Beginner's Guide to New Balance 9060

The New Balance 9060 released in 2022. According to in-house designers James Lee and Yue Wu, who oversaw its development, the chunky silhouette was inspired by early 2000s retrofuturism. After the success of the ’70s-tinged 327 and the ’90s-referencing 57/40, “looking to the 2000s felt like a natural progression,” said Lee.

The design process began in 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, with Lee and Wu mostly working on the project from home. They mined the New Balance archive for aesthetic inspiration, and eventually settled on the 990 series and the performance-driven 860 as visual reference points. Billed as a conduit between old and new, the 9060 is a dramatic interpretation of previous 990 silhouettes. The design expands the original 990’s sway bars to create the effect of visible movement on the upper, while the tongue badge is a nod to the 991’s jeweled forefoot ABZORB pod. Underfoot, the 9060 also uses ABZORB and SBS cushioning technologies on the sculpted Pod midsole, while its diamond-shaped outsole bears similarities to the 860.

Best New Balance 9060 Colorways

The 9060 is regularly released in new colorways and designs. Below, explore a selection of the best colorways.

'Rain Cloud' 

The ‘Rain Cloud’ colorway is rendered in New Balance’s signature grey color palette, mixing various tonal shades on the upper.

'Black Castlerock' 

‘Black Castlerock’ is a casual and versatile colorway, employing black and grey tones throughout the upper. 

'Quartz Gray' 

White and light shades of gray combine on the ‘Quartz Gray’ 9060 for a summer-ready sensibility. Off-white accents on the midsole pods stand out in relief.

'Sea Salt' 

Released as part of the ‘Suede’ pack, the ‘Sea Salt’ color scheme is composed of white mesh and off-white hairy suede.

'Arctic Grey' 

The ‘Arctic Grey’ colorway comprises cool blue and white tones, rounded out by a silver “N” logo.

‘Mineral Red' 

The ‘Mineral Red’ colorway released as part of the ‘Cherry Blossom’ pack. It combines pastel red tones with hits of pink, coral, burgundy, silver and off-white.

'Driftwood' 

‘Driftwood’ features tan hits on the hairy suede, set off by airy white mesh and pops of gray.

Features of New Balance 9060 Shoes

The 9060 is one of the more maximalist designs in the New Balance lifestyle sneaker canon, serving as a synthesis of previous models in the 99X series. Its anatomy can be broken down as follows:

Sway Bars

The 9060 is notable for its thick sway bars inspired by the 990. According to New Balance, this design cue results in a visually dynamic upper that conveys a sense of movement.

Dual Density Midsole and Diamond Outsole

The sculpted pod midsole features exaggerated lines and chunky proportions, loaded with ABZORB and SBS cushioning for a comfortable step. The diamond-shaped outsole is borrowed from the 860.

CR Device

Another familiar design feature of the 990, the CR device at the heel aids motion control and stability. The 9060 version is even thicker than the original.

Tongue Logo

The diamond tongue logo adds a visual flourish, similar to that of the original 991 lace jewel.

Popular Collaborations for New Balance 9060s

Various brands have applied their unique design language to the 9060. The most notable collaborations include:

Joe Freshgoods

Frequent New Balance collaborator Joe Freshgoods announced the ‘Inside Voices’ pack in 2022, showcasing the bright colors that have become a signature feature of the Chicagoan’s design output. The ‘Baby Shower Blue’ and ‘Penny Cookie Pink’ colorways employ light pastel hues in a nod to the innocence of childhood nostalgia.

Mowalola

Nigerian-born, London-based designer Mowalola Ogunlesi’s eponymous label presented two colorways of the 9060, taking inspiration from high-octane pursuits through city streets in cinema. The Y2K-indebted design sees a trove of bright colors pop against a dramatic base.

The Whitaker Group

The creative arm of James Whitner’s The Whitaker Group unveiled a 9060 in ‘Daydream Blue’ and ‘Silver Moss Green’ as part of the ‘Missing Pieces’ pack. The theme explored the potential of youth, “standing up for a vision of society, reality and the world around them that will only emerge through culturally relevant conversation and their committed actions.”

Bricks & Wood

Bricks & Wood founder Kacey Lynch said the colors on the 9060 'Nothing Changed but the Address’ was inspired by his grandmother’s house. The home featured in the launch imagery, with notable hits of electric green mirroring the home’s front lawn.

Popular New Balance 9060 Colors:

Black New Balance 9060s

• Popular black New Balance 9060s include: New Balance 9060 ‘Triple Black,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Black Cat,’ and New Balance 9060 ‘Triple Black Suede’

Pink New Balance 9060s

• Popular pink New Balance 9060s include: New Balance 9060 ‘Pink Haze,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Rose Pink,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Pink Granite.’

Grey New Balance 9060s

• Popular grey New Balance 9060s include: New Balance 9060 ‘Arctic Grey,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Quartz Grey,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Grey Moonbeam.’

Blue New Balance 9060s

• Popular blue New Balance 9060s include: New Balance 9060 ‘Blue Haze,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Chrome Blue,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Eclipse Navy’

Green New Balance 9060s

• Popular green New Balance 9060s include: New Balance 9060 ‘Sea Salt Marsh Green,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Team Forest Green,’ New Balance 9060 ‘Green Grey’

New Balance 9060 FAQ

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