One of the year’s buzziest — and most elusive — sneaker collaborations is finally getting a wider release as California-based streetwear brand Basketcase’s link-up with New Balance arrives at select retailers.
Using New Balance’s on-trend, low-profile 204L sneaker as its muse, the tattoo-inspired streetwear brand gives the otherwise subtle shoe an eye-catching edge with hiking and grunge-inspired details woven throughout.
The shoe is colored in a Carafe/Chocolate Brown combination, blending two tones of suede with a golden N logo. The standout feature of the pair comes at the laces, which replace the traditional eyelets with boot-like metal hooks and thick, shaggy shoelaces. Two additional alternate shoelaces are also included.
With a “Pine Valley” theme inspired by Basketcase founder Zach Kinninger’s hometown of Pine Valley, a small southern California community outside of San Diego. The pair hitting retail follows a friends-and-family exclusive version of the New Balance 204L in gray, which was showcased at Paris Fashion Week in June.
Basketcase x New Balance 204L (pair).
New Balance
New Balance has been slow to release collaboration versions of the 204L, though there have been a few so far. Most notably, Kith released the thin-sole sneaker in three summer shades and Japanese label Auraleee has teased two upcoming iterations of the silhouette.
The 204L’s popularity follows the Boston-based sportswear company’s red-hot 530 SL collaboration with Italian high fashion brand Miu Miu. The project was named Collaboration of the Year at December’s 2025 FN Achievement Awards.
Basketcase was founded in 2017 by Kinninger and is heavily inspired by the founder’s affinity for tattoos. The brand’s gothic, punk-leaning aesthetic translates to raw hems and ripped knees mixed with graphics reminiscent of vintage band T-shirts. The brand has previously worked with New Balance on limited-edition 1906A and Minimus MT10 sneakers.
After whetting appetites with the initial gray colorway, the Basketcase x New Balance 204L is finally set to be released on Friday at 10 a.m. ET from newbalance.com following a quick sell-through from Basketcase’s e-commerce store. The sneaker will also be available from select New Balance retailers.
Basketcase x New Balance 204L (lateral).
New Balance
Basketcase x New Balance 204L (medial).
New Balance
Basketcase x New Balance 204L (top).
New Balance
Basketcase x New Balance 204L (heel).
New Balance
Basketcase x New Balance 204L (outsole).
New Balance
