mfpen Reimagines the New Balance 991v1 With Surplus Leathers

Image Via mfpen

The Made in UK classic gets a minimalist makeover using leftover materials from New Balance’s Flimby factory.

mfpen and New Balance have joined forces for the first time to give the Made in UK 991v1 a refined new look, combining the Danish label’s understated design philosophy with New Balance’s longstanding footwear craftsmanship. The collaboration reworks the classic 991v1 using surplus leathers and leftover materials sourced from New Balance’s Flimby factory in England, placing a stronger emphasis on material reuse while maintaining the silhouette’s signature construction. The sneaker officially released on September 3, 2026, in a limited run of just 90 pairs, making it a particularly exclusive take on the iconic model.

The upper brings together tumbled nubuck, pigskin suede and mesh, creating a layered construction that gives the sneaker a distinctive, lived-in appearance. This approach reflects mfpen’s long-standing focus on deadstock, surplus and upcycled materials, while also highlighting the existing resources and craftsmanship of New Balance’s Flimby production facility. Rather than introducing completely new materials, the collaboration gives leftover components from past production a renewed purpose within the familiar 991v1 silhouette.

The design is completed with a subtle interpretation of New Balance’s signature N logo. Instead of the traditional prominent branding, the logo is hand-debossed directly into the nubuck, creating a more understated finish that complements mfpen’s minimalist aesthetic. The technique is also inspired by an archival New Balance detail, with each logo individually embossed by hand, giving the limited-edition pairs a closer connection to the brand’s manufacturing heritage.

The collaboration ultimately brings together mfpen’s preference for restrained, lived-in designs with New Balance’s Made in UK heritage. By combining surplus materials, archival detailing and the recognizable 991v1 silhouette, the project offers a more considered interpretation of the classic runner while emphasizing craftsmanship and material reuse. The result is a pared-back collaboration that stays recognizable as a New Balance 991v1 while introducing mfpen’s distinct minimalist perspective.

Image Via mfpen

Image Via mfpen

Image Via mfpen

Image Via mfpen

Image Via mfpen

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