schuh x New Balance: ABZORB More

Less scrolling, more living. Sounds good? We think so. Last Wednesday, we teamed up with New Balance to take things offline for ABZORB More: a one-night creative takeover at The Art House in Hackney, London, celebrating culture, creativity, community, and, of course, our latest trainer obsession: the ABZORB 2010.

Designed to bring people together beyond the algorithm, ABZORB More was all about slowing down, discovering something new, and making real connections. We’re talking hands-on creative workshops, custom sneaker accessories, great food, live DJ sets, and a whole lot of good energy – basically, the kind of Wednesday night we’re totally here for. Here’s what went down.

Taking Discovery Offline with schuh x New Balance

When was the last time you discovered something new without scrolling past it first? That was the idea behind ABZORB More: creating a space for our community to put their phones on DND, get inspired, and connect with the creative people around them.

Hosted at The Art House in the heart of Hackney, our event brought together London’s creative community for an evening of shared experiences, unexpected discoveries, and good old-fashioned IRL connection. We welcomed our guests to an immersive gallery space dedicated to the New Balance ABZORB 2010, giving everyone the chance to get up close with the silhouette behind the event.

But the vibes definitely didn’t stop there – from getting stuck into creative workshops to meeting new faces over dinner, the evening was packed with opportunities to try something different. Good vibes? Guaranteed.

Communal Spaces, Creative Workshops, & Seriously Good Energy

At the heart of ABZORB More was the Shared Table: a communal space bringing our people together through creativity, conversation, and a shared love of trying new things. With Fellow Humans on hosting duties and Come Together serving up some seriously creative sharing platters and canapés paired with customised drinks, meeting new people had never felt so easy (and fun).

Of course, no schuh event would be complete without a solid soundtrack. DJ Miamor and Sola Sounds kept the energy high and the good vibes going all evening. Good music, great food, and even better company? An elite combo.

The evening kicked off with an exclusive clay charm workshop led by London-based sculptor Hannah Lim, where our guests got hands-on designing and sculpting their own custom lace and footwear charms (inspired by the ABZORB 2010’s distinctive design, of course). And the creative energy definitely didn’t stop there: Yougi Botanicals hosted a guided fragrance blending session, where guests explored 32 different essential oils to create their own personalised sneaker sprays, while our screen-printing station let guests get stuck into customising one-of-a-kind tote bags to take home with them. 

Meet the New Balance ABZORB 2010

Now, let’s talk about the trainer that brought us all together. Say hello to the New Balance ABZORB 2010 – aka the sneaker your autumn/winter rotation has been calling for. Blending retro running influences with modern comfort, the ABZORB 2010 nails that nostalgic, tech-inspired aesthetic. Think layered uppers, chunky sculpted soles, signature New Balance detailing, and ABZORB cushioning designed for all-day comfort. 

The forecast? Fresh NB ‘fits – and the colourway options are seriously good. Serve statement colour with the ABZORB 2010 in green, keep things sleek and neutral in the taupe and grey colourway, or switch things up with the rich brown colourway and its soft pink accents. Whatever your vibe, there’s a pair with your name on it.

Pair your ABZORB 2010s with baggy denim and an oversized knit for an effortless off-duty ‘fit, or team them with parachute pants or wide-leg tailored trousers plus your favourite winter layers. However you’re planning on wearing it, consider this sneaker your new-season uniform.

Discover New Balance at schuh

From inspiring creative workshops to shared meals with new friends, ABZORB More brought together everything we love about London’s creative scene. And the best part? All those little moments you can’t plan for – conversations with new people, discovering your next creative obsession, and making memories that exist outside your camera roll. Turns out, logging off and getting stuck into something new really does hit different.

And if the ABZORB 2010 caught your eye? Get ready to meet your new rotation favourite. Explore our latest New Balance collection at schuh and find the pair your sneaker line-up has been waiting for.