Skip to main content

On Your Feet: J. Crew and New Balance celebrate the dog days of summer

Whenever J. Crew and New Balance get together, you know something great is going to come out of it. The new Hilltop Blues 998s are no exception, and J. Crew has brought a premium look and feel to a timeless pair of New Balances.

These 998s are an homage to the communal ballparks found around New York City, with a combination of several materials, plus a few extra details that really drive the concept home. Dark brown and blue suede panels overlay off-white nylon, a nod to the rough and tumble pickup games of baseball, while keeping it light and fun.

Recommended Videos

Not that the base of the shoe isn’t premium already. The New Balance 998 is equipped with the ABZORB midsole, a combination of foam and rubber cells that provide excellent shock absorption and comfort. The midsole is able to take a hit and dissipate the pressure over longer periods of time than traditional EVA midsoles that are found in most sneakers.

On the inside lining of the shoe, you’ll find a sturdy and lightweight fleece lining, and a specially textured laces that fit with the pattern on the side of the shoe. It’s the little touches, like offset red lace holders, or a two-tone midsole, that give the J. Crew New Balances an extra dash of class.

Sometimes a great pair of sneakers isn’t about turning heads, it’s about being comfortable, and looking well put together. Whether you plan on rocking these to a 4th of July party, or as an everyday pair at work, you’ll look like you know how to really pick a pair of shoes.

You can pick up the Hilltop Blues 998s online or in store, but act fast, because these collaborations never last long.

Brad Bourque
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad Bourque is a beer and sneaker writer, retired fantasy football commissioner, and devout Portland Timbers. On the…
New Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance sneakers are coming this summer
Aime Leon Dore, New Balance release new designs
aime leon dore new balance sneakers

Long-time collaborators Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance are no strangers to creating the sneaker of the season. Since their first release in 2019, the duo has consistently produced new and exciting designs. For the Spring/Summer 2025 season, the brands are again joining forces for new sneakers with two contrasting looks. While only part of the collaborations have been released, there’s no doubt that more is expected soon. True to the pair’s style, each of the sneakers combines New Balance’s innovative footwear technology with Aime Leon Dore’s premium style touch. 
It’s an Aime Leon Dore x New Balance season

 

Read more
IWC launches Curated: a new digital collectibles platform for watches
IWC’s new curated platform uses blockchain to verify your watch
IWC. CURATED.

IWC Schaffhausen has recently released IWC Curated, an innovative platform redefining ownership for the modern watch enthusiast. This unique initiative creates a secure digital certificate for each registered timepiece, establishing a new paradigm of provenance, authenticity, and collectibility. IWC Curated acts as a digital vault, a comprehensive life companion for a watch that traces its entire journey — from the meticulous craftsmanship of the Schaffhausen manufacturer to every subsequent chapter written by its successive owners. This commitment to transparency and legacy delivers an unparalleled level of security and storytelling that enhances the intrinsic value of every IWC watch.

A permanent digital legacy for every timepiece

Read more
BEAMS enters the sneaker-loafer movement with a timeless all-black design
BEAMS joins the sneaker-loafer trend with plenty of style
beams sneaker loafer

As the sneaker-loafer trend continues to spread far and wide, Japanese brand BEAMS is getting ready to join the wave. Akin to their style, BEAMS’ response to the sneaker-loafer trend is nothing short of a street-style ready design that’s as versatile as it can be. Recently unveiled to its audience, BEAMS has teased its first hybrid style that’s a monochromatic delight that takes the best parts of the two shoe styles it represents. Donning a thicker sole and sleek upper, the sneaker-loafer design fully merges the rugged and practicality of a sneaker with the sophistication and style of a loafer. In an all-black hue, this design isn’t just another shoe that follows the trend; it’s a new design that brings together versatility with comfort in the chicest way possible. 

BEAMS’ sneaker-loafer shoe is the versatile design you need

Read more