Sneaker-loafer hybrids have become common enough to feel predictable. The New Balance 1890A takes a slightly different route, borrowing the apron construction of a derby-style casual shoe while leaving a substantial running-derived cushioning platform underneath.

The upper is built from leather in the Angora and Rich Earth version, with a traditional lace closure and a raised apron seam that gives the shoe a more formal outline than the standard 1890. Underneath, ABZORB midsole foam handles impact absorption while ABZORB SBS cushioning stabilizes the heel. At 14.5 ounces, it is not trying to disguise its sneaker foundation; the point is to make that technical mass work beneath a cleaner upper.

That puts the 1890A in the same broader conversation as New Balance’s sport-meets-formal experiments without simply turning another runner into a penny loafer. Other configurations use synthetic uppers and weigh as little as 13.2 ounces, giving the silhouette room to shift between dressier and more technical interpretations.

The latest 1890A starts at $199.99, with some versions initially restricted to New Balance members online and at select stores.