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New Balance Infuses an Archival Deep Cut with Retro Hiker Vibes

Originally made as a performance trainer for turf, the Gator Run takes on an entirely new complexion with hairy suede.

Brown suede sneaker with red laces and black studded sole against a blue gradient background.New Balance
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By Jack Seemer

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New Balance is synonymous with ’70s-era runners and Y2K dad shoes. But retro hikers?

The brand makes a compelling case with the Gator Run.

Tan suede New Balance sneaker with red laces and black textured sole.
Reissued for 2026, the Gator Run surfaces in hairy suede.
New Balance
Tan suede New Balance sneaker with red and white speckled laces and black textured sole.
Suede and contrast laces make the shoe an immediate front runner to the retro-hiker trend.
New Balance

A relative newcomer to its roster of archival classics, the low-profile silhouette dates back to the early 1980s.

What started as a performance-oriented turf shoe, however, takes on an entirely new complexion with a hairy-suede upper akin to vintage hiking boots.

Close-up of tan suede New Balance sneaker heel with black textured sole and red laces.
The rubber outsole extends up the heel of the shoe.
New Balance
Tan suede New Balance sneaker with red laces and black textured sole.
The low-profile design originated as a performance turf trainer in the early 1980s.
New Balance

The new variant also boasts high-contrast laces and the same AT Tread outsole that debuted on patent-leather versions from early 2026 (as well as last year’s Allerdale).

Brown suede sneaker with black studded rubber sole and red laces.
The AT Tread outsole makes the Gator Run an obvious choice for light hikes.
New Balance
Light brown rubber outsole of a shoe with a textured tread pattern featuring rectangular and triangular shapes, and a small embossed "NB" logo near the center.
Last year’s Allerdale (pictured) featured a similar outsole design.
New Balance

Availability and pricing

New Balance has yet to confirm details for the new suede Gator Run — codenamed “Timberwolf” — but it’s expected to match previous installments with a price tag around $130.

A light gray version, already live on New Balance’s website, is also in the works and set to arrive in early March.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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