New Balance 1890A: between loafers and running sneakers
Words, SVD. Photo, New Balance.
July 2, 2026.
In recent years, New Balance has shown that some of its most interesting ideas come from breaking the rules. Following the success of hybrid models like the 1906L, the “Loafers”, the Boston-based brand is once again pushing boundaries with the new New Balance 1890A: a silhouette inspired by the iconic Wallabee and reinterpreted through the technical sportswear language that defines the brand.
New Balance 1890A
The New Balance 1890A first appeared during Paris Fashion Week 2025, when New Balance Chief Marketing Officer Lee Stuart was spotted wearing a prototype that quickly sparked curiosity throughout the sneaker community. While the 1890, first introduced through the collaboration with Action Bronson, features a design closer to a traditional running sneaker, the 1890A stands out with a far more unexpected approach.
The model combines the technical platform of a performance runner with an upper inspired by Clarks' iconic Wallabee loafer. Its ABZORB-cushioned midsole, inherited from models like the 2002, is paired with a moccasin-style upper featuring visible stitching, and the signature U-shaped seam wrapping around the forefoot. The result is a silhouette that sits somewhere between a sneaker, a loafer, and a slip-on, continuing the exploration New Balance began with hybrid designs like the 1906L.
The silhouette’s potential has not gone unnoticed within the fashion world. During the latest Paris Fashion Week, Comme des Garçons unveiled its own reinterpretation of the New Balance 1890A, crafted in premium leather and suede with co-branded detailing and offered in two monochromatic colorways: black and wheat.
The first version arriving at SVD will be the New Balance 1890A (U18907P8). This release combines pale yellow leather with snake-effect overlays, reinforcing the model’s experimental character and making it one of the boldest proposals of the season.
The line will continue to grow with two additional colorways (U18905JK and U18906M2), arriving at SVD in August and September. These versions feature olive green leather and a gray-and-beige suede construction, respectively.
