The New Balance 992, released in 2006, became closely associated with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
New Balance introduced the 992 as part of its premium running range, combining ABZORB cushioning with a traditionally constructed upper. Jobs was frequently photographed wearing a simple gray New Balance 992 with jeans and a black mock-neck shirt, turning the practical running shoe into a recognizable element of his public image.
The association is often simplified into the claim that Jobs wore only the 992, but photographs and reporting also connect him with other New Balance models, including the 990 series. The 992 itself was not created for Apple or for Jobs; it was a New Balance performance shoe before becoming a style reference. Its gray color, understated branding, and bulky running shape later fit neatly into the normcore and “dad shoe” conversations that influenced sneaker culture.