The chunky sneaker trend was supposed to die years ago. We all saw the Balenciaga Triple S and thought, "Okay, this is a moment, and then we’ll go back to slim profiles." But then New Balance dropped the 9060 in 2022, and honestly, it changed the math. It’s a weird shoe. It looks like a spaceship crashed into a 990v3. Yet, if you walk through lower Manhattan or scroll through your feed for more than thirty seconds, you’ll see the new balance 9060 styled in ways that shouldn't work but somehow do.
It's bulky. The sole is aggressive. It has those weird pods that look like a sea creature’s underbelly. But it's also incredibly comfortable. Designers James Lee and Yue Wu leaned into the "Y2K futurism" aesthetic, pulling from the 99x series and the 860v2. The result is a shoe that bridges the gap between a "dad shoe" and a high-fashion statement.
The Secret to Proportions
The biggest mistake people make is trying to treat the 9060 like a standard tennis shoe. You can’t just throw these on with skinny jeans and call it a day. The silhouette is too loud for that. Because the midsole is so wide, you need volume elsewhere to balance it out.
Think about it this way: the shoe creates a heavy anchor at the bottom of your leg. If you wear tight pants, your feet look like two giant bricks. To get the new balance 9060 styled correctly, you’ve got to play with wide-leg trousers or relaxed-fit denim. A pair of Carhartt Double Knees or some Dickies 874s work perfectly because the leg opening is wide enough to sit over the tongue of the shoe without getting swallowed or looking awkward.
Texture matters too. Since the 9060 is a mix of pigskin suede and mesh, it handles rugged fabrics well. Heavyweight fleece, corduroy, and thick denim provide a nice visual counterweight to the complex layering of the sneaker’s upper.
Why the "Aesthetic" Works
There’s a specific vibe people are going for lately—it's often called "quiet luxury" mixed with "gorpcore." The 9060 fits right in the middle. It’s techy enough for the outdoor enthusiasts but neutral enough for the people who spend $80 on a plain white t-shirt.
If you look at the Joe Freshgoods collaborations, like the "Inside Voices" pack, you see how color plays a role. The "Penny Cookie Pink" and "Baby Shower Blue" tones proved that this aggressive silhouette could actually look soft and approachable. People started realizing that if you keep the rest of your outfit monochrome—maybe an all-cream sweatsuit—the shoes do all the heavy lifting.
✨ Don't miss: Bed and Breakfast Wedding Venues: Why Smaller Might Actually Be Better
New Balance 9060 Styled for Different Occasions
Let's get practical. You aren't just wearing these to the gym. In fact, most people wearing 9060s probably haven't seen the inside of a gym in weeks. These are lifestyle shoes through and through.
For a casual workday, try pairing the "Rain Cloud" or "Sea Salt" colorway with charcoal pleated trousers. Throw on a crisp, oversized button-down shirt but leave it untucked. This creates a silhouette that feels intentional. It says, "I know about fashion, but I also value my arch support."
When the weekend hits, go for the oversized look. A pair of baggy grey sweatpants with a slight stack at the ankle looks incredible with the 9060. The shoe’s bulky heel prevents the sweatpants from dragging on the ground, which is a small but vital detail. Top it off with a cropped bomber jacket or a heavyweight hoodie.
The Shorts Dilemma
Shorts are tricky. Many people think chunky shoes and shorts make you look like a kingdom hearts character. They aren't entirely wrong. To avoid the "clown foot" effect, you need socks. Specifically, crew-length socks.
A white or off-white ribbed sock pulled up mid-calf creates a visual break between the shoe and your leg. It grounds the look. If you wear no-show socks with 9060s and shorts, the shoes look massive and disconnected from your body. Stick to 5-inch or 7-inch inseam shorts to keep the proportions balanced. Anything longer starts to look a bit dated.
Materiality and Care
The 9060 uses some premium materials, especially in the suede overlays. This isn't your average mall shoe. Because of that, you have to be careful with how you treat them. Suede and rain are mortal enemies.
🔗 Read more: Virgo Love Horoscope for Today and Tomorrow: Why You Need to Stop Fixing People
If you're styling these in a city like London or Seattle, a suede protector spray is non-negotiable. The mesh is also quite porous, meaning it picks up dust easily. A soft-bristle brush is your best friend here.
One thing most people overlook is the midsole cleaning. Those sculpted pods on the side? They catch a lot of scuffs. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after a long day keeps the "sculpture" of the shoe looking sharp. When the midsole gets dingy, the whole outfit starts to look sloppy instead of "effortlessly cool."
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the 9060 is a "trend" shoe that will be out of style by next season. New Balance doesn't really work that way. They build legacies. Look at the 990 series—it's been relevant for forty years.
Another error is over-accessorizing. The 9060 is a maximalist shoe. It has a lot of lines, a lot of layers, and a very complex sole unit. If you wear a loud graphic tee, a camo hat, and patterned pants, you’re giving the eye too much to look at. Let the shoes be the centerpiece. Stick to solid colors and clean lines for the rest of your gear.
The weight is another surprise. Looking at it, you'd expect it to weigh five pounds. It doesn't. The ABZORB and SBS cushioning make it surprisingly light. This is why you see people wearing them for "city hikes"—basically just walking six miles between coffee shops.
The Celeb Influence
We can’t talk about how these are styled without mentioning the people who put them on the map. When you see someone like Jack Harlow or Hailey Bieber wearing them, pay attention to the pants. They almost always opt for a "puddle" pant—one that bunches up slightly at the top of the shoe. This hides part of the bulk and makes the shoe look like a natural extension of the leg rather than an attachment.
💡 You might also like: Lo que nadie te dice sobre la moda verano 2025 mujer y por qué tu armario va a cambiar por completo
Even in the streetwear world, the 9060 has found its niche. It’s being worn with high-end Japanese denim and vintage military liners. It’s versatile because it doesn't try to be pretty. It’s unapologetically "ugly-cool," which is the highest praise in modern fashion.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Fit
If you’re standing in front of your mirror right now trying to figure out if your 9060s look good, follow these steps.
First, check your pant hem. If your pants are too narrow at the bottom, swap them for a wider cut. If you only have slim pants, try cuffing them high to show some ankle and a high-quality sock, though the wide-leg look is generally superior for this model.
Second, match your whites. If your 9060s are "Sea Salt" (which is an off-white/cream), don't wear a bleached white t-shirt. It will make your shoes look dirty. Stick to "bone," "oatmeal," or "cream" tones to keep the palette cohesive.
Third, consider the "top-heavy" rule. If your shoes are big, your top should have some weight too. A tiny, tight shirt with massive shoes looks unbalanced. A boxy tee or an oversized flannel will harmonize the silhouette.
Finally, just wear them. The 9060 looks better with a little bit of wear and tear. It’s a "dad shoe" at heart, and dads don’t worry about a little bit of dust on the suede. The more you wear them, the more they mold to your feet and your personal style.
Go for a neutral colorway if it's your first pair—think "Castlerock" or "Grey Matter." These shades go with literally everything in your closet. Once you're comfortable with the bulk, then you can start experimenting with the bolder color drops like the "Glow" or the various "Workwear" packs.
The 9060 isn't just a sneaker; it's a tool to change how your clothes fit your body. Use that volume to your advantage.