Junya Watanabe’s World-First New Balance Loafers Drop this Week

First teased during his FW24 showcase earlier this year, Junya Watanabe’s polarising pair of New Balance 1906L loafers are finally confirmed to be releasing this week.

When it was unveiled at Paris Fashion week back in January, the Junya Watanabe x New Balance 1906L Loafer quickly caught fire, causing discourse amongst the sneaker and wider fashion community about whether the shoe should even exist in the first place.

At a glance, New Balance’s first ever loafer is well executed; it‘s proportionate, functional - basically does exactly what it says on the tin, however that doesn’t stop traditional sneakerheads from being unable to wrap their heads around the design, which is likely why New Balance chose the perfect partner to debut the 1906L loafer.

Junya Watanabe is lauded for his blend of functional and classic menswear tropes, with examples of 2-in-1 backpack-jackets perfectly encapsulating what the designer is about and in a similar vein to his sleeveless Stüssy hoodies and patchwork suiting, the New Balance 1906L loafers cover a taboo that should (in theory) never be explored, however there’s something about the utilisation of a running shoe’s sole propping up a classic penny loafer upper that simply just works. 

Borrowing the sole unit and signature heel cage from New Balance’s 1906r runner, the shoe will release in the Junya house colours of triple black and white, constructed from a mix of leather and synthetic uppers, with a contrast-lettered “Junya Watanabe MAN” tag on the tongue.

The Junya Watanabe x New Balance 1906L loafer will release this Friday, October 18th at Dover Street Market Ginza and select retailers across Japan.

Retail price is estimated at $330 USD (￥49,500).