# English Bird-Inspired Sneakers New Balance Reworked the 998 Sneaker After the Mallard Duck By Amy Duong | Published 2018-05-02 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/998-sneaker References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2018/4/concepts-new-balance-998-mallard) & [newbalance](http://www.newbalance.ca/?msclkid=e3e5b752ade819187bc1edbad41d2f21&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=index-brand-en-canada&utm_term=new) Footwear label New Balance dropped yet another iteration for the Spring/Summer 2018 season and this time, it is a version of the [998](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raso-gammato) sneaker. The main inspiration drawn for this iteration is from New England's Mallard duck. This influence is mainly translated through the colorway hues adorning the 998 sneaker's uppers. The [muted earthy tones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/574-mushroom) of the bird's features are light brown and the color is seen on the [suede uppers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-suede-colorway). The duck's bill is bright orange in color and the tone can be seen accenting the tongue and New Balance's signature "N" branding. Additional tonal details include blue accents to resemble water, which is where the mallard ducks live and hunt. Finally, the label's iconic monochrome midsoles round out the entire colorway and blend with the white banding on the neck and tail of the duck. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 38% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Nature-inspired Sneakers:** Footwear brands can draw inspiration from nature, bringing unique colors and patterns to their sneaker designs. - **Colorway-inspired Fashion:** New Balance's Mallard duck-inspired colorway may inspire other fashion brands to create their own unique color schemes inspired by nature or other objects. - **Customization and Personalization:** Consumers may increasingly seek out customized or personalized sneakers, inspired by unique themes or colorways such as this Mallard duck-inspired design. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Athletic Footwear:** Brands in the athletic footwear industry may explore incorporating nature-inspired colorways and patterns into their designs. - **Fashion:** Fashion brands may be inspired by New Balance's unique colorway and incorporate similar nature-inspired hues into their clothing designs. - **Customization Services:** Companies that offer customized sneaker services may consider offering nature-inspired designs as a unique option for customers to choose from. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collaborative Earthy Tonal Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raso-gammato.md) - [Dark Olive Green Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-camo-colorway.md) - [Festive New Year-Inspired Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/991-sneaker-3.md) - [Retro Vibrant Detailed Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1000-2.md) - [Sleek Tonal Layered Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v6-2.md) - [Avocado-Inspired Tonal Lifestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avocado-colorway-1.md) - [Blue Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990-sneaker-model.md) - [Animal-Inspired Patterned Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snakeskin-colorway-2.md) - [Navy Blue-Inspired Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-in-usa-990v6.md)