New Balance Cages the 9060 With a Triple-Black Makeover

The gorpcore takeover continues, with brands across the industry retooling their lifestyle sneakers into rugged, ultra-durable designs. Performance-inspired protection is entering everyday footwear, from Nike’s Vomero Roam to the newly released Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 Armor. Now, New Balance is following suit by outfitting the 9060 with a caged exterior, shifting the silhouette from sleek retro-futurism to something more utilitarian.

The transformation is simple yet effective. Instead of the standard layered construction, this new version of the 9060 features a rigid TPU shell sitting atop the upper, creating a striking contrast between structure and movement. Though the cage appears to float over the base, it’s securely fastened at key points—a ribbon at the front and reinforced eye stays ensure it stays in place while doubling as an additional design element.

Given the overwhelmingly positive reception of the original 9060 “Black Cat,” it makes perfect sense for New Balance to debut this new variation in an all-black execution. The tonal palette keeps the focus on the updated design, allowing the sculpted midsole and caged overlays to stand out through texture rather than color.

While pairs have already begun releasing overseas, a Stateside drop is expected soon — but pairs are already up for grabs on StockX.

Stay tuned to our New Balance Release Calendar for the latest information.