“Imma get my dad a pair:” fans give mixed reactions to first look of New Balance 1906 L “Rich Oak” shoes

The New Balance 1906 Loafer "Rich Oak" is on its way for a Spring 2025 release, as reported by sneaker news sites. The loafers are dressed in earthy brown hues with black accents on the soles. A translucent unit on the soles rounds up the minimalist design.

@cop_o_clock on Instagram shared a sneak peek of the silhouette on January 16, 2025, with the caption:

“The perfect loafers for when you work hybrid. A closer look at the upcoming New Balance 1906L Rich Oak releasing this spring for $160. Cop or drop?”

The sneakers received mixed reactions from Netizens. Some found the design a bit dated and described the sneakers as only suitable for senior citizens. An Instagram user jokingly commented:

“Imma get my dad a pair.”

Some Netizens made similar comments. They decided to gift the shoes as birthday presents to their grandfather and another referred to the 1906 loafers as “big granddaddy steppers.”

Some sneakerheads viewed the shoes differently and found them stylish.

Other Instagram users expressed that they’d have preferred the silhouette in other colors.

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More details on the New Balance 1906 loafer "Rich Oak"

The New Balance 1906 loafers first hit the shoe market in 2024. The sneakers veer away from the brand’s signature dad shoes and adopt a more casual design. The brand introduced the silhouette as follows:

"The juxtaposition of sneakers and more formal attire isn’t a new idea, but it’s never been done quite like this. The new 1906 Loafer takes the silhouette’s signature features – the open-holed mesh upper, the curvilinear synthetic overlays, and the 860v2 sole unit, featuring segmented ABZORB SBS pods at the heel – and reimagines them in the shape of classic penny loafer."

The description continues:

"This design doesn’t just blur the lines between high-performance heritage and cutting-edge fashion; it erases the distinction altogether."

The new edition of the 1906 loafers adopts a more formal look with brown suede across the upper and black accents on the sole. The sneakers resemble the traditional loafers.

The Rich Oak shoes stay true to the geometric detailing on the heel cage of the original design. Sneakerheads may find the stitched forefoot cup and translucent unit on the chunky soles as fashionable features.

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Although New Balance has not made any official announcements about the release of the Rich Oak loafers, House of Spring stated that they are likely to make an appearance in Spring 2025 with a price tag of $160.