Double Tap to Zoom
New Balance
1 / 4

New Balance Numeric, the popular skate-focused sublabel of American sportswear company New Balance, is launching a collaboration with Tokyo-based label Challenger. And it is challenging to become the cleanest New Balance skate shoe around. 

The 440v2 is one of Numeric’s most versatile silhouettes, with an appearance closer to classic court shoes than a modern skateboarding design. Challenger takes that base and strips it into a crisp, all-white palette. 

Haiy suede, smooth leather, and tonal stitching keep the upper looking fresh, while subtle pops of Challenger’s branding hide in the details. And as you'll see from the sole unit, this shoe is all about the details.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Flipped over, the bottom of this shoe reveals an icy outsole with a skeletal footprint on beneath. Then, take a look inside, and the shoe reveals a bold graphic insole print filled with Americana references.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

This is a shoe that’s understated up top, but with a story to tell once you look inside. The clean skate shoe facade is hiding artwork in this Challenger collaboration.

Beaneath the hood, the 440v2 shoe keeps its full skatewear spec intact: reinforced ollie zones, a C-CAP midsole for impact control, and grippy NDurance rubber in the outsole.

This collaboration drops exclusively at Challenger’s flagship and online store. If you’re in Tokyo or quick enough online, August 15 is your shot.

Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit the HS Style Guide for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.

We Recommend
  • New Balance's Apricot-Flavored Dad Shoe Is a Tasty Fruit Snack
  • The Miu Miu-Coded, Cortado-Colored New Balance Is For Literal Coffee Runs
  • Steve Jobs’ New Balance Dad Shoe Looks Just as Good 20 Years Later
  • From New Balance to Nike, Browse This Week’s Best Sneaker Releases
What To Read Next
  • Vans Just Turned Grandpa’s Dress Shoes Into a Skater's Staple
  • This Summer-Ready adidas Pack Is Full of Literal Basket Cases. The Good Kind
  • Engineered Garments’ Improved Vans Slip-On Is (Almost) the Same (EXCLUSIVE)
  • adidas' Textured Mary Jane Ballet Sneaker Is the Most Artful of Them All
  • For the First Time, BEAMS Made an Ultra-Rare Arc’teryx Jacket for Everyone
  • This On Sneaker Is Exactly What Your Spring Rotation Has Been Crying Out For