Unlock the Toughest New Balance Sneaker Yet: Military-Grade Boots Coming Soon?
New Balance May Be Releasing a Military-Grade Sneaker with a Unique Twist
Lately, two posts from sneaker enthusiast Dane3fune on Instagram have sparked a lot of discussion among the sneaker community. The posts feature images of what appears to be two different versions of the same silhouette, one solid white and the other with a mix of white and silver. Both versions have a striking resemblance to New Balance’s current 1906R model. The caption under each post reads "New Balance 1906M."
Many sneaker experts, including those from Hypebeast and Sneaker News, believe that the "M" in 1906M stands for "military." There’s evidence to suggest that this theory might be correct.
New Balance’s History with the US Military
New Balance has a history of creating exclusive running shoes for the US military. In 2014, the company released a prototype running shoe, the New Balance 950v2, which was designed to comply with the Berry Amendment. This amendment requires the Department of Defense to procure various supplies, including clothing, from domestic sources.
The 950v2 was an attempt by New Balance to capitalize on the military’s need for domestically sourced running shoes. The company’s goal was to create a shoe that would meet the Berry Amendment’s requirements while also providing a high-quality product for military personnel.
The Berry Amendment and the US Military
The Berry Amendment was enacted in 1941 to ensure that the US military has access to high-quality, domestically produced clothing and equipment. The amendment requires the Department of Defense to procure these items from US sources whenever possible.
In the past, the US military had a practice of issuing uniforms to recruits, but they would allow recruits to purchase their own running shoes using an $80 clothing credit. This practice was an exception to the Berry Amendment, as running shoes made entirely in America were not widely available.
New Balance’s 950v2 was a game-changer in this regard. The company sourced 100% of the shoe’s components from domestic suppliers, making it much more compliant with the Berry Amendment. As a result, the company was able to convince military officials to revise their policy on allowing recruits to purchase foreign-made shoes.
New Balance’s Contract with the US Military
In 2019, New Balance signed a $17.3 million contract with the US military to produce training sneakers. The contract covered 18 months, with an option to renew for another 18 months based on performance.
With this new contract, New Balance has the opportunity to continue producing high-quality, domestically sourced sneakers for the US military. The company’s history of working with the military and its commitment to complying with the Berry Amendment make it an ideal partner for the US military’s sneaker needs.
The Future of New Balance’s Military-Grade Sneaker
While we don’t know for certain whether the New Balance 1906M will be released to the public, the excitement surrounding this potential new sneaker is palpable. If the "M" in 1906M does indeed stand for "military," it’s possible that this shoe could be a game-changer for both New Balance and the US military.
One thing is certain, however: New Balance’s commitment to domestic sourcing and its history of working with the US military make it a company that is well-positioned to continue producing high-quality, military-grade sneakers for years to come.
