New Balance is adding a myth-leaning colorway to its Fall/Winter 2026 Made in USA run with the 992 in Medusa Green. The dad shoe keeps the familiar 992 shape but switches in a split suede upper, dividing the pair between muted green on one side and dusty brown on the other for a deliberately uneven look.
The theme carries onto the tongue and heel, where scaled green panels push the gorgon reference beyond the name alone. The pair is expected to arrive October 29 through New Balance's website and will likely land at the model's usual $200 price.
At about $200, the pair keeps the 992 at its usual price while using color blocking and texture to refresh the line. The split suede upper shows how New Balance can widen the look of a familiar dad shoe without altering the silhouette that draws buyers back.
Image Credit: New Balance
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Asymmetric Sneaker Design
- Split colorways and mismatched materials are turning familiar footwear silhouettes into collectible statements without requiring costly structural redesigns.
- Mythology-inspired Fashion
- Ancient references and creature-led storytelling are adding narrative depth to apparel drops, giving brands fresh ways to differentiate seasonal releases.
- Retro Silhouette Refreshes
- Heritage models are gaining renewed relevance through texture, color blocking, and limited visual updates that preserve consumer nostalgia while expanding style appeal.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Footwear
- Established sneaker brands can extend product lifecycles by reworking iconic shapes with premium finishes and distinctive thematic details.
- Streetwear
- Limited-edition visual treatments are strengthening crossover demand between casual fashion, collector culture, and everyday wardrobe staples.
- Retail
- Online product launches tied to recognizable models and storytelling-driven colorways are creating higher-value moments for direct-to-consumer commerce.
