New Balance Sneakers WL996 Light Brown I wore these twice, but I'm selling them because I bought a half-size larger pair. Description: The "WL996" is a women's re-release of the "996" model, which was originally released in 1989. It closely resembles the original. The WL996 retains the stability and comfort of the 996, while its slim silhouette and thin sole make it elegant and easy to pair with various outfits.