New Balance 1890A: price, colorways, and where to buy
The New Balance 1890A draws inspiration from both loafers and archival running shoes. The brand starts with its 890v2 silhouette, adds a loafer-style tongue and lacing, and places it all on the ABZORB cushioning of the New Balance 2002R. The result sits between a city sneaker and a casual shoe. This is a direction that New Balance teased at Paris Fashion Week in June 2025, before launching the first colorways in 2026.
The Story of the New Balance 1890A, from the Podium to the Street
It all starts with a teaser. In June 2025, Lee Stuart from New Balance's marketing team showcases the silhouette at Paris Fashion Week. The Boston brand extends an idea already explored with its previous hybrids: merging an archive running silhouette with an urban construction.
The 1890A belongs to the 1890 family, this ABZORB range that draws from the tooling of 2000s runners. While the New Balance 1906R directly revisits Y2K codes, the 1890A shifts the focus towards lifestyle and the shoe. The first colorways drop in summer 2026, with "Morel/Black" kicking things off in early July, followed by "Dark Night" a few weeks later. A premium reinterpretation by Comme des Garçons, in leather and suede, also expands the high-end take on the model.
How the New Balance 1890A is Built
The foundation of the 1890A is based on a breathable open mesh, covered with leather and synthetic material overlays, featuring snake-effect overlays in various colorways. The moccasin construction gives it a soft tongue and low lacing that sets it apart from a classic runner.
What really makes it stand out is the cushioning. The 1890A uses the ABZORB tooling from the 2002, a platform designed to absorb shocks while keeping the midfoot stable, where many lifestyle silhouettes settle for basic foam. This detail justifies its positioning above entry-level city sneakers.
What size to take for the New Balance 1890A
Stick with your usual size. The 1890A fits true to size (TTS) and aligns with the sizes of other New Balance models featuring Abzorb cushioning: if you know your size in the 2002R, 1906R, or the New Balance 990, go with the same.
A note for wide feet. The moccasin construction is a bit snug, so if you have wide feet, going up half a size is a good idea. The break-in period is short, about one to two weeks, just enough time for the stiff overlays to soften up.
Price and Where to Buy the New Balance 1890A
The retail price of the New Balance 1890A is €190, which is reasonable given the ABZORB construction and leather finishes. This positions it above a basic lifestyle sneaker without crossing into pure premium territory.
The distribution is broad for the GR colorways: they will be available at major French retailers and on the official New Balance website. The more sought-after editions, starting with the Comme des Garçons collaboration, will be released in smaller quantities and will naturally rise in the resale market. The comparison tool above tracks real-time price variations based on colorways.
FAQ
Is the New Balance 1890A a loafer or a sneaker?
Both. It combines a loafer tongue and lacing with an archive runner silhouette, featuring a technical sneaker ABZORB sole. In practice, it wears like a city sneaker but has the vibe of a casual shoe, making it easy to dress up.
What’s the difference with the New Balance 1906?
The 1906R revisits Y2K running, with its technical mesh and sporty look. The 1890A comes from the same ABZORB family but leans more towards lifestyle and loafer styles, with a softer construction and a less aggressive silhouette. Two interpretations of the same heritage.
Is the New Balance 1890A comfortable for all-day walking?
Yes. The ABZORB cushioning absorbs shocks well, and the mesh base remains breathable, both great features for everyday use. Expect a break-in period of one to two weeks for the panels to relax and for the shoe to mold to your foot.
Which colorway of the 1890A holds the most value?
The Comme des Garçons reinterpretation, released in limited quantities, is the most likely to exceed its retail price in the secondary market. GR colorways like the Morel/Black or Dark Night remain available around their launch price.
