Aminé Will Release New Balance Sneaker on October 2
The rapper's latest collaboration honors Oregon's longstanding Outdoor School educational program.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Hip-Hop and Rap
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Portland rapper Aminé will launch his second school-themed New Balance 992 collaboration on October 2. The sneaker, titled Outdoor School, celebrates the Oregon program that has operated since 1957.
Why it matters
The collaboration highlights the cultural influence of the Oregon Outdoor School, an initiative that provides students with immersive environmental education. It also serves as a personal tribute to the artist's roots in the Pacific Northwest.
The Outdoor School 992 sneaker features a retail price of $220. This marks the second time the artist has partnered with New Balance for a collection inspired by his high school experiences.
The players
Aminé
Aminé is a Portland-born rapper and producer known for his genre-blending music and creative approach to apparel collaborations.
New Balance
New Balance is a global athletic footwear and apparel corporation that frequently collaborates with musical artists on limited-edition designs.
Benson Polytechnic High School
Benson Polytechnic High School is a public school in Portland, Oregon, where the artist graduated in 2012.
Oregon Outdoor School
The Oregon Outdoor School is a long-standing state program that has provided residential environmental education to students since 1957.
The details
Constructed from suede, mesh, and patent leather, the sneakers feature the Club Banana mark, Aminé's signature, and an Outdoor School logo. The packaging for the release includes themed keychains and a wood cookie name tag.
Timeline
The Outdoor School program in Oregon began in 1957.
Aminé graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 2012.
The sneaker releases on the Club Banana website on October 2, 2026.
The sneaker becomes available on the New Balance website on October 9, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This collaboration reflects a broader trend of musical artists anchoring product designs in specific regional history and local cultural institutions. By tying the release to the Oregon Outdoor School, the project differentiates itself within the competitive landscape of limited-edition sneakers.
Consumers can purchase the sneaker exclusively through the Club Banana website starting October 2. Following the initial drop, the footwear will be available to the general public via the New Balance website on October 9.
The takeaway
This collaboration demonstrates how artists can effectively bridge commercial branding with local educational legacies. Fans interested in the release should monitor the specific launch dates on the respective brand websites to ensure access to the limited-edition footwear.
Further reading
Explore more artist-led trends in our Hip-Hop and Rap section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
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