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# New England Sailing Sneakers
The New Balance 999 from Concepts is a True Boat Shoe

By Michael Hines | Published 2011-04-16 | Fashion
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-999-from-concepts
References: [highsnobiety](http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2011/04/11/new-balance-999-by-conceptsâ€¨â€¨/) & [cncpts](http://cncpts.com/)

Forget the [boat shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-bateau) -- if you truly want a pair of shoes that will do the high seas justice, you want the New Balance 999 from Concepts. Concepts and New Balance have come together to create a unique 999 inspired by the Massachusetts sailing scene.

The New Balance 999 from Concepts has a gray color scheme complemented by khaki accents along the heel and toebox with a set of nautical alphabet flags prominently displayed on the tongue. The shoe has a strong enough design to be worthy of a standalone release, but Concepts has chosen to release its custom 999 alongside an sailing-inspired apparel pack featuring a sailing polo, handmade rope bracelet, bucket hat and a pair of [Ray-Ban Wayfarers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ray-ban-star-wars). Looks like I'll be hitting the high seas sometime soon.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 2.1/10
- Popularity: 25% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- 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

### What's Driving This Trend

- **Sailing-inspired Sneakers:** The collaboration between Concepts and New Balance is a disruptive innovation in the sneaker industry, tapping into the growing market of niche sneaker designs.
- **Nautical-themed Apparel Packs:** By releasing the custom 999 alongside an apparel pack, Concepts has found a way to expand its business model and upsell other complementary products to consumers.
- **Location-based Design Inspiration:** Inspiration from a specific location, in this case the Massachusetts sailing scene, provides a fresh take on designs and an opportunity for companies to tap into location-specific markets.

### Who This Affects Most

- **Footwear Industry:** The collaboration between Concepts and New Balance highlights the importance of brand collaborations and niche designs to stand out in the crowded footwear industry.
- **Apparel Industry:** Concepts' release of a sailing-inspired apparel pack shows the potential for apparel companies to expand their offerings and diversify their revenue streams.
- **Tourism Industry:** Location-based design inspiration can attract tourists and provide a unique experience, creating an opportunity for the tourism industry to partner with designers and brands to promote local culture.

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