New Balance Officially Reveals 1906R Loafer [PHOTOS]

Anticipation has mounted for the New Balance 1906R Loafer since Junya Watanabe introduced the sneaker hybrid in January, and now the Boston-based sneaker brand has officially unveiled its active penny loafer.

The New Balance 1906R Loafer will release in September with a staple grey an silver colorway. The sneaker has been pared down with a lower point of entry and the removal of its laces, with a slit overlay wrapping above midfoot instead. Metallic silver synthetic overlays decorate the loafer’s profile to maintain the 1906R‘s DNA, and the sole unit borrowed from the 860v2 remains intact.

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In announcing the 1906R, which had previously been limited to runway shots and leaked images, New Balance has published product shots and campaign images for its sneaker-loafer.

New Balance senior footwear designer Charlotte Lee said in a press release: “When Lani [Perry, senior product manager at New Balance] and I were observing the loafer trend, we felt like it was a natural evolution for us as a brand. Our 2002R had evolved into a mule for a few projects and the loafer felt like a more progressive version of that. We talked a lot about the luxury fashion space and how there is no longer a hard line between sports and luxury. With our previous heritage marketing campaign, ‘What the Well-Dressed Runner Wears’ it felt like a relevant space for us to play in. These conversations resulted in me taking the 1906R artwork and merging it into a loafer form and ideating colour application.” 

The New Balance 1906R Loafer in silver will release September 16 through New Balance’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $160.

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