A Review Of The New Balance 9060 Sneakers
Amidst an increasingly bold lineup of noteworthy sneakers, the New Balance 9060 still manages to stand out for all the right reasons. It completely encompasses the hallmarks of what has made the company such a remarkable success in recent history.
Decaf Journal is reader-supported. When you buy links through our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
I think it's fair to say that when it comes to iconic footwear, New Balance has become a force to reckon with in recent years. Their dad-adjacent lifestyle shoes rarely miss, having struck the near perfect balance between comfort, forward thinking aesthetics, and pricing. So it's been particularly interesting to see how they continue to push ahead and innovate even with the abundance of classic models they've already amassed in their prolific lineup.
The New Balance 9060 was introduced in 2022, and is the perfect example of their relentless commitment to challenging the status quo. With inspiration taken from the 990 series and 860 models, designers James Lee and Yue Wu crafted a sneaker that embodies early 2000s Y2K nostalgia and pairs futuristic design cues together into an an entirely new silhouette. Although the 9060 is rooted in New Balance's past successes, the end result is a bold departure from anything they've done before.
I'd been contemplating the New Balance 9060 for some time now, but to be honest I never found that the design spoke to me. It was a bit too audacious for my taste, but that all changed when I saw the newly released Rich Oak with Timberwolf colorway; a cozy autumnal offering that completely transformed my perspective. Though clearly divisive, I started to wonder if this was indeed another brilliant sneaker release, but I just hadn't been open-minded enough to see it.
Now that I've had a pair for several weeks, it's clearly evident that the New Balance 9060 is the most nuanced sneaker I've ever owned.
Materials & Construction
The New Balance 9060 is on the chunkier end of the footwear spectrum but its dimensions are well proportioned and they don't give off an oversized appearance when I'm wearing them. The aforementioned Rich Oak with Timberwolf colorway is comprised of a prominent fuzzy suede upper and denser mesh than I've seen on any other model to date. These exterior materials feel luxurious and offer such a special tactile touch for the senses that I often find myself running my fingers along the shaggy surface.
The interior lining is just as inviting, with a cozy warm blanket-like fabric similar to what you might find on a pair of Blundstones; it's just lovely and provides measurable warmth on a cold day. There are also plenty of little details on the shoe that reinforce the 9060's premium design such as the impeccably stitched heel logo, the little N on the bottom of the toecap, textured laces, and the rarely seen glossy emblem on the tongue.
The top notch construction of the 9060 is rounded out with some direct influences from the New Balance archive that add visual interest and utility. The translucent plastic CR device located on the heel has been sourced from the New Balance 990 and adds a futuristic touch to the sneaker's shape. Similarly, the diamond patterned outsole is an homage to the 860 performance running shoe.
Comfort & Performance
Fans of New Balance will feel right at home with the 9060, as this shoe is right up there with the best of them in terms of comfort. The company's staple technology, ABZORB SBS is included here and offers exceptional heel cushioning, shock absorption, and compression resistance. Indeed, this sneaker offers fantastic heel and forefoot support which is currently unmatched by all of the other footwear brands I've reviewed to date.
The New Balance 9060 fits true to size, and I found the break-in period to be minimal; it felt great and flexible almost immediately. Although I mentioned that it's somewhat chunky, it isn't not unwieldy by any means. Rather, I'd describe the shoe as solid but still reasonably lightweight. It's going to be just perfect for all-day walking.
The tongue is well padded and offers plenty of front facing protection. Likewise, the ankle collar adds stability to help prevent sprains along with a generous amount of insulation that wraps around and cradles the back of the foot. The outsole is sufficiently grippy for general use, but I'd be hesitant to depend on it when traversing over slippery surfaces.
If I were to compare the 9060 among other New Balance sneakers, I'd say that it feels on par with the 580 in terms of comfort, which is a great thing. However, although you could easily use the 9060 for running in a pinch, both the 2002R and 530 models are going to be the better choices here.
As with most non-Gore-Tex models, the New Balance 9060 isn't a great option for inclement weather and cleaning the sneaker thoroughly is going to require a bit more care due to the fuzzy suede upper. It's definitely better suited for clean urban environments than it would be for off-trail hiking. The other potential downside I noted is that the specific thick mesh used in this model appears to be significantly less breathable than other New Balance shoes, but if you won't be running in them then it's likely a non-issue.
Pros
- Tried and true ABZORB SBS technology provides exceptional comfort and support
- Perfect for all-day walking
- Suede and mesh upper feel premium, excellent use of materials
- Beautiful design details throughout
- Fits true to size with minimal break-in period
- Iconic features from other legendary New Balance sneakers have been thoughtfully implemented
- Mid-range price point is reasonable given the value that you're getting
- Available in a wide range of colorways and materials
Cons
- Poor choice for rainy days
- Fuzzy suede requires extra care to clean properly
- Outsole isn't as grippy as other models
- Not an ideal choice for runners
Verdict
Amidst an increasingly bold lineup of noteworthy sneakers, the New Balance 9060 still manages to stand out for all the right reasons. It completely encompasses the hallmarks of what has made the company such a remarkable success in recent history; unparalleled comfort, advanced technology, forward-thinking style cues, and premium materials. All at a mid-level price point that make it accessible to most sneaker heads.
My short list of cons is nitpicking more than anything else, as the 9060 is another near perfect lifestyle shoe from New Balance. Although it isn't tailored specifically to performance athletes, it's an easy recommendation for all-day walking and business casual office environments where its attention grabbing style won't go unnoticed.
In other words, New Balance nailed this one.
