The New Balance Numeric 480 x Rukus Mallard brings a playful yet thoughtful concept to one of NB’s most underrated skate silhouettes. This collaboration with Rukus Skateshop takes the familiar 480 and dresses it in a nature-inspired palette that immediately stands out without feeling gimmicky.
The 480 itself is New Balance’s basketball-shoe-turned-skate-shoe, a model I’ve already covered in depth before, and this collab leans fully into storytelling. The shoe is inspired by a mallard duck, with each material and color choice tying directly back to the bird: brown to mirror the feathers, yellow for the beak, orange accents representing the feet, and the standout iridescent “N” logo that mimics the sheen of wet feathers. Rukus branding appears on the tongue tag, and the camo insole rounds out the outdoorsy theme nicely.
I’ve wanted this collab ever since I first saw it but missed the initial release, so I didn’t hesitate when it finally popped up on the New Balance site. I grabbed these at retail and don’t regret it at all. They remind me a bit of the Marge Simpson SB Dunk Highs, but with brown instead of blue – something about that color combo really works for me, and it feels right at home on this silhouette.
Rukus did sell a special version with a custom box and extras like a duck whistle, but the wider release pair I picked up comes in a more standard box. That said, we still get a dust bag and a generous lace selection, including cream/white, blue and orange flats and some white-and-black-dotted ropes, which is more than enough to play around with the look.
Materials
Materials are a strong point here. The shoe features premium suede alongside nicely tumbled leather, and the overall construction feels excellent for a $120 New Balance that isn’t part of the Made in USA line. Everything feels well thought out and properly executed, making this collab feel special without inflating the price.
Fit & Comfort
Fit is typical for the Numeric 480. I went true to size and had no issues, though some people note tightness in the midfoot – likely due to the internal tongue straps. For me, they felt structured and supportive rather than squishy, with cushioning becoming more noticeable after some time on foot. Wide footers may want to try a pair on first, but I think true to size works well for most.
If these are sold out at different stores online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: Brown / Yellow
Style Code: NM480RUK
Retail Price: $120
Year of Release: 2025