New Balance Officially Reveals Its Highly Anticipated 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.

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.