Matt Varga If you read our coverage in the front half of 2025, you may remember us noting that, for a moment, New Balance seemed to be behind in the slim-sole movement, curious given they had been at the cutting edge of trends like the “sneaker loafer.”
In the time since, the brand has made it easy to forget that such a thing was ever a concern, issuing multiple embraces of that compositional wave with the New Balance 204L at the forefront of that effort. LA imprint Basketcase has already played an integral role in that story, giving the running-inspired model an elevated makeover and a Fashion Week moment with their grey colorway earlier in the year, though sadly the shoe remained exclusive to friends and family.
Some months later, now a Basketcase x New Balance 204L is finally coming to the public. The follow-up effort, titled the “Pine Valley,” is one of deep aesthetic contrast; the 204L’s fashion-forward hardware remains intact, with red and blue fuzzy lace options leaning into that delicate punch. However, the overriding mission of this shoe is one of ruggedness, executed via a rich brown colorway and hiking boot lace stays. Shift to the interior of this shoe for leather liners and flannel insoles, final touches that connect to the grunge aesthetics at the heart of this collaboration.
The Basketcase New Balance 204L “Pine Valley” is set up for a staggered launch, first dropping via an in-person Pine Valley pop-up. A HENCH and Basketcase.gallery drop will follow on December 12th before a Dover Street Market NY pop-up gives fans another chance. Finally, a global launch via New Balance on December 19th brings the collaboration global. Be ready for a $150 retail price across all of those channels.
