Kicks Review: Cncpts x New Balance 998 "C-Notes"

Cncpts is usually 'money' when it comes to their collaborations, with past efforts like the Asics Gel Lyte III "Three Lies," Nike SB Dunk High "When Pigs Fly," and New Balance 999 "The Kennedy." Such success is taken even a step further with the Cambridge-based shop's recent release of the New Balance 998 "C-Note." Inspired by the new $100 bill, the "C-Note" delivers a huge bang for your 'buck'.

Featuring the same subtle colors as the new Benjamin, the "C-Note" reminds you of what true luxury is all about; yet, the hits of silver 3M that are precision-placed provide enough flash to catch any eye. And the buttery suede that encompasses the upper is something that you'd expect to find from a $1300 Jimmy Choo.

Starting from the bottom (no, we are not now here), the "C-Note" features a durable black rubber outsole, with a grey inlet of New Balance's Abzorb material mid-foot. (Abzorb is a blend of Dupont Engage Isoprene rubber and proprietary foam materials which was engineered by New Balance specifically for comfort; when hitting the ground, the material is designed to take the energy and disburse it throughout the foot so that one area is not constantly shocked.)

The midsole itself is composed of a thick layer of Abzorb as well, providing superior comfort and wearability. On the lateral side of the midsole we see a white-blue-white-tan color scheme that plays well off the upper and maintains consistency with its inspiration. On the medial side, the front of the shoe begins with the same white and blue, but the grey Absorb that breaks up the outsole wraps up through the mid-foot and extends through the back. Layering on top of that is the tan color that wraps around from the lateral side, through the back and extends onto the medial side.

The upper starts in the toebox as a traditional 998 would, with a light khaki suede in a crescent shape over the toes, and a mesh top. The light khaki extends symmetrically through the shoe towards the back before it meets a swarm of different colored materials: a medium gray plastic, dark olive suede, bronze plastic, and dark grey mesh. As the suede and bottom grey plastic wrap around the heel, the mesh and bronze are met with a silver 3M material, providing that bit of flash necessary to most sneaker lovers.

The back tab of the shoe features the traditional "NB" logo stitched in silver over the light khaki suede seen throughout the shoe. The other seemingly required New Balance "N' is located on the upper mid-foot in white leather with the dark olive suede shadowing. Lastly, the tongue of the shoe features metallic silver 3M at its based, and the tri-colored branding stitched on the upper tongue tops this shoe off as what is sure to be a classic.

Extras: The "C-Notes" were available in two different packages, a Cncpts exclusive box and a traditional New Balance blue box. Unfortunately I was only able to get my hands on the traditional box. The shoes also came with 3 different colored laces: white, light khaki, and bronze. I've chosen to go with the bronze because I enjoy the extra bit of contrast against the upper.


Tell me what you think about the Cncpts x New Balance 998 "C-Notes" by posting a comment below!

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@FunkMasterKicks