Jaden Smith proved the versatility of New Balance’s 1906L sneaker loafer at this year’s Met Gala, debuting a pair made of patent leather along with his all-black tuxedo and checkered cape. That very same edition of the shoe has now been confirmed for release, giving the public the chance to adopt the same look.
The New Balance 1906L Black Patent Croc features a glossy leather upper amplified by a croc skin texture. Both the overlays and underlays are rendered in the dynamic material, and black remains consistent throughout the shoe, including its TPU heel counter and sole unit, with the exception of its grey heel N-Ergy units and white lateral branding.
New Balance 1906L Black Patent Croc (pair)
New Balance’s sneaker loafer will soon turn a year old, although the conversation around the sneaker dates back to the beginning of 2024. The silhouette debuted through a Junya Watanabe collaboration shown at Paris Fashion Week at the beginning of the year, and polarization became the theme up until the 1906L’s launch in September. Some see the mixing of sneaker and loafer as abomination, while others have taken too the oddity with enough fervor to drive several sell-outs.
The 1906L is an offshoot of an offshoot, as its upper was transformed based on the 1906R. The latter model itself is a relaunched version of the original 1906 from 2009, which saw its sole unit swapped with that of the 860v2 in 2022.
Many other sneaker-loafers have emerged in 2025, but it’s New Balance’s that truly kick-started the trend. The Boston-based brand will soon lean into hybrid silhouettes even further with a moccasin style 1890.
The New Balance 1906L “Black Patent Croc” doesn’t yet have a firm release date but should release relatively soon through New Balance’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $160.
New Balance 1906L Black Patent Croc (lateral)
New Balance 1906L Black Patent Croc (medial)
New Balance 1906L Black Patent Croc (above)
New Balance 1906L Black Patent Croc (heel)
