Matt Varga New Balance’s Numeric division is back in full swing. On top of their signature shoes dedicated to the likes of Tiago Lemos and Andrew Reynolds, converted icons reign in the brand’s skateboarding division. The New Balance Numeric 480 has risen like cream to the top, often featuring as the collaborative canvas for many of the company’s collab partners. Rhode Island’s Civil is the next to take their stab at the model, working in local culture and cues to their first NB link-up.
As alluded to in our title, Civil pays homage to their New England roots throughout this pair, taking inspiration from the quahog clam and the laborers that have made their bones off the local delicacy since the region’s very beginnings. The most notable design choice in the wake of that comes with grooved grey suede mimicking the layers of a clam’s shell, but translucent soles and pearlescent trim also allude to the bivalve’s physiology. A skating clam on the insoles and a “harvest” dust bag with co-branding details round out what this fresh catch has to offer.
The Civil x New Balance Numeric 480 is available now via Civil’s site in select sizing, with a wide launch via NewBalance.com. Retail is set at $120 across any of those channels.
