The New Balance 1906L is Exactly What the Sneaker Game Needed

Back in the summer of 2024, the New Balance 1906L was unleashed. And, almost immediately, it was being called the “Sneaker of the Year” by many. Ironically, this so-called “Sneaker of the Year” wasn’t even a sneaker. In fact, as you can probably already guessed by the the letter “L” in its name, it was actually a straight-up loafer.

Sure, this hybrid silhouette was divisive – controversial, even. Many had issues calling it a trainer in the first place, but when you really think about it, it might just be the most important trainer of the entire decade. Don’t believe us? Well, allow us to explain.

The sneaker game is beyond saturated. New colourways are being announced every single day. New collaborations are being announced every single week. And even shoes that we’d never thought we’d ever see again (like the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 and the Wu-Tang x Nike Dunk High) are being brought back from the dead. It’s almost like brands don’t know how to be creative anymore or think outside the box. And that’s where the 1906L hits different.

Yes, this snoafer is based on the legendary 1906R running shoe – there’s no doubt about that. But even though the N-ERGY midsole remains totally intact, the upper has been redesigned from the ground up. While other sportswear company have literally sewn on a classic loafer and called it a day, the Boston label has gone ten steps further by keeping in line with its athletic aesthetic. The base, for example, is crafted from the sort of mesh that you’d find on a retro track trainer. And it’s overlaid by synthetic leather panels that also borrow elements from vintage designs. That said, you’ll also get the traditional penny-style tongue and a glossy heel counter around the back, resulting in a mish-mash of eras that’s unlike anything else out there.

But it’s not just its interesting design that has everyone begging for more. Because the 1906L is also something of a commentary when it comes to dress codes. During the coronavirus pandemic, when everyone was forced to work from home, we were all used to dressing in hoodies and tracksuits and comfy kicks. Five years later, now that everyone’s back in the office, the 1906L blurs this dress code, experimenting with the idea that sneakers for work and play genuinely exist. We get it: you probably won’t wear this to your company’s Q2 meeting, but that’s not the point. It’s a symbol that both worlds can go hand in hand, especially in this day and age. It’s basically the bridge between officecore and corporate casual.

Plus, it’s a reimagination of the dad shoe trend that we’ve all come to love. Back in 2017, the idea of wearing big, chunky trainers was just out of the question for many sneakerheads out there. This was during the time when adidas icons like the NMD and the Ultraboost ruled the roost. Now, everyone’s got one or two or three (or four) pairs of beefy sneaks in their everyday rotation. And with the introduction of the 1906L, it redefines the “dad shoe” trend altogether. In fact, some of you have dubbed it the “grandad shoe” trend. And with the addition of the new Allerdale in their 2025 collection – that’s inspired by the district in Cumbria that’s famous for its shoemaking heritage – it’s clear that New Balance are really gassing up this new-found footwear fad.

So is the New Balance 1906L the most important trainer of the entire decade? Well, it depends on personal preference, of course. Some prefer classics like the Air Jordan 1 and the Samba OG. But if you’re in the market for something that’s entirely different, this snoafer might just be exactly what you need in your life.

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