe in question wasn’t designed in Boston, and it’s not from a brand known for cozy retro runners.

It’s the Jordan Trunner O/S—a much-hyped upcoming release from Jordan Brand.

A pair of Jordan Trunner O/S sneakers in Phantom shown at an angle with the toes pointing to the left corner
A version of the Trunner O/S in Light Orewood Brown / Phantom is one of five different colorways of the unreleased sneaker that have already appeared online. The volume of early information circulating about the sneaker suggests that Jordan Brand’s marketing team is making a concerted effort to build hype around its new model.
House of Heat

Judging by the amount of information already in circulation, it’s set to be one of the brand’s defining drops of the year—and similar to the Stadium 90, a calculated move to catch the eye of New Balance fans who may have never considered Jordans.

The heel of the Jordan Trunner O/S shown facing forward with the sneaker flipped on its side.
Jordan has released a range of shoes under the Trunner name in the past. However, the Trunner O/S is by far the most traditional-looking sneaker that still incorporates at least one futuristic/technical detail.
House of Heat

A Turn for the Trunner

A single Jordan Trunner O/S sneaker shown in profile with the toe pointing to the left of the image frame in the "Pink Blast" color way, which is a mixture of black, neon pink, bubble gum pink and grey. The shoe is shown against a light pink background.
The Trunner O/S in “Pink Blast” is the brightest and sportiest color release teased so far.
House of Heat

Jordan’s Trunner line has historically occupied a curious niche—a ‘90s trainer-meets-runner hybrid that never quite became a household name despite cult status among the OG crowd.

Models like the Trunner LX and Alpha Trunner surfaced, escaped the limelight, and occasionally returned to nostalgia’s embrace.

A single Jordan Trunner LX OG in red and black shown in profile with the toe pointing to the left edge of the image frame.
The Trunner LX OG True OG is one of several reissues Jordan has released from the Trunner family in recent years, as Nostalgia for the strange trainer-meets-runner hybrid has grown.
Nike

The Trunner O/S signals a change of pace—Jordan appears to be positioning it as the next flagship in the lineup.

While the world is still waiting for the shoe to officially release on Nike.com, versions in the muted, tonal “Cave Stone”; earth-toned “Archaeo Brown” with hints of Persian Violet; the striking “University Red” ( revealed on Jalen Hurts before NFL camp); stealthily monochrome “Triple Black”; “Pink Blast” blending pink, Wolf Grey, and black; and a “Phantom” iteration in neutral tones have all already appeared online.

A close-up of the Jordan Trunner O/S in Pink BlastHouse of Heat

With so many appearances—both controlled and organic—it’s clear Jordan is leaning into the Trunner O/S as a major lifestyle centerpiece this fall.

Nodding to New Balance

A single Jordan Trunner O/S sneaker shown in profile with the toe pointing to the right of the image frame in the "Cave Stone" dark brown color against a taupe background.
The Trunner O/G features several design cues that will remind many sneaker fans of popular New Balance models like the 992, 993, and 530.
House of Heat

The Trunner O/S doesn’t hide its stylistic influences. Its mesh-and-suede upper, balanced bulk and availability in at least a few neutral dominant colorways distinctly echo several New Balance runner silhouettes, including the 992, 993 and 530 – all praised for their utility and clean design.

A pair of New Balance 992 sneakers shown from the heel on.
The heels of the New Balance 992 look strikingly similar to the design of the new Jordan Trunner O/S.
New Balance
A pair of Jordan Trunner O/S Sneakers shown with the heels facing directly forward against a taupe backgroundHouse of Heat

Borrowing familiar visual language isn’t uncommon in footwear. Given New Balance’s momentum—20% revenue growth in 2024, driven by demand for retro-inspired lifestyle sneakers—it’s not surprising to see competitors reframing that aesthetic through their own lens.

The Trunner O/S at least preserves some Jordan Brand DNA (like the TPU midfoot cage and cushioned midfoot).

Pricing and Availability

A pair of Jordan Trunner O/S viewed from above in all black
A “triple black” version of the Trunner O/S is the most stealthy of the color ways that’ve been teased online so far. It also looks the least like a modern New Balance
House of Heat

The Trunner O/S rollout is slated for Fall 2025, with multiple colorways expected to either drop at launch or quickly follow the first halo model.

Early reports suggest they’ll also be available at a somewhat approachable price of around $115.

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About the Author: Ben Bowers is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Gear Patrol. Throughout his tenure in media, Ben has written and reported on everything from consumer tech to whiskey, watches, cars, camping, and personal style. These days, he gets to write less than he’d like to.

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