New Balance unveils new ‘Allerdale’ made in UK walking shoe

New Balance is launching a new walking shoe silhouette on 20 March called ‘Allerdale’, named after the borough in Cumbria where the brand’s UK factory is based.

The US sports footwear and apparel giant has been making in the factory in the village of Flimby, on the borders of the Lake District, since 1991.

The new silhouette combines New Balance’s walking shoe heritage and contemporary design for a more formal aesthetic, drawing on the UK’s rich tradition of "refined leisure" as traditionally sported by 70s and 80s geography teachers and northern football casuals.

Designed for "both comfort and elegance", the new style has FuelCell cushioning technology and features a sturdy cupped sole unit with heavy duty stitching and a rugged hiking inspired tread, crafted with premium brown leather and suede fabrications with all-round high quality Made in UK construction.

The shoe also features a walking shoe style speed lacing system and is completed with a minimalist embroidered flying New Balance logo on the side.

Sam Pearce, Creative Design Manager at New Balance, said: "This is a new market opportunity for New Balance, one which looks beyond only retro running by capitalising on a shift towards a more formal and tailored approach to fashion. A cleaner, stripped back silhouette with a focus on premium materials that are already synonymous with Made in UK production.

"Building on the legacy of our revolutionary Hiker models, and our lesser known walking collection of the 1980s – which were also made in England – this design was born and named by its very surroundings. The ‘Allerdale’ is a modern expression of a classic style, built for those who want to walk their own path."

The new silhouette is also a fitting addition to the other styles that have been crafted from New Balance Flimby's factory since 1991, such as the popular ‘991’ and ‘1500’ styles.

Now the Allerdale is set "to take its place as a future icon among the classics", emphasising the dedication for quality and craftsmanship customers have come to admire for all footwear and produced in the Flimby factory.

To go with the launch, New Balance has created an accompanying film and photography aptly shot in Flimby.

The Allerdale will be priced at £220 and available from New Balance’s UK website from 20 March 2025.