New Balance’s Allerdale has drawn praise for its balance of craftsmanship and restraint since introducing the handmade walking shoe last year, but a more outwardly luxurious variant is on the way with extremely limited production.
The New Balance Allerdale is getting a brown crocodile-textured leather upper for a release exclusively hosted by End. Clothing with just 280 pairs. Each portion of the upper’s surface is made out of the tactile material, which is complemented by brown D-shaped eyelets and laces, as well as a tan leather lining. Grounding the shoe is a black sole unit.
Each iteration of the Alledale is handmade in New Balance’s Flimby, U.K. factory, and the model takes subtle cues from hiking including its lacing system, slight lugs and an inner-tongue tag displaying a mountain vista.
While New Balance’s wider output is held up as the exemplar of “dad shoes,” the Allerdale has been designated a “grandpa shoe” for its seemingly no-frills packaging and stated mission for walking. Inside, though, the midsole makes use of contemporary FuelCell foam for a high level of comfort and propulsion.
Only one collaboration has come on the Allerdale so far, with Drake fittingly bringing its perspective as an English haberdasher.
The croc New Balance Allerdale is available through a raffle on End. Clothing’s website open through Thursday. Pairs will also be available at End.’s European stores on a first-come, first-served basis. Pricing is set at $285.
New Balance Allerdale (pair)
New Balance Allerdale (lateral)
New Balance Allerdale (above)
New Balance Allerdale (heel)
New Balance Allerdale (lateral heel detail)