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.