Drake’s and New Balance

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Cumbria, Flimby is where New Balance hand crafts its Made in England range of premium footwear.

We’re proud to introduce the Drake’s and New Balance Allerdale, a new silhouette with the feel of an old favourite, constructed from tumbled brown leather and pig skin, with a FuelCell-equipped cup sole and Ortholite insole, Japanese nylon ripstop tongue, embroidered flying NB logo and unique D-ring lacing, complete with three pairs of outdoor-inspired paracord laces, channelling the UK’s legacy of country pursuits and craftsmanship. A shoe fit for the fells and the city, and everything in between.

“Working alongside New Balance has been a long-standing ambition of mine,” says Drake’s Creative Director Michael Hill. I’ve always admired their approach to classic design, quality and their appreciation for doing things the right way. It felt like a natural fit.”

“I wanted to create a shoe that was equally at home on Savile Row or Canal Street as it was out and about in the countryside,” adds Hill. “The Allerdale feels vintage, in the best way possible, so we wanted to embrace that with the addition of brown leather, green suede and a jolt of orange paracord with the laces. These are colour and materials that we often incorporate into Drake’s collections. It was hugely enjoyable to work alongside New Balance to see how our philosophy and approach could be applied to a pair of trainers, as well as clothing.”

To coincide with the launch of the Allerdale, Michael Hill and New Balance put their heads together to design a limited edition collection that highlights the British outdoors and a handful of Drake’s staples, including an unstructured Games blazer and matching fatigue trousers in waxed herringbone cotton, a packable shirt, cagoule and utility vest in hardy ripstop nylon, hiking shorts and button down shirts, graphic t-shirts, knitted ties, and a tote bag that comprises all the fabrics utilised throughout the collection.

In the Drake’s and New Balance campaign film, actor and comedian Charlie Cooper road tests the Allerdale and the limited edition collection, surrounded by the outstanding natural beauty of the Lake District.