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New Balance has added GORE-TEX weather protection to its Numeric 480 skate shoe, in a Black/Charcoal Grey colorway. The model is scheduled to reach skate shops on Oct. 9 and New Balance’s website on Oct. 12 for $160; the standard 480 typically sells for $100.
New Balance is adding GORE-TEX weather protection to its Numeric 480 skate shoe, with the new Black/Charcoal Grey version scheduled to arrive at skate shops on Oct. 9 and on the brand’s website on Oct. 12. The $160 release is the first GORE-TEX version of the 480, a skate model sometimes compared with Nike’s Dunk.
The new shoe pairs the 480’s existing skate-oriented design with a GORE-TEX membrane. Highsnobiety reports that the material is intended to keep the shoe dry while allowing breathability in wet conditions. That describes the product’s stated function; the report does not provide independent testing or performance measurements.
The announced color is Black/Charcoal Grey. The release schedule gives skate shops the first availability on Oct. 9, followed by New Balance’s website on Oct. 12. The listed price is $160, compared with about $100 for the standard 480, according to Highsnobiety.
That makes the weatherproof version a $60 premium over the standard model’s typical retail price. Buyers are paying more for the addition of GORE-TEX, but the source does not itemize the cost or say whether other construction details differ. It also does not list other colorways, sizes, or retailers beyond the skate-shop channel.
A Rain-Ready Option for Skaters
The release takes a familiar skate shoe and adapts it for wet-weather use, a practical change for people who skate or commute in conditions where ordinary footwear can become damp. GORE-TEX footwear may also appeal to shoppers looking for weather protection in a low-profile sneaker rather than a dedicated boot or trail shoe.
The price is a meaningful part of the news for buyers: at $160, the new version costs more than the standard 480’s typical $100 retail price. The announcement gives shoppers a clear choice between the less expensive standard shoe and a version with a weather-protection feature, though the source does not establish how well the new model performs in prolonged rain or heavy exposure.
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The 480 Gets Its First GORE-TEX Build
New Balance Numeric is the brand’s skateboarding line, and the 480 is described by Highsnobiety as a skate shoe with a straightforward design. The report uses the nickname “NB Dunks” as a comparison to Nike’s Dunk, rather than identifying the shoe as a Dunk or as a Nike product.
New Balance has released other GORE-TEX footwear, including versions of the 1906 and DynaSoft trail-running shoes, according to the report. The Numeric 480 is the first model in that line to receive the material, making this a new application of the brand’s weather-protection approach to its skate range.
Highsnobiety’s original report says the shoe was due at skate shops on Oct. 9, then at New Balance online on Oct. 12. It does not identify the year in the supplied material, so the dates should not be read as confirmation that the shoes are currently available.
““New Balance has weatherproofed its 480 skate shoes.””
— Highsnobiety
Performance and Availability Details
The supplied report does not state the release year, whether the scheduled dates changed, or whether the shoe is now in stock. It also does not provide a product page, full technical specifications, or details on sizes, additional colorways, and retailer inventory.
Highsnobiety describes the GORE-TEX version as dry and breathable in wet conditions, but gives no test results or specific water-resistance rating. The degree of protection in different conditions, as well as any effect on fit, weight, or skate performance, remains unreported. The article also does not clarify whether the $160 price applies across all markets.
Check Retailers for Release Status
According to Highsnobiety’s schedule, the shoe was to arrive at skate shops on Oct. 9, followed by New Balance’s website on Oct. 12, at a listed price of $160. Readers looking to buy it should check New Balance and local skate retailers for current stock and regional pricing, since the supplied source does not confirm present availability.
Further product details, including size availability, other color options, and any performance specifications, would need to come from New Balance or participating retailers. Until then, the confirmed points are the GORE-TEX addition, the named colorway, the listed price, and the release dates reported by Highsnobiety.
Key Questions
What is the New Balance Numeric 480 GORE-TEX?
It is a GORE-TEX version of New Balance Numeric’s 480 skate shoe. The source describes the material as intended to help keep the shoe dry while remaining breathable.
When is the shoe scheduled to be released?
Highsnobiety reported a skate-shop release on Oct. 9, followed by a New Balance website release on Oct. 12. The supplied report does not state the year or confirm current stock.
How much does the GORE-TEX 480 cost?
The reported price is $160. Highsnobiety says the standard 480 typically retails for $100, making the weatherproof version $60 more by those figures.
What color is the new version?
The reported colorway is Black/Charcoal Grey. The source does not name additional color options.
Has the shoe’s waterproof performance been independently tested?
The supplied report does not include independent testing, a water-resistance rating, or performance measurements. Its description of the shoe staying dry and breathable is a product claim reported by Highsnobiety.
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