New Balance, the Massachusetts-based sportswear label, has been making waves in the world of collaborations with the likes of iconic labels, designers and artists. A few of their most successful collaborations in the recent season has been with Aime Leon Dore -founded by Teddy Santis, Bodega snf Beams.

Shifting its focus towards the classic 1906 silhouette, the new iteration follows on from the duo’s initial partnership in 2022, which saw GANNI revive the 2002R with its subtle Scandi spirit.

The upper features a combination of breathable meshes and curvilinear synthetic overlays, outfitted in a striking, performance-inspired palette of bright yellow, black, and white. Co-branded details are led by a distinctive double pull tab at the heel, tongue label, sockliner and a ‘G’ emblazoned lace holder.

The look is finished off with the ABZORB SBS heel cushioning on midsoles and the N-ergy outsoles. Another branding hit is added with the initials of the label on lace-through panels.

The 2002 debuted in 2010 and was considered one of New Balance’s most luxurious running sneakers. It featured a full-length gel midsole tooling, and funnily enough, the New Balance 1906 did too. Why? That is because the 1906 was the original pair that influenced the 2002 model.

From heel to toe, the shape of the New Balance 1906 and its breathable mesh base continued over to the New Balance 2002.

With “R” added to its title to represent its modern-day appearance, there are a few modifications made. You’ll notice that New Balance 1906R now only has the ABZORB gel cushioning unit beneath the heel and not at full-length — just like the 2002R. The design is then complete with New Balance’s N-ergy and Stability Web technologies.

In fact, this midsole is taken from the New Balance 860V2, which entered the market the year after the 2002. Of course, expect the 1906R to come with the same lightweight experience and comfortable cushioning underfoot.

Are New Balance shoes high quality?

A top choice for fitness walkers, New Balance shoes are known for their plush comfort and quality construction. The brand also offers sneakers in a wide range of styles that provide extra support for different types of wearers, like those with flat feet or fallen arches.

Why is New Balance so comfortable?

Walking shoes should provide comfort and support while minimizing foot pain and issues like plantar fasciitis. New Balance’s walking shoes generally have thick, cushioned midsoles that absorb impact, as well as well-designed footbeds that provide arch support (although some of their models are more minimal).

The AURALEE x NB 1906R is primarily constructed from a light grey jumbo mesh, a look that plays into the archival roots of the silhouette. Unlike a lot of the current crop of the 1906R pairs, the deconstructed tooling has been ignored, opting for a simple array of panel cuts that refrain from taking the spotlight.

The description of the collab’s latest 1906R “Bone White” sneaker on the NB’s official website says,

The minimalism-inspired sophistication of AURALEE meets 2000s running with a new, collaborative edition of the 1906R. Neutral tones, premium materials, and artful details provide a refined and elevated take on the silhouette’s tech-forward design.

It further underlines the trailblazing features of the shoe in the following words:

An open knit mesh upper is overlaid with leather and nubuck, with a terry cloth collar lining adding a luxuriant sense of texture. The signature sole unit, sourced from the 860v2, features a combination of flexible ACTEVA LITE cushioning and shock absorbing N-ergy, with segmented ABZORB SBS pods at the heel.

For the uninitiated, the collab’s intriguing sneaker design was presented for the first time earlier in the year during Paris Fashion Week. An elegant and timelessly wearable footwear is produced as an outcome of the seamless combination of the sportive usefulness of the 1906R with the sophisticated and comfortable vibes from the FW23 fashion line from AURALEE.

The materials, color palette, and detailed elements of the 1906R have all been updated to reflect modern tastes. The “Bone White” top now has a suede texture that has been washed, and the “Mojave Desert” colored outsole has been waxed to create a vintage look. These alterations bring out the endearing details that are inherent in traditional footwear.

The collar linings are employed with terry cloth, and the interiors are finished off with co-branded sockliners.

The sole units of the footwear are equipped with ACTEVA LITE midsole padding. These midsole units, along with ABZORB SBS heel components and N-ergy cushioning in the outer sole unit, provide superior shock absorption.

The 2002 debuted in 2010 and was considered one of New Balance’s most luxurious running sneakers. It featured a full-length gel midsole tooling, and funnily enough, the New Balance 1906 did too. Why? That is because the 1906 was the original pair that influenced the 2002 model.

From heel to toe, the shape of the New Balance 1906 and its breathable mesh base continued over to the New Balance 2002.

With “R” added to its title to represent its modern-day appearance, there are a few modifications made. You’ll notice that New Balance 1906R now only has the ABZORB gel cushioning unit beneath the heel and not at full-length — just like the 2002R. The design is then complete with New Balance’s N-ergy and Stability Web technologies.

In fact, this midsole is taken from the New Balance 860V2, which entered the market the year after the 2002. Of course, expect the 1906R to come with the same lightweight experience and comfortable cushioning underfoot.

Are New Balance shoes high quality?

A top choice for fitness walkers, New Balance shoes are known for their plush comfort and quality construction. The brand also offers sneakers in a wide range of styles that provide extra support for different types of wearers, like those with flat feet or fallen arches.

Why is New Balance so comfortable?

Walking shoes should provide comfort and support while minimizing foot pain and issues like plantar fasciitis. New Balance’s walking shoes generally have thick, cushioned midsoles that absorb impact, as well as well-designed footbeds that provide arch support (although some of their models are more minimal).