Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance Release the Gator Run "Hairy Suede" and Revive a Turf-Shoe Relic
Tonal hairy suede sits over a nylon base, finished with an embossed Queens crest and a nubuck “N.”
Name: Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance Gator Run Hairy Suede
Colorway: Angora
SKU: UGTR4DY
MSRP: $129.99 USD
Release Date: Available now
Where to Buy: New Balance
Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance have reworked the Gator Run, pulling the retro turf silhouette out of the New Balance archives and rebuilding it around a layered material package. The unisex pair leads with texture, setting tonal hairy suede overlays against a nylon base in a soft Angora makeup.
The upper does the heavy lifting. New Balance and ALD start with a nylon underlay and mount hairy suede overlays on top in a matching tone, a pairing that trades the original turf shoe’s athletic function for tactile contrast while keeping the color story quiet. The cream-leaning Angora shade runs across the whole silhouette, letting the difference in surface, smooth nylon against brushed suede, carry the visual interest rather than any contrast paneling.
Branding is worked in at specific touchpoints rather than scattered across the shoe. Co-branded detailing appears on the insoles and the woven tongue tags, while ALD’s signature Queens crest is embossed into the heel, a raised hit that doubles as the collaboration’s clearest signature. A nubuck leather “N” logo sits on the sidewall, swapping New Balance’s usual stitched or synthetic marks for a softer material that lines up with the suede overlays.
Underfoot, the Gator Run keeps a straightforward lifestyle setup. An EVA midsole handles cushioning while a rugged rubber outsole adds grip and a nod to the model’s turf origins, and a leather heel tab finishes the collar. The pair’s construction incorporates both cow and pig leather across the build.
