Concepts x New Balance 998 "C-Note" (10th Anniversary): Review, On-Feet & Comparison to 2013 OG

[@johnguinto4386]

I'm still in a bit of a shock I was able to get VIP access on these. I was slightly hesitant to cop because of the price but the fact that they ever decided to bring this back plus the exclusive access pretty much negated the slight hesitation to pull the trigger on these. Super glad to have this in the collection! Appreciate the comparison to the OG's as well Sean. Didn't make the video too long or long-winded at all.

[@griffitography]

I think these sat because they are a retro collab and not a new one. If this was an Action Bronson collab, it would have sold out instantly. We've seen this many times. When Nike brought back the Air Max 90 Bacon, an absolute $1,000+ grail, they sat. The Lebron 8 South Beach were easy to cop when they retro'd a couple years ago. And you can get the Kith Asics Salmon Toe on the Gel-Lyte V for like $150 CAD in many sizes. These are all releases for OG's and people who appreciate sneaker history that is more than 5 years old.

[@jaybesey7249]

Exactly, we completely have the same thoughts and mindset. Tho is this is way better in hand imo than my the og 2013 one which i have and still is wearable and only reason i passed on this one.

[@MrFritzwho]

Never thought my first pair of 998s would be the C-Note! As a (new) new balance fan, I was so happy to cop!

[@samlee458]

🔥. concepts had the best new balance collabs back in the day. all bangers

[@SeanGo]

📠

[@littlephillie]

Still does!

[@The_Red_Comet]

One thing that really bothers me is that the original C-Note had a more orange piece to reflect the orange part of the 100 dollar bill. They've toned it down to a brown/copper, and I think it dramatically reduces the character and pop of this shoe. It sounds small when I describe it, but it makes a big difference in how the shoe looks, and it discouraged me from trying to get it.

[@BirdieDev]

A beautiful shoe as it's always been. Thanks for another great review Sean!

[@bsargeant88]

My pair comes tomorrow but I've been waiting for you to drop this video to hold me over. Nice work, Sean!

[@lamar2658]

Just got my pair in the mail yesterday. Love the look of these and glad I was able to cop with ease!

[@peristicas3119]

Only availble from october 17 for me... six more days waiting!! Great video as always!

[@troiscinq7650]

Concepts always does a really clean job of colabs

[@SeanGo]

it’s true

[@cejimenez]

I thought these were a lost cause when they were announced. I thought resellers were going to have a feast. Then I got exclusive access! Never bought a pair so fast in my life!

[@srooklyn]

Love that you did a comparison with the OGs. Super helpful

[@SeanGo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrRashad8869]

I had to have a pair! Its one of my favorite New Balances of all time. I honestly didn’t like the price and really wanted the copper laces but it’s totally fine. I’ll find some copper colored laces on the aftermarket. Great review and comparison as always!

[@seanbucknam8163]

So happy that I was able to grab these easily! I'm mostly happy with the slight variation between the OG and the new pair. The subtle color variations help differentiate the two. I'm a little bummed to see that the shape has changed over the years. The original shape looks really nice compared to the newer pair. I also wish that the new pairs came with those copper laces, or a lace that matched the more bronze color of that TPU panel.

[@SeanGo]

Totally agree!

[@larshamilton40]

thur morning NB site was choked up, so i jump over to the Concepts site and they had a fsr sitting! easiest checkout in years..there are some minor differences from my 2013 pair, but nothing to cry about.. it's still fire, as are all 998's (my personal fav NB)..2023 reissue shape is closer to the original shape from the 90's.. happy to see them coming back, nB been slacking for the past decade imo..great review

[@VinG1213]

Exemplar review Sean!!! 👊🏽 Never owned the OG but so stoked to have these in my collection, never thought I would have it. I wish I would of known the fit would differ, the portion on the top is a little snug but not enough for it to be uncomfortable and a little breaking in should mold in just fine. But if I had a wider foot it would definitely bother me. Hope everyone that wanted these - got’em. ✌🏽

[@geoffwen6408]

Thank you for the reviews as always! bummed the sizing changed compared to the Kith's so I hope they work out when they arrive for me tomorrow!

[@SeanGo]

could just be factory inconsistency so it might work for you!

[@kevincollins8620]

Personally my 998 are just as cushiony walking around as my 990. I actually compared boost to em when I first put boost on. Much more comfortable ride than the Big Bubble airmax.

[@jrdatrackstar]

Thank you! I don’t know if it’s because I may be a bit heavier, but the 998 is one of my comfiest shoes (I have 6 pairs) and these newer builds have even softer Abzorb. I think Abzorb was boost before boost was made in the 90s. I really don’t see how people don’t feel the compression of the midsole 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@kevincollins8620]

@@jrdatrackstar they don't wear their shoes. I actually have some miles in mine and I've felt the absorb actually work jumping off things years ago. But yeah definitely much more comfortable than an air model, and hold out better than boost.

[@jrdatrackstar]

@@kevincollins8620 Facts, and 100% agree with you! I actually use mine to workout everyday and wear them everywhere. I have 6 pairs, 4 of them the older builds and 2 of them the newer ones.

[@justsayin7865]

What about comfort comparison retro vs the OG?

[@ices2318]

Oh no. I'm now worried. haha. I went half size down on these based on your Kith NB 998 previous review. Hope they'd still be fine even half size down.

[@oldirtydave22]

Yikes they run super snug

[@kevinGvue]

I can’t believe this shoe sat. People are sleeping on the best retro of the year imo. Quality is A1!

[@OhTrappyTrap]

I’m still waiting for my pair to ship. Concepts with the beyond slow shipping.

[@The_real_milkyjay]

I just got a notification that mine shipped… I purchased via the Early Access too.. They took forever to ship but so glad to have them on the way!! Hope yours ship out soon!

[@OhTrappyTrap]

@@The_real_milkyjay I got a tracking number about an hour ago.

[@thecosmicsnaps]

i didn't get the EA but i copped on release day!! can't wait for my first NB pair to arrive

[@danithegamer7992]

I had one issue on my pair or maybe its just my foot but my left pair heel drop is a lot sharper than my right pair so it kinda hurts after a while after wearing them hopefully its just my foot and not a QC issue.😅 Also TTS was the right way to go since I have a bunion. Great Review either way

[@moff_gideon]

I was able to order my size an hour after release on concepts

[@bcruzin28]

How they fit were they snug and I should go 1/2 sz up? Wide feet here past I would stick to my size 11 and dealt with it or I would shoe stretch them.

[@b00nyman]

I wonder whether they will retro the 998TNY Mints 👀 I've got the 2013 version but would love a remake with the new shape

[@karenk3458]

I love the look and colorway of this shoe but I'm not a fan of the silhouette as it's such a long shoe so I passed; however, it is beautiful and everyone who own the OGs like you mentioned they prefer the look of the OGs do you feel that way too Sean? 😊😊 fire comparison review they are some differences I see.

[@oliviergandon7801]

Finally get my hands on it! Even if it's not exactly the same that will be more that enough for me! The only thing that bother is the shape of the midsole that is kinda strange... I would definitely prefer the former version... anyway... it's a must have, period :)

[@jrdatrackstar]

Same, I hate that I slept but also not as angry now that I see how they have different midsole shapes. The midsole is what really makes the 998 for me, and for NB to slim them down basically makes them a 997 now 😩

[@SonnyTang]

I really wanted this pair, but try as I may, I couldn't get em

[@Micka320]

One of the rare cases where retro version beats og version.

[@canatoot]

I hope they retro the tannerys (mint colorway) next...my OG pairs crumbled already

[@alanmontecillo239]

I ordered 0.5 size down! Trying to decide whether to just stick with it or try and trade…or even sell it and then buy TTS resell. Guess I’ll know for sure when they arrive.

[@oldirtydave22]

Definitely need to go true to size. They’re not like normal new balances they run way more snug!

[@Adamas11]

I am new to the NB shoe brand. I tried on a pair of 574 Core recently. Size 9.5 - little snug. Size 10 - little roomy. What size do you recommend? How does the sizing of the 574 compare to Made in the USA 998 Core? Here are sizes I wear in an other brands: 10 - Brooks and Saucony running sneakers. 9.5 - Nike AJ1s. FYI, I have borderline narrow feet and flat feet, bunion on my right foot.

[@SeanGo]

i’d go with the 9.5 but I don’t like roomy shoes…

[@Adamas11]

Even in the Made in USA 998 Core Gray with Silver Style U998GR? Roomy shoes are fine for me as long as I am not stepping out of them.

[@90-10-2]

Does the 'CONCEPTS' branding on the heel clip seem removable? Would like to pick up a fresh pair to replace but I'm not a fan of that extra branding.

[@SeanGo]

yeah doesn’t seem like it would be tough to remove

[@YudiTera]

Cool shoe, wouldn't mind to add these to the collection. 💖

[@84alexism]

Mines are on the way.

[@ThingzNStuffJAH]

Not Sean running out of room for the boxes lol

[@NeechOne]

Good info on the sizing

[@nerdbamarich2063]

Fantastic pickup Sean

[@zishilin8676]

Got my pair today! Sizing is weird. I could go down half a size with 998s from 2018, 2019 but TTS still snug right now🤔

[@SeanGo]

yeah they changed the tooling

[@bcruzin28]

@zishilin8676 so should go 1/2 size up due to snugness? I did notice of late 998 these days are snugged.

[@skateboardreece]

The OGs are so much better. No ugly concepts branding and that banana looking shape.

[@jrdatrackstar]

I don’t mind the Concepts branding, but the skinnier midsole and overall slim, less bulky shape makes me miss the OG build.

[@marcogin]

Ah I went half down and they are a little more snug than expected 😅 great pair tho

[@alanmontecillo239]

What size do you have? I did the same thing, got US 11.5 but I need a 12 apparently

[@marcogin]

@@alanmontecillo239 got a 9.5 when a 10 would’ve prob been better

[@cedche7531]

Thanks for this great video. Love mine!

[@rogertabs]

Oh man I grabbed this half size down as per the previous video about 998 kith x nb by Mr. Slightly on the Wider Side 😂😅

[@SeanGo]

it’ll break in

[@jaybesey7249]

Damn bro you got played by your own hero lmao. Just kidding.

[@SeanGo]

@@jaybesey7249 😞

[@jaybesey7249]

@@SeanGo😊😅😂 Sup sean, keep flooding the videos for us will you, especially this last half of the year

[@rogertabs]

Sean My Guy but he slightly on the WIDER side 😅

[@jasonneverkovec2889]

I was shocked i hit these on NB. What were the stock numbers?

[@SeanGo]

no clue!

[@JasonDonnar]

Great Review! 👌🏼

[@SeanGo]

Thanks! 👍

[@PlasticLyfe]

Solid pickup 💪

[@yoelrey]

Had to cop 💸🔥

[@CyborgNS6NL]

Had no idea these dropped…

[@Wladislav]

If they were more affordable in Europe, I would have been more interested.

[@whaiyun]

Now do the Kennedys!

[@Beloadi420]

Great looking shoe

[@cp23dripking77]

I don't like New Balance, but these are Fire💯

[@Oying76]

I love these sneakers

[@geovaniarevalo9300]

I designed the shoe-box! ;)

[@SeanGo]

😳😳😳😳😳

[@budipangestu3046]

how much this shoes cost

[@SeanGo]

$220 usd

[@fifibao8895]

please bring back 999 Kennedy

[@metagon_185]

beautiful

[@jei3368]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ finally

[@prabinkoirala5604]

Someone send me this beautiful nb shoes 😢

[@nbfeen]

I agree with the sizing.. but the kith 998’s fit the same… Way too uncomfortable down .5 size… I’d suggest not going down .5 size in any of the new 998’s

[@SeanGo]

my kiths fit much more roomy than these

[@tyrone8177]

Ab sol utely. 🔥🔥🔥

[@kathychadbourne7937]

I find this colorway a lil underwhelming personally

[@cristianmartinez4986]

😮

[@Oying76]

The OG has a pointed corner in the toe box while the retro had rounded corner.

[@bhonethuyaz8617]

First

[@jeremyjackson8196]

2023 look cheaply made