Following on from our post last week about the New Balance “Explore by Air” Distinct Collection, we now take a look at the Connoisseur Collection from the same pack.

We’ve been super impressed with the last few USA Made Packs that New Balance have dropped, but we must admit, there’s too many pairs to handle, particularly when the majority of them are bangers!

We doubt we’ll see these packs drop down in quantity of styles though, especially if they keep including both Distinct and Connoisseur Collections, with Bespoke thrown in their sometimes too. I guess we’ll just have to be very selective!

For the “Explore by Air” Collection, each shoe from the collection is inspired by aviation and pays tributes to sky bound adventurers and innovators. If we now take a look at the Connoisseur line of this collection, we are treated to four styles, a 997, two 998’s and finally, a 1400.

Let’s start off with the stand out pair from the collection for us, and that’s the Made in USA New Balance 998CPLO which we see below. It comes decked out in a lush grey suede and mesh upper, with an awesome light blue saddle.

You can grab the New Balance 998CPLO from HANON via the link here.

A USA Made pack isn’t complete without a 997, and it has to be said, that we think this Connoisseur Collection 997 is better than the one that features in the Distinct Collection. Maybe that’s just our allegiance to the colour navy, who knows, it’s pretty great though.

The New Balance 997CYON features a predominantly navy suede and mesh upper, with contrasting white and orange hits and is available to buy here.

Our favourite iterations of the 1400 have been when the folks over at J.Crew have come together to collaborate with New Balance on this silhouette, but we’re really enjoying the rich blue colour that features on the suede and mesh upper of the New Balance 1400CBY.

If the New Balance 1400CBY is the one for you, then grab them here.

Last but not least, we round out the Made in USA New Balance “Explore by Air” Connoisseur Collection with the excellent New Balance 998CREA, which come dressed in a mix of clean white suede and mesh with grey suede on the saddle and tongue, and is finished off with orange pops.

Shop the New Balance 998CREA “Explore by Air” here.