Since dropping earlier this year, the Allerdale now serves as the refined sneaker that New Balance’s Made in UK range desperately needed. While it might stand out like a sore thumb amongst the retro runners and heritage models that dominate the conversations around the Boston-based brand, the Allerdale was dapper enough to catch the attention of Drake’s London. Now, after spending nearly five decades perfecting the art of handcrafted ties and refined clothing and accessories, the English haberdasher is readying for its first sneaker collaboration, tapping the handsome leather silhouette for the job.
A Meeting of Minds (and Feet)
Founded in 1977 by former Aquascutum employees, Drake’s built its reputation on handmade ties that undergo 18 individual quality checks per piece. Since then, the firm has become one of the most respected names in menswear. And, like New Balance, is known for its own string of brand collaborations, including with the likes of Aime Leon Dore and Fred Perry.
However, for its first-ever shoe project, the Allerdale makes a ton of sense, not only because of its very British style but for its own sophistication. Named after the historic Cumbrian district where New Balance’s Flimby factory calls home (and where these are made), the Allerdale represents a conscious shift toward elevated leisure footwear, drawing inspiration from 1980s walking shoes and the relaxed lifestyle of England’s Lake District.
Adding Some Color
Drake’s take on the Allerdale reads like a love letter to British craftsmanship. The standard Allerdale features a monochromatic upper (most famously in brown), but this new version features an upper that combines rich chocolate tumbled leather with olive green suede panels, creating a tonal depth that’s right in line with the brand’s tailoring heritage. There are five colors represented in total on the outside, including a lighter “chestnut” brown on the collar and toe area, along with a khaki tongue made of ripstop nylon tongue and featuring a subtle grid pattern, a nod to military heritage that Drake’s often incorporates in its designs.
We’d also be remiss not to mention the red-and-cream dotted laces, a direct reference to Drake’s tie-making legacy. On the inside, the footbed features the Drake’s insignia over a yellow fabric. A robust chocolate brown sole maintains the Allerdale’s outdoor credentials with its trail-inspired tread pattern underneath. Although, despite the earthy color palette, I’m not so sure if most people will be trekking through the woods in these stunning sneakers.
Spec Sheet
Model: Drake’s London x New Balance Made in UK Allerdale
Uppers: Chocolate tumbled leather, olive green suede panels, chestnut overlays
Tongue: Olive ripstop nylon with grid pattern
Lacing System: Standard with red-and-cream dotted laces
Outsole: Black rubber with trail-inspired tread
Construction: Made in UK at Flimby factory
Price: $250 (expected)
Limited Edition: Yes, unspecified
Pricing & Availability
Limited to an unspecified edition size, the Drake’s x New Balance Made in UK Allerdale is expected to launch this fall via NewBalance.com and select retail partners. There’s no word on pricing or release date yet, but you can expect this to exceed the standard Allerdale’s $250 price tag, likely with a release in the coming months.
Recap
Drake’s London x New Balance Made in UK Allerdale
Drake’s London taps New Balance’s dapper lifestyle shoe for its first-ever sneaker collab, bringing multi-colored earth tones to the mix instead of the model’s typical monochromatic uppers.
