Action Bronson New Balance 990v6 Baklava: Release, Price & Specs
The Action Bronson New Balance 990v6 “Baklava” is a Made in USA lifestyle runner released in March 2023 for $220 retail. First launched on March 17, 2023, before a wider March 24 drop, it got collectors ready for some Baklava color blocking. Neon green mesh meets brown pigskin suede and blue midsoles. Below we examine its design, sequels, and $822 average resale math.
- Two-stage March 2023 launch: Dropped March 17, 2023, on SpecializingInLife before the March 24, 2023 global release at $220 retail.
- Multi-color palette: Combines volt-green mesh, earthy brown suede, silver overlays, magenta collars, and a royal blue midsole.
- Made in USA tooling: Built on the 2022 FuelCell and ENCAP 990v6 midsole in New England footwear plants.
- High aftermarket demand: Reached an early pre-release average of $822 on StockX and trades between $390 and $650.
How Did Queens Rapper and Chef Action Bronson Join the Boston Brand?
Queens-born rapper, chef, and television host Ariyan Arslani partnered with the Boston sportswear label in 2023.
Since 2020, the century-old Boston runner manufacturer has expanded its cultural footprint through bold designer partnerships. Collaborations with Salehe Bembury and Casablanca pushed several releases onto our best New Balance sneakers ranking. Bringing in the host of “F*ck, That’s Delicious” merged food culture with weight-room street style.
Fans know the artist by his nicknames Bam Bam, Bronsolino, and Mr Baklava. He also operates the Baklava Flea Market digital storefront. After wearing grey 990 trainers on stage for years, he selected the sixth-generation 990 silhouette. That partnership debuted with his first collaborative project in March 2023.
How Do Neon Green Mesh and Royal Blue Midsoles Shape the Baklava Design?
Hi-vis volt mesh, tan pigskin suede mudguards, magenta collars, and a two-tone blue midsole define the Baklava build.
Traditional heritage runners rely on muted slate grey and navy tones. Our technical New Balance 990v6 review explains how the 2022 silhouette removed the classic midfoot saddle. That change exposed more breathable mesh across the quarter panels. The Baklava edition turns that mesh base into a neon-green canvas framed by silver overlays.
Rich caramel-brown suede wraps the toe guard and heel counter. Those warm tones evoke toasted phyllo pastry and crushed pistachios. Thick purple-and-pink rope laces thread through orange eyelets above a co-branded tongue badge. Underneath, a royal blue and aqua FuelCell midsole rests on a gum rubber outsole. Reflective silver heel tabs add visibility during evening city walks.
How Does the March 2023 Baklava Compare With the June 2023 Lapis Lazuli?
While the March 2023 Baklava used volt mesh and brown suede, the June 2023 Lapis Lazuli switched to navy.
The inaugural Baklava pair launched on March 17, 2023, via the artist’s webstore. A global release followed on March 24, 2023, at $220 retail. That same March 2023 calendar also featured the gradient Air Jordan 1 High OG Skyline. Three months later, in June 2023, the duo released a second $220 retail colorway named “Lapis Lazuli” in blue.
In 2024, the partnership expanded into the $190 retail 1906R trilogy. Those three drops were named Rosewater, Medusa Azul, and Scorpius. Collectors rank the original March 2023 runner at the top of the archive. Comparing 4 releases from the line shows how retail pricing and aftermarket values compare.
| Collaborative Model | Release Dates | Retail MSRP | Settled Resale Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 990v6 “Baklava” (OG) | Mar 17 & Mar 24, 2023 | $220 retail | $390 to $650 ($822 peak) |
| 990v6 “Lapis Lazuli” | Jun 22 & Jun 30, 2023 | $220 retail | $265 to $380 StockX |
| 1906R “Rosewater” | May 31, 2024 | $185 retail | $250 to $370 StockX |
| 1906R “Medusa Azul” | June 2024 | $185 retail | $195 to $260 StockX |
How Does the Made in USA 990v6 Fit and Cushion Compared With Standard Runners?
The Made in USA 990v6 runs half a size long in the forefoot and uses FuelCell foam for plush cushioning.
Per US Harmonized Tariff Schedule footwear rules, imported athletic shoes face up to a 20% customs duty. By contrast, the Made in USA 990 series is assembled domestically with at least 70% domestic value. That New England build combines a polyurethane ENCAP rim with a full-length FuelCell foam core.
Wearers with narrow or medium feet typically go down half a size in the 990v6 to eliminate excess toe-box length, while wide feet stay true to size.
The Baklava edition uses thick hiking-style rope laces across the vamp. Double-knotting the top eyelet keeps the heel locked in during long walks. Fleece-lined magenta ankle collars also prevent heel rubbing on day one.
Why Did Early Pairs Average $822 on StockX and What Are the Seller Fees?
Tight March 2023 inventory pushed early Baklava 990v6 StockX listings to an $822 average before settling between $390 and $650.
When selling high-value pairs, marketplace commissions directly impact net payouts. According to the official GOAT fee schedule, sellers pay a 10% base commission plus $5 and a 3% cash-out fee. Under the eBay sneaker selling fee schedule, authenticated shoes priced at $150 or more carry an 8% fee.
On a $480 gross sale for a men’s size 10 pair, eBay’s 8% fee deducts $38. That transaction leaves a $442 net payout for the seller. Selling that same $480 pair on GOAT deducts $63 in combined fees and leaves $417 net. Larger men’s sizes 11 through 13 trade near $600 on secondary exchanges.
| Resale Marketplace | Gross Sale Price | Platform Fee Formula | Net Seller Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay Authenticated | $480.00 sale | 8.0% flat fee ($38.40) | $441.60 net payout |
| StockX Level 1 Seller | $480.00 sale | 9.0% + 3.0% + $4 ($61.60) | $418.40 net payout |
| GOAT Standard Listing | $480.00 sale | 9.5% + $5 + 2.9% ($63.16) | $416.84 net payout |
| Peak Launch Week Ask | $822.00 sale | 8.0% eBay fee ($65.76) | $756.24 net payout |
How Can Collectors Secure SpecializingInLife and Boutique Releases at $220 Retail?
Securing Baklava releases at $220 retail requires monitoring SpecializingInLife email signups alongside global boutique queues.
Every Baklava footwear drop debuts 1 to 2 weeks early on the artist’s Shopify storefront. Those drops use password pages or EQL raffles. Seven days later, the brand’s main webstore and tier-zero boutiques release the remaining pairs. Reviewing our guides on how limited hyped sneakers release and comparing the best sneaker bots helps buyers prepare.
- SpecializingInLife SMS list: Register your email and phone number on the artist’s webstore 48 hours before launch day for early access links.
- Shopify question gates: Prepare for trivia questions and hCaptcha checkpoints on the artist’s Shopify domain.
- Automated checkout software: Multi-site platforms like Valor AIO, Cybersole, and NikeShoeBot automate checkout tasks across Shopify boutiques and brand queues.
- Boutique raffle entries: Enter global raffles at Kith, Bodega, Concepts, and END Clothing ahead of the second release date.
What were the two March 2023 release dates for the inaugural Baklava 990v6?
The shoe released exclusively on the artist’s SpecializingInLife webstore on March 17, 2023, followed by a global launch on March 24, 2023.
What inspired the “Baklava” nickname on the 2023 collaboration?
The name references the artist’s longtime “Mr Baklava” persona and his Baklava Flea Market digital storefront. Meanwhile, the brown and green suede mirrors phyllo pastry and pistachios.
