When New Balance dropped the Allerdale back in March 2025, many were understandably confused by the silhouette. Part formal shoe, part sneaker, it crystallized the essence of the ‘dad’ shoe. 

One year and several new colorways like the new Black/Gum iteration later, however, and the world of sneakerheads has warmed to the style, embracing it for the wildly versatile silhouette that it is. 

In 2026, the amount of all-leather sneakers on the market is surprisingly low. It’s a niche that the Allerdale fits squarely into, blurring the boundary between an old-school leather shoe and a sneaker.

With its Court-style shape, it’s incredibly versatile. It looks as good with shorts as it does with tailored trousers, and this is only emphasized by its understated colorways.

Among the best is the latest Black/Gum iteration. Combining black suede and black leather, the shoe has a textured finish that adds depth to the monochrome upper while a time-tested gum sole unit rounds out the toned-down aesthetic.

As part of New Balance’s Made in UK range, you can expect premium materials here that add to the shoe’s longevity, hence a slightly elevated price tag of $275.

While many of footwear’s biggest names race to establish the latest tech, New Balance’s Allerdale epitomizes the brand’s bet that the classics will always win.

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