New Balance 1906D ‘Protection Pack’

This delightfully monochrome New Balance 1906D ‘Protection Pack’ sneaker comes from a stunning collection of rebellious designs by innovative creator Yue Wu. Not only does it have a bold aesthetic, it is also packed with powerful technologies that help to support the wearer throughout their day. This begins underfoot on the light grey N-ergy outsole, whose edges are lined with angular grip pads centred around a series of diamond shapes that all contribute to the feature’s shock-absorbing qualities. A grid of diamonds appears below the middle of the forefoot, and more curved grip pads arc across it from the medial side, creating wonderful patterns there. New Balance branding shows up beneath the heel just ahead of a piece of text that reads “Ndurance” as an indication of the tread’s durable properties. In the centre of the outsole, a small oval reveals the presence of Stability Web arch support, whose lightweight but strong build delivers a rigidity that prevents midfoot flex and the potential injuries associated with it.

Along with this high-tech base, the ABZORB midsole houses soft cushioning that incorporates special ABZORB SBS padding in the heel. This makes the walking experience both comfortable and safe for the wearer, while the off-white colouration on its exterior brings a gentle tonal contrast against the upper. Various grip patterns have been etched into the medial midsole, giving it a compelling texture, and spongy structures with hints of silver wrap around the heel and onto the lateral side. Swooping lines then decorate the rest of the lateral midsole, and a piece of N-ergy text in deep Crimson highlights the midfoot.

Meanwhile, the dynamic upper comes in an eye-catching Silver Metallic tone throughout. This includes the mesh underlayer that stretches from heel to toe to provide high levels of breathability across the foot, and the leather overlays that form jagged bands across its surface. These overlays have been layered up in pairs for added depth, and their edges have been roughly cut to bring about a deconstructed aesthetic. Some shape a triangular structure over each flank, while others create a frame that spans the forefoot. A larger panel acts as a mudguard around the toe, and more Silver Metallic strips reach up to the sides of the heel. Below this, a protective heel counter with curving lines and off-white NB branding in the centre serves to bolster the back of the shoe, its sloping upper edge reaching all the way to the midfoot on each side.

Silver and grey tones fill out the inner, the former coating the mesh lining, the latter the insole. Here, a New Balance emblem stands out in a mixture of white, black and red hues. It displays various bits of text that read “NB 1906”, “Neutral Cushion” and “Enhanced Performance With Ortholite”, thus showcasing the technological prowess of the shoe once more. Above this, the mesh-covered tongue contains a Silver Metallic leather patch with further NB branding in white and the word “Running” in Crimson as a reflection of the model’s sporting history.

Silver laces tie up over this and are held in place by eyelets in the leather overlays at the top and bottom of the quarter. Through the middle, however, there are no overlays, just the mesh underlayer, so another solution has been introduced. This is New Balance’s innovative N-Lock lacing system, which is combined with the large “N” logos on the flanks. Silver strips of material thread through each of these solid structures, reaching out of the top of the “N” to provide looped eyelets for the laces to pass through. At the bottom of the tongue, a small piece of silver leather offers one final loop to further secure the laces, its surface marked with a delicate white “N” that concludes this highly desirable sneaker in style.