When it comes to iconic tennis shoes, a few models stand out above the rest.
The Nike Vapor and Asics Gel-Resolution are the first that come to mind because of their popularity on the pro tours, but the New Balance 806 fully deserves its seat at the table. While not as prevalent amongst the pros, public courts tell a different story.
At any given time since its release in 2014, the 806 could be found on the feet of thousands of players across the globe. Over the last couple of years, its popularity diminished, but it will forever remain as a fan favourite, and with good reason.
We’ll have the 806 on sale for 20% off from now until it sells out, so here’s a little reminder as to why this shoe became an icon at Rackets & Runners.
Simplicity at its core
2014 was a different time. Shoe manufacturers were rushing to develop the latest and greatest technologies, but they hadn’t yet nailed the blend of support, durability, and comfort that we see today. Shoes were bulkier, and could feel a little uncomfortable on foot, with the extra support and durability elements often causing excess pressure in sensitive areas.
The 806 came out as a breath of fresh air. Instead of trying to push the technological limits, it was a simple shoe: leather upper, ergonomic fit, and a comfortable but structured outsole.
While not as lightweight or flashy as an engineered mesh, the leather has a uniquely adaptive quality. It can stretch and form to virtually any foot shape, and that made the 806 a perfect solution for players with extra-wide feet, bunions, or other anomalies that can occur around the foot.
We’ll never forget the countless hours we spent using shoe stretchers, and medieval-era, cast-iron bunion punchers on the 806, but it was all worth it when we saw the smile on players’ faces knowing that they had finally found a shoe that worked.
The concept of “break-in” has become a little lost in the current tennis shoe landscape, but that’s what New Balance banked on with this shoe. Nothing fits better than a leather upper the next time you wear it, and throughout its lifespan, the 806 became a slipper. Crucially, it also maintained its stability and support far better than shoes with modern mesh materials.
Of course, the 806 also came in many, many different widths; some that you probably didn’t even know existed. From a super narrow (2A), all the way to a super wide (4E), there was an 806 for everyone, and that made it a breeze to default to for shoe-fitters who had tough problems to solve.
Perhaps the 806’s best quality, however, was its Rollbar support system. This TPU lateral and medial plastic cupped your heel into place exceptionally well to limit movement, and was a blessing for players suffering from pronation, or with a history of ankle problems. There’s a reason players kept stocking up on 806s whenever they could: nothing felt quite as solid, so they never wanted to risk trying something else.
The medical miracle
Because of its fantastic heel support and highly adaptive upper, the 806 was also by far the most common court shoe recommended by podiatrists. It had enough cushioning to effectively soak up ground-impact, but not too much to the point where it became unstable.
Thanks to its wide base and rigid flex, it also took to custom insoles incredibly well. With a little bit of work, we could fit even the wildest foot-doctor contraptions into the 806, and it just got better and better with time.
Keep one for the collection
We’re not saying that you should get an 806 to frame it and put it up on your wall, but it does satisfy a quirky niche in the shoe market. Old-school “dad shoes” have become fashionable in recent years, and with its classic lines, immense durability, and fantastic support, comfort, and cushioning, there are few better options if you are following that trend, and you want a pair of shoes that you can trust.
We’ve always had a thing for the classics, and that’s exactly how the 806 looks. One colourway: a white full-grain leather upper with subtle purple accents on the women’s version, and blue accents on the men’s.
Why is the 806 being discontinued?
We don’t really know. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia talking, but we’d keep the 806 on our wall for eternity if we had the choice. We’re not privy to New Balance’s marketing meetings, so we don’t know the exact reasons for its demise, but maybe it is just time.
Manufacturers are building fantastic modern tennis shoes these days that are sleeker, more supportive, and just as comfortable (out of the box) as the 806. New Balance’s very own CT-Rally and 996 also come in multiple widths, so if you do need a new shoe after you’ve squeezed the last drop out of your 806, they’ve got you covered.
Still, we’re going to miss our old friend: it served us well and will hold a special spot in the hearts of every Rackets & Runners staff member that was lucky enough to work with it.
