New Balance’s 204L finds a sweet spot between archive and modernity: its low-slung profile, layered construction and athletic proportions reference the brand’s running heritage, while its pared-back shape has made it an easy proposition for the fashion set.

For our size? exclusive iteration, we’ve taken that familiar silhouette and given its materials a complete rethink. A maximalist rethink. At the heart of our NB 204L is pattern play. The usual mesh or suede base has disappeared, replaced by a green seersucker gingham, while dark brown hairy suede overlays bring a more tactile, grounded finish. It’s a deliberate material shift, but one that changes the shoe’s character entirely. There’s something inherently nostalgic about gingham too – tablecloths, summer dresses, French-market afternoons – but transplanted onto a technical runner, the juxtaposition starts to feel much more fashion than farmhouse. The appeal is in taking a familiar pattern and putting it somewhere unexpected. Here, that means putting seersucker gingham on an NB running shoe. 

There’s a growing appetite for things that look made rather than manufactured – materials with texture and a sense of hand. Crochet, cord, rope, hand-beading, patchwork; the more tactile, the better. The 204L taps into that mood, bringing a crafted feel to a silhouette rooted in sport, which brings us to NOTS.

Based in Manchester, NOTS is the brainchild of maker and designer Mills, whose practice sits somewhere between climbing culture, craft and pure creative curiosity. NOTS began with a love of the outdoors and making things by hand, but has grown into something much more expansive: a playful universe of rope, knots, handblown glass beads and unexpected combinations. 

To celebrate the launch of the New Balance 204L size? exclusive, size? partnered with NOTS for a community workshop at Altogether Otherwise. Rather than simply looking at the 204L, the idea was to get involved with it. Mills explored different ways to tie and rework the 204L’s laces with us, turning something as functional as a knot into a design detail in its own right. Lace charms added another layer of personality, with handblown beads making each pair feel completely yours. It’s this sense of play that makes NOTS so fitting for the 204L. Its pieces might borrow from climbing hardware and traditional techniques, but there’s always a looseness to the way they’re used. And then there’s the wrapping. Furoshiki-style, with a reusable Japanese wrapping cloth to take your pair home in – a fitting final nod to NOTS’ love of craft and considered making.

The women’s New Balance 204L size? exclusive releases on 21.08.2026 – consider this your heads up.