This New Balance Collaboration Is Inspired by Mushroom Foraging

New Balance Numeric, the Boston-based sportswear company’s skateboarding arm, has treated its 480 sneaker to a number of noteworthy collaborations this year including projects with artist Jeremy Fish and Denver shop 303 Boards, classic skate brand Chocolate Skateboards and most recently, Ronnie Fieg’s Kith. Before 2024 is over, the Numeric 480 is getting at least one more collab, this time courtesy of Michigan skate shop Premier. 

The Premier x New Balance Numeric 480 is inspired by the elusive morel mushroom (aka Morchella) and the sneaker mimics the look of the fungi delicacy throughout its design. The leather upper has been debossed with the honeycomb-like pattern of the morel and the color palette leans on the mushroom’s earthy tones, but Premier didn’t stop there. The shoe’s “N” logo and tongue tag use HyphaLite TC, a plant-based leather-like material which is actually developed using mushrooms. 

“As the last frosts retreat and the spring undergrowth pushes through, a rare and sought-after delicacy reveals itself,” reads Premier’s product description. “Camouflaged in the leaves and ground cover, the morel mushroom is a wild forager’s secret, only appearing for a short time in its natural environment and commonly near where it sprouted the season before. Like the morels, when the snow ahead melts away, we return to our familiar weathered Michigan skate spots, this time with a collaborative New Balance Numeric 480 on our feet.”

Ripe with details, the Premier x New Balance Numeric 480 “Morel” includes a custom box with morel art and a mesh bag which can be used for foraging. 

The Premier x New Balance Numeric 480 “Morel” will be released Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. ET in-store followed by a 2 p.m. ET launch on thepremierstore.com. The collaboration retails for $130 and will be available in men’s sizes 4 through 14.