Latest Pickup: New Balance Made in UK Allerdale ‘Moorland Textures’

With the New Balance Made in UK Allerdale ‘Moorland Textures’, one of New Balance’s most exciting lifestyle trainers takes on a look that could hardly be more suited to the current season. Instead of classic grey or clean beige, New Balance has opted for warm brown, muted olive and unusual materials. The result is more reminiscent of the British countryside than a typical retro runner.

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We’ve taken a closer look at the new Allerdale, and it’s the combination of waxed suede, different finishes and the dark sole that makes this colourway particularly interesting to us.

The colourway is officially called Bison/Military Olive and features two earthy shades. The warm brown runs across the side panels, the mudguard and the heel. This is complemented by a subtle olive green on the toebox, the tongue and around the collar.

We particularly like the fact that New Balance doesn’t just distribute the colours across different panels, but also plays with the textures. The brown suede has a soft, slightly textured feel, whilst the olive-coloured sections have a noticeably finer texture.

The dark brown sole echoes the richer tones of the upper and provides a lovely finishing touch to the shoe. The embroidered NB logo on the side also remains dark and blends discreetly into the colourway.

For us, the real highlight of the Allerdale is the material. New Balance uses high-quality suede with a light wax coating, which gives the upper a distinctive finish.

What’s particularly striking is the finely textured finish on the front. The criss-cross embossed texture is reminiscent of woven fabrics and creates a look that’s quite different from the classic suede we’re used to seeing from New Balance.

The inspiration comes from traditional waxed cotton jackets from the UK, which have been a staple of outdoor wear for generations. New Balance draws on precisely this concept with the Allerdale.

You can see the different textures particularly well in our detailed images. The suede appears almost slightly uneven in places, whilst the olive-coloured sections look noticeably smoother. It is precisely this mix that makes the shoe interesting, even though the colour palette is actually quite understated.

New Balance remains true to its outdoor ethos when it comes to lacing too. Instead of traditional trainer eyelets, the Allerdale features a D-ring lacing system inspired by hiking boots.

Added to this are dark brown woven laces, which complement the brown suede perfectly. They look slightly thicker than standard trainer laces and enhance the rugged look.

Visually, the Allerdale is reminiscent of a traditional walking shoe, but when it comes to cushioning, New Balance relies on modern technology.

The cup-shaped sole features FuelCell cushioning, designed to provide a pleasantly cushioned running experience. This is complemented by an Ortholite insole, which further enhances comfort.

The construction therefore differs significantly from the classic 99X models. Whilst a 991v2 displays its technical running DNA quite openly, the Allerdale conceals its cushioning beneath a much simpler silhouette.

The wide, dark rubber sole complements the rest of the design perfectly and emphasises the shoe’s walking-oriented character. For us, it’s exactly the right blend of traditional styling and contemporary trainer technology.

What we particularly like about this release is its suitability for everyday wear. Brown suede, military olive and the dark sole work brilliantly with denim, loose-fitting chinos or slightly wider trousers in beige, brown or black.

That said, the Allerdale doesn’t have to be styled like an outdoor shoe. It’s precisely when paired with a simple outfit that the combination of a walking silhouette and high-quality materials really comes into its own.

The craftsmanship of the various panels also plays a part in this. The embroidered branding, the D-ring eyelets and the different textures provide plenty of detail without making the shoe look overloaded.

Conclusion
We consider the New Balance Made in UK Allerdale ‘Moorland Textures’ to be one of the most interesting versions of this silhouette. We’re particularly taken with the waxed suede and the combination of bison and military olive.

For those who usually go for the 990, 991 or 993, this offers a lovely alternative with a much stronger walking and outdoor influence. The materials make all the difference, and this Allerdale is likely to be taken out of the shoe cupboard quite often, especially in autumn.

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The New Balance Made in UK Allerdale ‘Moorland Textures’ (UADWGRB) is now available for €250 from New Balance.