New Balance Allerdale

Allerdale

New Balance has long been known for designing performance running shoes, many of which have been rereleased as lifestyle models. In 2025, the brand deviated from this approach, crafting a new silhouette that honours both its lesser-known walking shoe heritage and its Made in UK line. As such, it is named after the former district in which New Balance’s long-standing United Kingdom factory is located: Allerdale.

The Allerdale’s upper is made from the finest quality European leather or suede, with thick overlays on the forefoot, quarter and heel providing high levels of durability. Built for traversing rugged paths like those found in the hills surrounding the village of Flimby, where each Allerdale is made, it incorporates sturdy D-shaped eyelets that firmly hold the laces in place during long hikes while also referencing earlier New Balance walking shoes like the Allagash and the Rainier.

The New Balance Allerdale also features a powerful boot-like cupsole made of hard-wearing rubber. The midsole contains cutting-edge FuelCell cushioning – a lightweight, durable foam designed to propel the wearer forwards while also protecting them from underfoot impacts. Normally applied to high-performance sports shoes, on the Allerdale, it offers a compelling blend of comfort and responsiveness that makes the walking experience fun and energising. This is supported further by the presence of a plush Ortholite insole and the solid lugs on the shoe’s robust outsole, which give reliable traction over both smooth roads and rough terrain.

The New Balance Allerdale is a distinctive expression of refined luxury and relaxed, semi-formal styling. Its use of premium materials and minimal branding, which simply consists of a sleek logo intricately embroidered onto each flank, produces a highly sophisticated look that pays homage to hiking boots from the New Balance archives while also establishing its own unique style. Just as its name tells a story of the brand’s rich history, so does the meticulously crafted woven patch subtly placed on the back of the tongue. Alongside the word “Allerdale”, it displays an image of a real location from the hills of the United Kingdom’s Lake District National Park – the home of the country’s hiking culture – which is situated just beyond Flimby village.

To accompany the release of the Allerdale in March 2025, New Balance produced a short film epitomising the sneaker’s laid-back yet refined aesthetic. In it, a suave gentleman walks through Flimby in the rich brown and black Tortoise Shell colourway on his way to play a game of dominos with friends. The voiceover explains that he is always “fashionably late” as he takes his time getting there because he “simply loves to walk” in his Allerdale shoes.

Classy, understated and elegant, the New Balance Allerdale transcends the early 2020s trend for retro running shoes to offer something that is boldly modern and undeniably fashionable, with a classic edge. Its heavy-duty construction is strong and protective, while its performance cushioning maximises comfort, allowing the wearer to enjoy casual walks in the utmost style.