Junya Watanabe’s Viral New Balance Loafer Collab Is Coming Out This Month

It could be argued that one of the year’s most anticipated sneaker collaborations isn’t actually a sneaker at all. To call the New Balance 1906 Loafer (1906L for short) unexpected would be an understatement. When it debuted on the runway in January at Junya Watanabe Man’s fall 2024 show, no one knew exactly what to think — but it sure got people talking. 

Fusing the sole and techy TPU overlays of the popular New Balance 1906R sneaker with the laceless, low-cut opening of a penny loafer...