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In a market diluted by knockoffs, imitations, and ABDs, New Balance Numeric are determined to offer an alternative through their progressive and innovative skate shoe design. Whilst most of their contemporaries are frantically tearing through back catalogues for suitable skate shoe ‘reissues’ to stay ahead of the nostalgic nineties style resurgence, Numeric, formed in 2013, don’t have that luxury. Instead, they are looking backwards with the intention to move forwards, adopting the approaches to design that spawned countless iconic shoes in the ‘90s and early 2000s and creating something entirely fresh.
Leading the charge for Numeric, Tiago Lemos is the perfect fit as the figurehead of the Numeric revolution. Tiago embodies the baggy-fitting, puffy-tongued nineties aesthetic that borrowed from the hip-hop scene and came to define the golden era of skateboarding, even breaching mainstream culture. Off the back of his first pro model shoe that quickly became a mainstay of NB#’s range, Tiago’s powerful skateboarding demanded he receive a second model; Numeric blesses us with the 808, a cupsole shoe designed as an alternative to Tiago’s 1010 rather than a replacement. Whilst the 1010 looked to emulate the look of a basketball-inspired shoe from the late-90s, the 808 has its roots in the middle of that period, capitalising on upgrades to legacy skate shoe tech rather than relying on modern innovations.
The 808 is all about preservation and responsive comfort, designed using genuine materials instead of synthetic alternatives for a premium feel and a longer-lasting construction. Featuring an ‘Abzorb’ foam midsole spanning from toe-to-heel and blended with rubber fragments, the shoe has a springy cushion that doesn’t squash out on impact – something that has been gradually lost in today’s slimmed down models. Padding at the internal collar of the shoe cradles the Achilles and provides extra support from ankle rolls, whilst a suede toe cap covers a leather vamp and reaches the sole for another dimension of durability. A classic TPU ghillie lacing system reinforces shoelace protection, and it’s clear that the 808 has been carefully crafted with skaters who cling to the last remnants of their shredded shoes in mind. Lightweight and breathable mesh completes the upper, whilst subtle details like a traditional heel pull and tongue centring straps reiterate the ‘90s vibe.
Dropping a new colourway that speak to Tiago’s distinctive style, the 808 is sure to become a mainstay of the New Balance Numeric collection and we’re excited to see what’s to come, with the promise of a brand new, 808 accompanying video part on the horizon.
