A sneaker collaboration can promote both a product and the place that shaped it. The New Balance 992 Westbound is the first official New Balance collaboration credited to Every Now and Then, the Chicago creative hub established by Joe Freshgoods and his team. Importantly, it is presented as a project from the shop rather than another signature Joe Freshgoods release.
The color scheme reflects that quieter identity. Soft green suede runs across the toe, eyestays, side panels, heel, and signature N logos, layered over cream mesh and neutral leather sections. A creamy off-white midsole softens the contrast, while a gum-tan outsole gives the shoe a grounded finish. Every Now and Then branding remains restrained, leaving the 992’s dense paneling and sculpted proportions to carry most of the visual weight.
Beneath the upper, the Westbound retains the established 992 construction. ABZORB cushioning at the heel and forefoot combines impact absorption with compression resistance, supported by an ENCAP and C-CAP midsole. Reflective accents add low-light visibility, while an NDurance rubber outsole addresses wear in high-contact areas. The combination explains much of the 992’s longevity: it has the layered appearance of a mid-2000s running shoe, but enough material restraint to work with denim, fatigues, or relaxed tailoring.
The first pairs were offered July 11 during the soft opening of Every Now and Then’s new West Town space at 1843 W. Chicago Avenue. The release coincided with the fifth annual Community Goods Back-to-School Drive, with visitors asked to bring new school or art supplies for a chance to purchase the sneakers. An online release followed July 13 at $220, although the retailer now lists the model as sold out.
Style code U992EN1 identifies the release. While some sneaker platforms initially referred to the colorway as “Mint Gum,” Every Now and Then officially calls it “Westbound.” The standard New Balance Made in USA 992 provides the technical foundation; New Balance specifies that its Made in USA footwear contains a domestic value of 70 percent or more. IMBOLDN’s earlier New Balance 992 Sea Stone demonstrates how readily the silhouette accepts a more expressive palette. Westbound takes the opposite approach, using green with enough discipline to remain distinctive without becoming difficult to wear.
