New Balance Reimagines Its Retro-Futuristic Sneaker with a Soccer-Inspired Makeover

The latest collaboration between New Balance and Stone Island, part of an immersive football-inspired capsule, reinvents the Abzorb 1890.

Close-up of a black and white New Balance sneaker against a yellow background.

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By Hayley Helms

Published 2 hours ago

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Stone Island and New Balance are no strangers to collaboration. Since first joining forces more than a decade ago, the duo have consistently delivered compelling projects.

Their latest partnership effort, a massive soccer-themed capsule collection coinciding with the FIFA World Cup 2026, may be the team-up’s best work yet.

The standout from the lineup of outerwear, football kits and cleats is the Abzorb 1890, which seamlessly merges the silhouette’s existing retro-futuristic design language with a perfectly on-pitch aesthetic.

The Stone Island x New Balance Abzorb 1890 expertly balances the shoe’s existing retro-futuristic profile with the high-end Italian sportswear brand’s military-inspired aesthetic.

New Balance

The beautiful game, the beautiful shoe

The Stone Island x New Balance Abzorb 1890 is an effortlessly cool sneaker that manages to highlight the best of both brands in one subtle package.

The dark green of the mesh upper and synthetic overlays is contrasted with the warm, off-white color of the “N” and collar.

New Balance

Stone Island’s expertise in technical, understated, military-inspired fabrics shines here, while the model maintains New Balance’s well known blend of comfort and cool.

Pair of dark green and black sneakers with white padded collars and Stone Island logos on the tongues and insoles. — The Absorb 1890 blends past and present to form one compelling, contemporary shoe. The military-inspired color treatment elevates it further.

Inspired by New Balance’s 890v3 model, the collaborative Abzorb 1890 is built with dark forest green, synthetic overlays shaped in a teardrop cutout pattern over an exposed tonal mesh upper, which sits on top of the 2002’s Abzorb-cushioned sole unit.

Pair of black New Balance sneakers with textured suede and mesh uppers, beige inner lining, and green-tinted soles viewed from the back. — Hairy suede details give the sneaker a textured, traditional feeling and play well with the modern, synthetic materials in the upper and outsole.

Grey hairy suede foxing adds visual depth, the off-white “N” on the lateral side of the shoe and the collar add contrast and both are complemented by the translucent shank.

Stone Island branding appears on the tongue and insole, alongside traditional New Balance badging.

Black rubber sole of a shoe with deep grooves and yellow cushioning visible through the midsole. — The translucent shank peeks through the split outsole.

Inspired by ’90s football aesthetics and archival pieces, and featuring a sophisticated color palette that keeps it timeless, the off-pitch Stone Island x New Balance Abzorb 1890 complements the rest of the on-pitch collaboration capsule, and brings fresh energy to an already notable shoe.

Availability and pricing

The Stone Island x New Balance Abzorb 1890 is available now on New Balance’s website, retailing for $250. Sizes are selling through quickly, so get yours while supplies last.

New Balance

Stone Island X New Balance Abzorb 1890

$250 at New Balance

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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