Stanisland Magazine

Revealed: New Balance 1906L Loafers for Creatives in Fresh ‘Grey Days’ Colourway.

New Balance calmly rebranded itself over the last few years, having run away (no pun intended) from their “dad shoe” label, they reinvented themselves through innovative redesigns of their catalogue.

Employing attractive design paired with a stylistic interpretation of their footwear, they recently turned their attention to another audience: creatives.

What You Need to Know

Artists regularly pair art with fashion; the two go hand in hand. Their realisation of all things bold and colourful spills over into another part of the spectrum–something New Balance has picked up on.

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This month, they drop a fresh pair of sneakers/loafers for those who want to switch between function and smart/casual.

Incorporating a shock absorbing sole, a new variant of the 1906L Loafer (Raincloud” colourway (Style Code: U1906LGR) gets a release this month in a raincloud/white scheme. Having first debuted at Junya Watanabe MAN’s FW24 Paris Fashion Week show, the brand positions it as a runway-backed sneaker, not just another colour scheme.

As a tribute to the “Grey Days” theme that NB often uses as part of its hue spectrum, it boldly reinvents the first iteration of the design, with subtle branding on the tongue (“N” and “1906L).” It can be paired with a broad range of fashion choices, including wide-leg trousers, streetwear and tapered tailoring.

With a soft suede finish, it features a breathable mesh atop a clean white sole, making this shoe a desirable cop for anyone seeking to switch between meetings and more creative activities like photoshoots or styling. It’s backed by its N-ergy sole technology, the same system often applied to its running trainer models.

What to Expect

New Balance generally provides reliable footwear and is known for its comfortable fits that alleviate foot fatigue. There is no indication that their fresh reveal will arrive in a wide or specialist fit, making this a release for generic standard sizing (D width).

That said, most shoes should be fitted with room to breathe, and the lack of variable widths could pose an issue, especially if you’re constantly on the go. Ill-fitting footwear can increase the risk of hammertoe, bunions, and hallux rigidus (narrowing of the toe joint).

However, if the shoe fits, then these look to be a great prospect for crep lovers everywhere.

Where to Buy the New Balance 1906L Loafer “Grey Days”

The loafer is slated for release, May 14th, 2025 and will retail for $160. At present, it’s available to purchase directly from the brand, with listings due to be updated.