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Shoes

A Spanish Saunter in the New Balance 990v6

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Back in May of 2026, I headed off to work abroad for a month in Spain. It was a swell time, thanks for asking. Just like on my previous ventures to the Dominican Republic, Peru and Italy, I was hoping to get a chance to get familiar with another shoe – not in that way though, foot fetishists be gone!

Now, as a huge fan of footwear, choosing one shoe to be your sole companion on a month-long journey can prove difficult, especially when you’re a last-minute packer like me. Admittedly, I did pack the Havaianas that I picked up in Brazil for beach days, cause unlike what Ye once said, I will not be doing Jordans on the beach. Touching sand is almost the best part!

So with my beach footwear sorted, the main driver needed to be accounted for. I would need a pair that would could keep up with inter-city travel, long city walks and easy runs. I’d had fond memories of the New Balance 475 during my time in Italy and my Footpatrol x Salomon XT4s that I took to the Dominican Republic, so whittling down my collection for another banger was important.

nike sb air max 95 cacao wow on feet with turkish carpet backdrop
the 110s I was tempted to take on my trip to Spain

My mind instinctively moved towards my New Balance selection, although I’d be lying if I didn’t mention the Nike SB Air Max 95 “Coco Browns” were very tempting to me. Looking back on photos of me traipsing around the Spanish landscape in 110s could have been REAL hip, a great set of photos that work wonderfully in a ‘my life in shoes’ book I plan on making later in life. But not wanting to get carried away with romance, I had doubts about the SB 110s keeping up on a day-to-day level. Not to mention, running in them would prove an absolute chore given the latest skateboarding tweaks.

packing my NB 990v6 the night before my flight

Alas, after going back and forth between the New Balance 990v4 and 990v6, I settled on the latter. The bulkier 990v6 might not look as cool given its larger silhouette; but they were the best option for that casual-to-running sweet spot. One option I’d had in mind for this niche vendiagram was Satisfy’s TheRocker, but I didn’t fancy forking out £240 for them. 

Even the brand’s promotional campaign about ‘runners aren’t normal’ highlighted the latest v6 addition to the premium series through a performance lens. That said, I don’t recall ever seeing anyone actually running in them or even talking about running in the 990v6. I did however find myself watching an obscure Japanese YouTube channel discussing just how hard-wearing the silhouette was – after all, this is what the internet was made for, right?

In the end, I picked out the New Balance 990v6 “Core Grey” for my month-long trip to Spain. Just to be extra sure, I went out for a short walk around the block in the 990v6 – yes, I realise I sound like a geriatric Uncle at this point, but apparently that’s ‘in’.

I’d not really given the silhouette a chance to win me over in the year that I’d owned it, previously sat on the shelving in my room looking pretty. But like Mark Wahlberg’s character says in The Other Guys, the 990v6 is a peacock that needs to fly.

My main concern involved the maximal midsole and how it could give me what the barefoot community calls “stupid feet”. As a counter to that thought, the maximum cushioning would help on those days when I’d clock 20K steps sightseeing. I also realised the 990v6 would make for a solid easy-day shoe, one in which to clock your typical 5-10km runs.

new balance 990v6 holiday shoes next to backpacking set-up valencia train station floor
waiting at Valencia train station for my train to Peniscola
a shot of my NB 990v6 Core Grey on the flight over to Spain

Boarding the plane, I still had minor concerns, but looking at the top-down view of the New Balances was a welcome sight. The added weight of both my Osprey 40L and Osprey 18L was absorbed by the energy-returning midsole, taking the stress-related load off my feet. After a multi-transport trip from Gatwick, I eventually touched down in what would be my home for the next two weeks, Peniscola.

new balance 990v6 in spain peniscola in the background
My NB 990v6 with Peniscola’s main beach in the backdrop

Quickly dumping my things at the flat, I slipped on the v6s again and headed out to the local supermarket for supplies. I got back at the end of the day feeling content with how my feet had held up, all thanks to the New Balance 990v6 below.

new balance 990v6 core grey and havaianas footwear rotation on holiday in spain
admiring my wonderful footwear rotation

The next few days consisted of me rocking the Havianas down at the local beach, although morning espresso runs were made easy as the plush midsole gracefully took the descent from Peniscola’s Castle.

getting carried away with photographing my 990s in the kitchen
on-foot shot of the new balance 990v6 at night
snapping another shot of my 990v6 on the rooftop while enjoying a bev

A few days in, I clocked what would be my first and only 5K run, a detail I’m less pleased about considering these 990v6s were supposed to be my hybrid shoe option – but such is life in the tropics (I realise this phrase doesn’t technically apply to Spain, but I am the writer here).

new balance 990v6 strewn on kitchen floor with beautiful floral tiles in background
the tiles looked good, but ofc I couldn’t have just taken a photo of them alone

I’d liken running in the NB 990v6s to the NB 1080v10s, a shoe that definitely provides cushion, but one I felt lacked the ‘snap’ or sharp energy return I feel with runners like the ASICS Tri-Noosa 14. Speaking of, I did spot a lot of Tri-Noosa 14s on the feet of the elderly. Clearly making for a great walking shoe, the Tri-Noosa’s heavily rocker-forefoot does encourage forward momentum, a feature the elderly Spaniards were aware of.

new balance 990v6 foregroun with the blurry Peniscola castle in the background
Peniscola’s castle and my NB 990v6 both looking majestic
looking out at the spanish sea from footwear perspective new balance shoes
looking out at the spanish sea after breakfast

After a week, I did start to warm up to how the 990v6s looked in photos. All of a sudden, I welcomed the silhouette’s aggressive change in direction from the more streamlined 990 series.

new balance low to the ground perspective looking out across bay in Peniscola spanish hillside at sunset
my view from the lighthouse overlooking the Spanish hills in Peniscola

Of course, the designers at New Balance knew this was a drastic change for its sixth version, a factor that the future 990v7 will be moving away from…or at least from what I’ve been told. If you’re reading this, New Balance – yes, I would love the chance to wear-test the 990v7.

new balance 990v7 early looks
via jog_fwd

It was around the 9th day of my trip when I spotted another gentleman wearing a pair of New Balance 990v6s. I was scanning the floor for any slippery patches on my descent to a food shop when I saw the familiar shade of grey cross my vision. I looked up to see a late-20s-year-old dude in shorts and a boonie hat walking with what could have been his Miss, unless she was his caregiver. I suppose all partners are carers in a sense, although my idea of a romantic evening doesn’t involve being forklifted out of my wheelchair so I can use the loo – never say never though!

new balance 990v6 with stone castle flooring backdrop in spain
a beautiful spot of light shining onto the castle floor in Peniscola

I think the point I was trying to make, was that it takes a certain gentleman to really invest in a £220 shoe that makes them seem like they’re embracing the concept of ageing well. It’s the size of the fight in the dog, not the size of the dog in the fight (once again, an irrelevant phrase, but it feels apt at the time of writing). A more appropriate version would be: it’s the size of the geriatric in the man, not the size of the man in the geriatric.

snapping the 990v6 as the sun sets on another day in Spain
new balance 990v6 in the corner of the room coloured windows contemporary museum in madrid
my view as I admired a long film at Valencia Contemporary Museum

After two weeks in, I did notice the balls of my feet starting to hurt a little, but this felt like a personal issue rather than one caused by the soles on my NB 990v6. Around the same sort of time, I noticed the suede along the mudguard starting to wear nicely, the nap of the panel revealing its fibres, the patina equivalent you can get with mostly suede shoes.

new balance 990v6 with spanish sunrise in the background
watching the sunrise in Peniscola after missing my bus to Valencia

After 3 weeks of travel, I noticed the grease stain on my left toe box had all but gone. This was from a rare boba coffee spillage months back, one that I thought was destined to remain in the 990v6’s mesh for years to come. Luckily, whether through the accumulation of more dirt or its simple evaporation, the stain was no more.

new balance 990v6 low ground shot with bird in the background madrid gardens
sat in the gardens with the spanish birds checking out me trainees
nb 990v6 as beach shoes enjoying a beer on the beach in valencia sand and towel backdrop
enjoying a cold Mahou on the beach in Valencia

That same week during my time in Toledo, once the capital of Spain, I did accrue my first set of blisters. I think this was due to the dry inland heat and not changing into drier socks more frequently – a harsh realisation I discovered during my Duke of Edinburgh hike in Year 9. Once again, the New Balance 990v6 is less to blame here; the resulting blisters are the fault of my own. 

nb 990v6 with toledo spain in the background
NB 990v6 with Toledo in the background

However, you could question the v6s breathability, meaning that when encountering heat over 28 degrees, you may find that the NB 990v6 will start to falter. Of course, this all depends on what socks you’re wearing and how much you tend to perspire from your feet as well. So take that conclusion with a pinch of salt.

new balance 990v6 with madrid palacio in the backdrop at night
outside the palacio in Madrid at night
new balance in the valencia contemporary museum
watching something really hip at the science museum in Valencia

In terms of aesthetics, I still had my own reservations about how bulky the shoe looked when worn with shorts. Compared to the New Balance 990v3 or 990v4 in a UK12.5, it’s much larger in relation to other 990s. That said, the added bulk offers more functional comfort than previous versions, with the foam remaining consistently spongy throughout my month-long trip in Spain. If anything, I found the New Balance 990v6 getting comfier as the journey went on and the foam continued to break in.

wearing the new balance 990v6 at the train station in madrid
waiting for my train to Toledo at Madrid train station

And as someone who’s worn the NB 996, 997, 998, 1500, 990v1, 990v2, 990v3, 990v4, 990v5, 991, 991v2, 992, 993, I can safely say that the New Balance 990v6 is the comfiest, if not the second most comfy within the shoes that I have worn.

NB 990v6 pinned up against white wall with hand

Unfortunately, my Garmin watch died within the first week of the trip, so I am unable to provide an accurate total step count for my trip to Spain. However, working on estimates, I think it’s safe to say that I clocked around 400,000 – 500,000 steps in my New Balance 990v6s.

new balance 990v6 with nothern spanish sea in the backdrop taken in Peniscola

In terms of sizing, I always tend to go up half a UK size in my New Balances. With the NB 990v6, I also went up from a UK12 to a UK12.5. I think the extra room is necessary given that your feet will expand more throughout the day, especially if you’re walking a lot or even running in them. I would personally go up half a UK size in the NB 990v6, but trying the shoe on in-store is the best way to figure out which works best for you.

barcelona historic city sectioned off with new balance 990v6 in reflection
soaking up Barcelona’s history in the 990v6
new balance 990v6 top down shot on the barcelona metro paired with plaid shorts
riding the metro in Barcelona

Since coming back from the trip, I have picked up another pair of 990v6s, spotting the “Beef and Broccoli” pair on sale. My fondness for the v6 has gone up since my Spanish saunter, possibly even working its way into the top 3 within the 990 series. The NB 990v6 would have to battle it out between the 990v4 and 990v2 for that number one spot. However, from a purely functional standpoint, the v6 certainly towers over the two previously mentioned versions.

new balance v6 left foot shot at barcelona airport in may
waiting patiently for my plane at Barcelona Airport

Next time I work abroad, I would be inclined to take another New Balance with me, the likes of which will be the NB 990v4 or NB 1300. You can expect that shoe review to come towards the end of the year once I’ve gone off travelling again. In the meantime, pick up an New Balance 990v6!

Shoes

A Caribbean Quest in the Salomon XT-4s

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This year, I chose to write about shoes from the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean was not a part of the world I had been to before, typically flying over the tropics to reach Peru.

How I imagined myself a few days into Dominican Republic life

After planning to spend my work month in Japan, the busy streets of Tokyo and language barrier soon became less appealing. Instead, I imagined myself taking island life, eating hearty food, swimming in the sea and enjoying the slower pace.

Considering I had come home after my trip to Italy feeling more fatigued than rested, I didn’t want to repeat that feeling. Although I think the fountains of espresso and cornetos I consumed were more to blame than anything else.

Mind you, I did come away acknowledging my great choice in footwear, the New Balance 475s. So this time, I was eager to ensure my decision was just as spot on.

Having enjoyed my time at Dominican eateries in both Camberwell Green, Brixton and Stockwell, the food and friendly restaurant owners assured me that I was making the right decision.

It also helped that the national language was Spanish, so getting into a series of gesticulations with confused locals was less likely than in Japan.

Me in Japan trying to be hip via the medium of sign languge

With it being my first time in the Caribbean, I needed my footwear to keep up with the changing climate. The blazing sun and heavy spells of rain meant a large part of my collection would not pass muster.

Footpatrol Salomon XT-4 with palm trees and blue skies in the backdrop
The XT-4 with the Dominican sky as the backdrop

Whittling down my shoes to several off-road and GORE-TEX-laden uppers did make things easier, but it did render my stack of soft suede New Balances out for the count.

Luckily, I was recently sent the Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4s from a good friend (also known as ‘The Captain’), a pair that instantly floated to the top of the decision pile. Not only could the Footpatrol XT-4 keep up with the changing terrain, they also looked the part.

a movie scene my friend often refers to given his self-proclaimed title

I did have two minor gripes with these Salomon XT-4s, the first being that they were half a size small.

I always go up by half a size with Salomons, a choice I recommend for anyone considering of picking up a pair, whether it be the XT-4, XT-6 or even XT-Quests (all with the exception of the XT-ALP).

Salomon XT-4 Footpatrol against in Punta Cana airport
using my new Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4s at the airport, nothing screams independent like a Nalgene water bottle

While there was enough room in the toe box, which allowed for my toes to splay (“no splay, no lay” – custom T-shirts in bound btw), my big toe was a little constrained (for the foot-fetish-inclined, this is about as spicy as the article will get, so you can leave now).

funny footwear-based graphic t shirt mock up that says no splay no lay

The second gripe was that it was an obvious choice. As the Salomon XT-6 is usually a go-to for those UK and EU residents who venture to other parts of the world, they skirted the ‘played-out’ vendiagram (likely rendering them ‘uncool’ circa 2027, see below).

skinny jeans and simple black t outfit normcore fit with salomon xt-6 cartoon
Average Salomon XT-6 wearer in 2027?

On the other hand, the XT-4 was the less handsome brother of the XT series, often skipped due to its bulky nature. The XT-4 is the slightly overweight brother at the dinner table who makes everyone laugh with his infrequent quips. For example, “expect nothing more, expect nothing less!”, in response to his mother bringing up how her work colleague who soiled herself (also not appropriate for the dinner table mum, do better).

If I’m being totally honest, I would be the youngest sibling archetype, a character who hasn’t even made it to the table yet, as he finds himself scaling the ceilings of the next-door bathroom.

I fear I may have strayed off into the demonic there, but you get the gist. And while we’re here, the slightly demonic younger sibling in this case would be akin to the Salomon Alpinway Advanced. Please do not ask me how or why.

Anyhow, walking down to the station with both Osprey bags on (roughly 20KG), I stood on the platform with my feet really feeling the squeeze. Regret over my decision started to sweep in as I considered heading back home and reaching instead for my Meindls. While the Caracas GTX allowed for more splay, it would have been harder to convince passersby that I wasn’t a geriatric German who had just aged well. A look I am not scared to adopt in the slightest but one that I will try to keep at bay for the next twenty years.

Opting for swag over the safety of technical German footwear, I loosened the Quicklacing system which fixed the issue at hand. No longer did I feel my feet swell, so from that point on, the Kevlar lacing system remained loose, which also allowed for great slip-on/slip-off access (a detail all the coolest of cats appreciate).

salomon xt-6 footpatrol top-down view paired with shorts
FP XT-4s against a beautifully ageing stone floor and wonderfully hip plaid shorts

Landing in Punta Cana, it wasn’t long before my Brazil-edition Haiviannas were out and touching Dominican soil. From that point forward, the Salomon’s were allocated to evening dinners.

Havianas on beach low-down camera angle with beach towel in foreground and sea in background
My R10 Havianas posted up on Punta Poppy in Las Terrenas

In truth, I’d have spent more hours in flip-flops had it not been for the cultural stigma of eating food with your toes out. Consequently, my dream of having a #ToesOutAutumn took a real blow. Not to mention the link between tourists and their short-wearing tendencies.

wearing the footpatrol xt-4s at dinner in the dominican republic
Me out in Punta Cana enjoying an evening meal in my aforementioned camo shorts

While the quasi-Tn fade of the XT-4’s upper is wonderful to look at, a trait which also separates this Footpatrol version from your standard XT-4, I think it may have been too strong when paired with my array of patterned clothing.

Salomon XT-4 in-hand shot with a Dominican storm happening off the coast of Las Terrenas
The Footpatrol XT-4s and I taking in the Dominican lightning and thunder storm happening offshore in Las Terrenas

Evening attire would consist of my Airwalk camouflage shorts that I picked up at Aldgate market and a bright graphic T-shirt. This made me stand out in a way that I hoped to have avoided, while also reinforcing my connection to autism.  

Clutching my plastic bag from the local supermarket, a tactic I often employ when trying to dodge the ‘tourist’ label, that was about as effective as an elephant wearing one of those classic glasses and moustache disguises.

Unlike previous trips, I didn’t get a chance to test out the XT-4s on sandy terrain, opting for my Inov-8 Terra Ultra G 270 as my running shoes. A poor choice in hindsight as these were another obnoxiously loud shoe that I couldn’t rely on for fading into the crowd.

Not bringing a hybrid shoe that would suit my running and everyday needs was a silly mistake. While the XT-4 was a trail running shoe back in its heyday, the chemical compound used in the midsole had likely been altered since it shifted into Salomon’s Sportstyle category (like the dual-density foam 35 Shore A and a 25 Shore A mix on the XT-6).

top-down view of Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4 against Marbel flooring in a barbers in Santo Domingo
getting a much-needed haircut in the Footpatrol Salomon XT-4s in Santo Domingo, peep the marble floor, wowee!

You even hear some people complaining about the XT-6 and XT-4’s terrible traction, which is crazy considering the shoe used to be a trail running shoe for competitive athletes. Not to mention its use of Contragrip Mud outsole which seems a little overkill for city-based commutes.

The Footpatrol XT-4s were reliable, giving me nothing to complain about throughout the many inter-city coach journeys. From Punta Cana to Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas to Santiago de los Caballeros to Puerto Plata and then back, the Salomons kept up.

Salomon XT-4 from the top deck of bus heading to santo domingo with sunset in background and road ahead
The Salomon XT-4 taking in a Dominican sunrise from the top deck of a bus headed to Santo Domingo

Although, I didn’t go on any hikes or scale up any hugely challenging terrain, its limits were rarely tested. There was one instance where clearing out the caked mud within the webbing channels proved inconvenient, but it was worth it for the small portion of Santo Domingo’s Botanical Gardens that I saw.

Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4 in the Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens with Japanese trees and woodlands in the background
Enjoying Santo Domingo’s Botanical Gardens in the XT-4s
Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4 on the gondola ride in Santiago de los Caballeros
The Footpatrol XT-4s enjoying a well-deserved ride on Santiago de los Caballeros Teleferico
Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4 poolside in the Domincian Republic side angle shot of right foot
Sat poolside in the Bali-style Boutique hotel in Las Terrenas

I would recommend the Salomon XT-4 for anyone considering it as a travel shoe. My only recommendation is to go up half a size and to pick a colourway that would suit your wardrobe. If you’re inclined to wear a lot of stripes then perhaps go for a more subdued colourway with browns and blacks. If you’re trying to turn up like Adam Sandler, then pick something wild and hit the yolo button everytime you step out the door.

From public libraries, beachside restaurants and exploring cities, it was all within the XT-4 stride. I was never turned away for looking too informal, yet I can imagine the shoes being a slight issue were I one for the finer things in life. They canny turn you away from a beachside BBQ spot for wearing a pair of wicked Footpatrol shoes.

Strict dress codes at the club or exclusive restaurants would have proved difficult, so if you do like to dip in and out of fancy spots, consider this when copping a loud colourway of the XT-4s. If it’s super fancy, then chances are they work on a ‘got lugs, no spuds’ policy. And you know how lugged-up the XT series are.

funny footwear pun t shirt lugged up
Someone give me a job at a footwear-inspired t -shirt making company already!

The Footpatrol XT-4 is still my favourite colourway and collaboration within the silhouette’s library, but if you fancy something low-key then the Salomon website has many muted options.

Salomon XT-4 Footpatrol worn at Clapham Junction with roaming piegeon in the background
Headed home, the pigeons at Clapham Junction station were less excited about the Pigeon-esque hues of my XT-4s
Shoes

10 Abadoned Footwear Projects

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Having had the idea to focus on Abandoned Footwear, it recently came to mind to ask Perplexity for some previous examples where this has been the focused topic. One of the most interesting and similar concept was Daniel Bass’ 2004 project, which involved Lost Shoes. An exhibition that also cropped up was that of Chiharu Shiota’s work which initially sparked the idea in my mind. The following is great food for thought and was worth sharing.

There are several notable art exhibitions and installations that focus on abandoned shoes, often using them as powerful symbols to convey deeper social and historical messages.

1. Shoes on the Danube Promenade

Located in Budapest, this poignant memorial features 60 pairs of iron shoes set into the concrete along the Danube River. Created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer in 2005, the installation commemorates Hungarian Jews who were shot on the riverbanks during World War II. The shoes symbolize the victims’ abrupt departure from life, evoking a strong emotional response as viewers are confronted with the tangible absence of their owners.

2. Thousands of Shoes on Capitol Hill

In March 2018, over 7,000 pairs of shoes were displayed on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol as part of a protest against gun violence, particularly in schools. This installation aimed to represent the estimated number of children killed by gun violence since the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012. The visual impact of the shoes served to humanize the statistics and evoke collective trauma associated with mass shootings.

3. Hammer Projects: Chiharu Shiota

Chiharu Shiota’s work often incorporates found objects, including abandoned shoes, to explore themes of memory and loss. Although this exhibition took place from March to August 2023 at Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, it highlighted how such objects can serve as metaphors for personal and collective experiences.

4. Walk This Way Exhibition

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum features an exhibition titled “Walk This Way,” which explores women’s history through footwear. This exhibition reflects on how shoes can symbolize women’s evolving roles in society over the past 200 years, emphasizing their significance beyond mere fashion.

5. Overboard

This exhibition, held in Washington, D.C., features handcrafted replicas of Nike shoes made from discarded materials, inspired by the “Great Shoe Spill” of 1990 when thousands of shoes fell into the Pacific Ocean. Artist Andy Yoder created these sculptures to provoke thought about waste and consumerism while drawing attention to the environmental impact of discarded footwear.

6. Lost Shoes by Daniel Bass

Daniel Bass’s installation consists of a grid of 135 photographs depicting lost or abandoned shoes, primarily taken in Kent, England. This collection highlights the stories behind these forgotten items, transforming them into a commentary on loss and memory through visual art.

7. Footprint: The Tracks of Shoes in Fashion

Located at Antwerp’s Fashion Museum (MoMu), this exhibition gathers around 600 pairs of designer shoes from the 20th and 21st centuries. It explores the emotional connections between shoes and their wearers, emphasizing individual stories rather than focusing solely on the products themselves.

8. Concealed Shoes in the York Castle Museum

This collection features historical shoes that were hidden in walls or under floors as protective talismans against evil spirits. These concealed shoes provide insights into past beliefs and practices surrounding personal belongings, illustrating how shoes can carry significant cultural meanings.

9. The Shoe Memorial at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

This poignant installation includes 4,000 pairs of shoes confiscated from victims at the Majdanek concentration camp. The varying sizes and conditions of the shoes serve as stark reminders of the individuals who suffered during the Holocaust, transforming each pair into a powerful symbol of lost lives and humanity.

10. The Shoes Project by Various Artists

This ongoing project features installations across various locations where artists create pieces using abandoned shoes to address themes of homelessness, loss, and social justice. Each installation varies in style and message but collectively aims to raise awareness about societal issues related to displacement and neglect.

These exhibitions not only highlight the aesthetic qualities of abandoned shoes but also engage viewers with profound narratives about history, memory, and social commentary.