Tassie Tiger: Unleashing The New Sneaker Freaker X NB997.5 Colab
Three long winters after the Sneaker Freaker x New Balance ‘Tassie Devil’ NB998 was released into the wild, we thought it was about time another fine specimen was added to the colab portfolio. Introducing the ‘Tassie Tiger’ NB997.5.
The Tassie Tiger is proudly named after the native Australian marsupial. Tragically, this unique antipodean canine-esque creature has been considered extinct since the 1930s, when the last known Tiger died at Hobart Zoo. Unconfirmed sightings have persisted over the years and there are many amateur cryptozoologists who claim the Tassie Tiger is still alive in remote bushland areas.
This tough sneaker beast is carved from a unique shade of ‘terracotta’ suede, which has been boldly embellished with salt and pepper speckle, apricot pops, 3M charcoal stripes and the blackest suede in the animal kingdom. Triangular forefoot fangs add carnivorous bite, while padded tongues are an elegant enhancement to the new model.
The 997.5 is a modern hybrid that blends the aggressive NB998 midsole and the refined upper of the NB997, fusing two of the most highly regarded models in the 990 series. The 997.5 also embraces the latest in NB performance innovation, switching out the traditional Abzorb midsole foam in favour of lightweight REVlite impact cushioning.
Stepping up our packaging game, the global release arrives in a two-piece black box with a heavy-duty UV gloss. And just to keep things really interesting, a wild technicolour ‘Friends & Family’ version of the packaging is available exclusively from Sneaker Freaker.
The Friends & Family edition will launch in Melbourne with a special event held at 15 McKillop Street from 6PM on July 15, with an online release following on July 16 at 9am from our .
A limited edition cover of the new Sneaker Freaker Magazine will also be included with every sale. The wider release will go on sale from July 23 at select New Balance accounts as an Asia exclusive.