Action Bronson Put His Wackadoodle Spin on the New Balance 992

In recent years, the rapper, TV personality, and all-around gourmand Action Bronson has cemented himself as one of New Balance’s premium brand ambassadors. His endorsement has clearly paid dividends for the Boston sneaker giant, especially while the man they call Bam Bam Baklava has ascended to that rare echelon of cultural renown where he’s as famous for simply being himself as for anything else.

Bronson has, through his music and, let’s say, unique way of stringing sentences together, established something resembling a signature vernacular. There’s a whole X page dedicated to signal-boosting things people say that accidentally sound like an Action Bronson lyric, usually referring to some combination of food, luxurious locales, women, and perhaps a mythical creature of some variety. Bronson is, above all else, unapologetically himself–and it’s reflected in his sartorial prowess.

His New Balance collaborations to date have reflected that–literally. This ain’t a guy doing the whole A Ma Maniére, soft-beige thing—Bronsoliño will slap some scarlet on a 990v6, throw some lime green on a 1906R, and call that baby a “Scorpius,” as he literally did in 2024. Oftentimes his colorways intentionally mismatch, as if to dare everyone to find a way to style them. As is the Bronson way. What, you can’t find a fit that goes with electric pink, beige, and grey sneakers? Skill issue. Free your mind.

This week, Action Bronson’s partnership with New Balance hits a new milestone with the release of his first New Balance 992. True to form, they’re loud as hell and all the more beautiful for it. For his inaugural 992—a staple silhouette of the brand that they don’t let just anyone collaborate on—the rapper mixed cork suede, orange mesh, a dark brown sole, and a baby blue tongue. Stunning. According to a press release for the shoes that was clearly written (in all-caps) by the man himself, Bronson has dubbed them the ‘Tiger’s Eye,’ with his explanation being:

​​​​“AS I SIT HERE ON MY HANDWOVEN RUG FROM ANCIENT PERSIA, FLYING DEEP INTO THE THIRTEENTH STEP OF MEDITATION, I ASK FOR PROTECTION, FOR GUIDANCE, FOR WISDOM.