New Balance 9060 review

We recommend the New Balance 9060 to anyone who:

• wants a tamer version of the Adidas Yeezy 500
• are in the market for sneakers with a remarkable finish
• has been waiting for a pair that can sustain your balance anywhere on the streets
• is in the market for a running-inspired kick from NB
• are fashion-minded and need shoes that work well with baggy pants

Skip the New Balance 9060 for the Adidas Ozweego if you want a squeak-free shoe that comes in multiple colorways. 

For a more breathable option for those warm summer months, we recommend the New Balance 1906R instead. 

To get a visual idea of how well-ventilated the shoe is, we pumped the 9060 full of smoke for ten seconds. As we can see from the footage, the 9060 lets out a slow but steady stream of smoke throughout the test.

This average performance leads us to give the 9060 a middle-of-the-road breathability score of 3 out of 5. This makes the 9060 a pretty good year-round shoe, though it will feel somewhat toasty during the warmer summer months, especially in the darker colorways. 

For an example of the extreme end of the spectrum, check out the plumes of smoke emitting from the Puma RS-X which earned it a perfect breathability score. 

Backlighting a cross-section of the 9060’s upper doesn’t do much to illuminate the source of the shoe’s airflow as it doesn’t seem to let much, if any, light shine through. We can, however, take an educated guess and say that the porous mesh sections of the upper are responsible for ventilating the shoe despite appearing rather opaque. 

Looking at the 9060’s upper mesh under our microscope is mesmerizing. The way the strands of fiber gently intertwine to form multiple layers of delicate braids truly is a treat to behold. These porous sections are the main source of airflow in the 9060.

We torched the suede sections of the 9060’s upper and scratched off the scorched remains with an awl to determine that they are indeed made of genuine suede. The overlay at the top of the tongue, on the other hand, caught fire and melted away from the flame which tells us that it is synthetic. 

For its first outing, we fired up our Dremel to 5K RPM and set it against the mesh section of the 9060’s toebox with 3.2N of force. 

While the tool made quick work of fraying the top layer of mesh, it wasn’t able to pierce through the toebox and left only an unsightly scar in the wake of the four-second test. This earns the 9060 a respectable toebox durability score of 3 out of 5.

The 9060’s heel counter fared just as well against our Dremel which only managed to scuff up the lining material while leaving the padding relatively intact within by the time four seconds was up. 

This leads us to give the 9060 another 3 out of 5 for heel padding durability.

With a durometer reading of 85.1 HC, the 9060’s outsole rubber is about as hard as our current lab average for sneakers. Based on our findings in the lab so far, this level of hardness usually indicates a healthy balance of grip and durability. 

We fired up our Dremel for a third and final time, now spinning at 10K RPM, and set it against the 9060’s outsole for twenty seconds. 

The test went by rather uneventfully and, once the time was up, we found that we had only lopped off 0.76 mm of rubber from the 9060’s outsole. This is less material than the average sneaker loses in this same test which bodes well regarding the longevity of this shoe.

The 9060’s outsole is only 3.8 mm thick, making it significantly less thick than our current lab average for sneakers. However, with the performance of the outsole against our Dremel, this doesn’t give us much cause for concern regarding its durability. 

Despite skimping on rubber from the outsole and its running shoe-esque silhouette, the 9060 tips the scale at a hefty 15.1 oz (427g). While this is heavier than the average sneaker, we still found it to be comfortable enough for regular day-to-day use as well as mild fitness activities or gym days. 

The 9060 boasts a rather robust stack at the heel, measuring 37.2 mm thick according to our caliper.

This is significantly higher than average which means that we have lots of protective foam to dampen the impact of our landings as we walk around in this shoe. 

At 26 mm thick based on our caliper measurements, the 9060’s stack is just as chunky at the forefoot and much thicker than our current lab average.

Having this much foam underfoot really allows us to sink into the midsole and savor the shoe’s cushioning which almost entirely erases any sense of the harsh ground below. Not to mention, it gives us a little height boost which is a nice added bonus. 

The difference in our stack heights leaves the 9060 with a drop height of 11.3 mm. This falls in line with our current lab average and means that this offset should be comfortable for most people. 

Using our durometer to test the softness of the midsole yields a softer-than-average reading of 19.4 HA. 

The 9060’s thick stack further accentuates the plushness of the foam and had us luxuriating in the shoe’s cushioning as we tested it about town.

At 3.6 mm thick, the 9060’s insole isn’t quite as thick as our current lab average, though this didn’t present us with any problems while testing as we still enjoyed a soft and well-padded surface within the shoe that complements the midsole cushioning. 

While shoes with high stacks of plush foam aren’t exactly known to be stable, we found that the 9060 feels incredibly well-planted when shifting our weight from side to side in the shoe. In the following sections, we’ll break down how New Balance achieves this impressive feat. 

We found the 9060 to be quite difficult to bend and twist in our hands, leading us to give it a torsional rigidity score of 4 out of 5. This means that the shoe mitigates any lateral flexion of our foot during our stride and, in doing so, maintains a relatively level base that keeps each step feeling as surefooted as the last. 

The 9060’s generously padded heel counter is somewhat firm and puts up an average level of resistance to our manual manipulations, leading us to give it a score of 3 out of 5. This represents a good mix of comfort and stability as the shoe is structured enough to hold our foot in place while still being flexible enough to allow for natural movements. 

Rule 101 when it comes to stability is a broad base, and the 9060 has it in spades with the midsole measuring 121 mm wide at the forefoot. This is much wider than average and is certainly the key factor in just how well-balanced we felt while testing this shoe. 

At 103.1 mm wide according to our caliper, the midsole is also significantly broader than average at the heel. Furthermore, its flared design means that this robust platform does an excellent job offsetting the potential imbalance of having so much plush foam underfoot. 

We secured the 9060 to our workbench and, using our force gauge, found that 22N of force is required to bend it to 90 degrees. 

As such, the 9060 is on par with the average sneaker in terms of flexibility which means that the shoe is able to conform with the natural flexion of our foot with relative ease. This is another key factor in the shoe’s forgiving ride that makes it comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

We enjoyed excellent traction over a variety of surfaces while testing the 9060, though we must say that the rubber is quite squeaky so the shoe is a head-turner in more ways than just visually. 

At 99.7 mm wide at its widest point according to our caliper measurements, the 9060’s toebox is right on par with our current lab average which means that it should be able to comfortably accommodate most foot shapes. Only those with very broad feet might find the shoe to be a little snug. 

The toebox tapers down to 75.3 mm wide in the area around the big toe which is also in line with our current lab average. 

The tongue is non-gusseted though, thanks to its shape and ample padding, we didn’t experience any slippage over the course of testing the shoe. 

At 11.2 mm thick, the 9060’s tongue is considerably more padded than the average sneaker. This allows us to lock the shoe down securely and comfortably without any hint of lace bite across our instep. 

The 9060’s default insole isn’t glued in, so removing it in favor of a custom orthotic for added arch support is possible if necessary.

The 9060 is equipped for nocturnal outings with several reflective elements, chief amongst them being the “N” logo emblazoned on the side of the shoe.