The 1400 is a shoe we're big fans of here - once a top-of-the-line runner, now it's been retired into the more gentle life it deserves in later life as a key part of the lifestyle range. This design blew us away in the office and during it's trade show outings this year. For those looking for something obvious, it's easy to pass by - this is a classy silhouette that hasn't been treated with the respect it deserved lately, and the treatment here is superb on close inspection. From a distance, the grey/petrol makeup and off-white midsole seem steeped in tradition, but there's some serious thought at work (word to The Roots) here - NYC design agency, DDC Lab - a company that impressed NB honchos so much, they went and bought it have given this shoe a China-made outdoor-wear makeover. This isn't an equally rugged retread of the excellent 574T either - rather than tricking the shoe out for trail purposes, it's all about the materials.

Waterproof fabrics with mesh-style patterning and a whole lot of reflective panelling make up the lion's share of the upper, before things hark back a little at the rear, implementing some black suede to match the heel counter. Pigskin lining and classic tongue branding show that there's some things that still don't need updating, and complete a design that takes a technical apparel theme and thinks different. We're waiting for a slew of products from other brands in a similar vein, but we can't see 'em making the same impact in terms of execution - if they do, then future seasons will be mighty healthy. An undisputed '09 highlight at Crooked HQ.