Since announcing their partnership back in 2021, New Balance and Stone Island have put out a slew of notable releases from football cleats to glorified dad shoes. However, until now, they’ve never teamed up on a skateboarding sneaker. The Stone Island Marina x New Balance Numeric 272 changes that narrative entirely, bringing together the technical sailing theming of Stone Island’s Marina line and the raw functionality of NB’s original skating shoe. While most brand collaborations feel like color or material swaps, this one actually feels symbiotic.
A Different Kind of Construction
What immediately sets this 272 apart is its split-level upper construction, something New Balance admits they’ve never attempted before. The lower portion uses premium suede for durability against grip tape, while the upper thinks outside the box with its technical polyester canvas derived directly from Stone Island’s sailing gear.
Reflective details extend to both the upper and the “N” logo, adding Stone Island’s signature tech-forward appeal without compromising the shoe’s skating credentials. Underneath, the vulcanized construction heightens your board feel just in case you’re not looking for these to be merely lifestyle sneakers. The engineered outsole specifically targets impact reduction to mitigate the inevitability of landing tricks on concrete over and over again.
The Marina Connection
Stone Island’s Marina line has always been about translating sailing performance into everyday contexts, and this 272 represents perhaps their most literal interpretation of that concept. The three colorways (white, navy blue, and mustard yellow) pull directly from nautical signaling and safety equipment, while maintaining the clean aesthetic you’d actually want to wear to the skate park.
The sneakers also come with co-branded dry bags and signal whistles, though these feel more like collectible additions than essential gear.
Historic Context
For Stone Island, this represents their deepest dive into skateboarding culture. Their previous New Balance collaborations focused on running and lifestyle models.
But NB’s case is something a bit different. While brands like Vans and Nike SB have long dominated the space, New Balance Numeric has been quietly building credibility since 2013, working with heavy hitters like Andrew Reynolds to develop shoes that actually work for skating.
Even though the 272 the shoe launched as New Balance’s first official skate silhouette, it didn’t gain momentum until recently, specifically through collaborations such as The Museum’s cardboard-inspired version from last year. The Stone Island partnership elevates the model’s status a bunch, proving it to be a legitimate option for skaters, while also showcasing its usefulness as a canvas for high-level design ideas and interpretation.
Spec Sheet
Model: Stone Island Marina x New Balance Numeric 272
Upper: Split construction, suede lower, light-reactive polyester canvas upper
Insole: Ortholite
Sole: Vulcanized rubber construction with engineered outsole
Colorways: White, Navy Blue, Mustard Yellow
Accessories: Co-branded dry bag and signal whistle
Release Date: June 18
Pricing & Availability
Dropping on June 18, the Stone Island Marina x New Balance Numeric 272 can be purchased exclusively through Stone Island’s channels. Access requires a My Stone Island account registration and event sign-up, with purchases limited to one pair per customer. While pricing hasn’t been announced, expect a significant premium over the standard 272’s $75 retail, likely landing somewhere in the $200 to $300 range given Stone Island’s typical markup.
Recap
Stone Island x New Balance Numeric 272
Stone Island applies its sailing gear tech to NB’s Numeric 272 skate shoe, increasing the strength of its upper and the support underfoot.
