New Balance 1906L

1906L

The original New Balance 1906 was released in 2009 as a premium running shoe, before being brought back in 2022. Known as the 1906R, the reboot had the sporty look of its predecessor and an enhanced sole unit that delivered even better performance. In the years that followed, New Balance launched a series of variations on this comeback silhouette, including an unconventional hybrid sneaker called the 1906L.

The letter ‘L’ in the shoe’s name stands for “loafer”, which reveals exactly what the New Balance 1906L is: a combination of the 1906R and the timeless slip-on shoe. Inspired by the 2002R Mule from 2022, it features the exact same sole unit at the 1906R, which is based on that of the 860v2, with a lightweight, shock-absorbing combination of ACTEVA LITE foam, N-ergy Gel and ABZORB SBS heel pods. An Ndurance rubber outsole provides durability and traction, while the Stability Web midfoot support stabilises the foot, making it a great all-round performance design.

The upper of the New Balance 1906L delivers elegance and style through a reworked design that incorporates a leather strap in place of any laces, giving the refined look of a traditional penny loafer. The breathable mesh base layer of the original remains, as do the dynamic overlays and the sturdy heel cage. While the large sidewall logos no longer fit, a subtle “N” appears on the forefoot, with more delicate branding on the heel and toe.

The 1906L was launched via a stunning collaboration with Japanese fashion designer Junya Watanabe, who designed two sophisticated loafers whose monochrome, all-leather uppers lean into the formal side of the silhouette. Revealed at Paris Fashion Week in January 2024, they created so much hype that when the first general release colourways came out later that year, they were a huge success. New versions were added to the collection in 2025, including the suave ‘Rich Oak’ colourway, which is made from luxurious brown suede.

The New Balance 1906L is a progressive lifestyle sneaker that offers something completely different to anything else in the series. With its casual, slip-on feel and comfortable performance sole, it is a highly distinctive silhouette which boldly combines contemporary fashion and heritage running technology.