Footwear: New Balance 9060 vs. Nike Air Max Dn

Quick Verdict

Both the New Balance 9060 and the Nike Air Max Dn are lifestyle sneakers that offer a blend of style and comfort, with advanced cushioning and breathability features. The New Balance 9060 stands out with its wider midsole and more pronounced arch support, while the Nike Air Max Dn offers a modern aesthetic and personalized fit. However, the Nike Air Max Dn may have traction issues on certain wet surfaces.

Both shoes feature advanced cushioning technologies for impact absorption and comfort.
Both shoes prioritize breathability through their upper materials.
Both shoes offer features that enhance stability during movement.
The New Balance 9060 has a wider midsole (121 mm) for stability and a more pronounced arch support.
The Nike Air Max Dn has potential traction issues on wet and smooth surfaces.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	New Balance 9060	Nike Air Max Dn
Cushioning Technology	ABZORB and SBS cushioning technology in its midsole, dual-density ABZORB and SBS cushioning	Dynamic Air, featuring a dual-chamber, four-tubed Nike Air unit designed for comfort, a smooth ride, and maximum rebound. The air unit has two pressurized chambers, each with two tubes, tuned with higher pressure in the heel and lower pressure in the forefoot. Injected Phylon foam surrounds the air unit
Upper Material	Suede, mesh, and synthetic fabrics with pigskin suede overlays	Multi-layered mesh upper designed for airflow, complemented by a haptic print overlay
Outsole Material	Durable rubber	Sturdy recycled rubber outsole. Rubber outsole with a modified waffle pattern
Arch Support	Removable insole for custom orthotics, more pronounced than New Balance 327, 574, or 237	A TPU shank arch clip provides midfoot stability, reducing strain during movement
Breathability	Mesh upper for excellent breathability	Multi-layered mesh on the upper feels lightweight and breathable. The seamless upper design enhances breathability
Weight (per shoe)	Approximately 410 grams (14.5 oz) - 440.4 grams (15.5 oz)	Pretty lightweight design
Durability	High-quality materials and robust construction	High-quality and durable materials from the collar to the outsole. A TPU heel counter offers support to the Achilles area
Style/Aesthetics	Combines modern performance with retro design, chunky silhouette with exaggerated proportions, tech-inspired aesthetic with bold, wavy lines	Design mixes retro and futuristic touches in a very balanced way, creating an iconic shoe. Sleek, ultra-modern aesthetic that emphasizes fluidity and motion
Fit (True to Size)	True to size	The adaptive lacing system provides a snug, personalized fit
Traction	Durable rubber outsole with excellent traction, diamond outsole pattern inspired by the classic 860 design	Modified waffle pattern provides stellar traction across various surfaces. Rubber outsole delivers traction. Lab test returned a solid friction score of 0.40 which indicates the shoe's reliable traction on both dry and wet surfaces. Unless it's a wet and smooth surface like granite, stone, or tile, in which case, you want to tread more carefully in the AM DN
Impact Absorption	ABZORB cushioning provides excellent shock absorption	The rear tubes are pressurized to 15 psi, delivering stable support and impact-absorbing cushioning upon heel strike
Stability Features	SBS cushioning offers additional support and stability, wide midsole (121 mm at the forefoot)	TPU shank arch clip provides midfoot stability. TPU elements in the heel counter and midfoot shank helps with stability
Price	Not available	Not available
Ratings	Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

New Balance 9060: Weight ~410-440.4 grams, Midsole Width 121mm; Nike Air Max Dn: Traction Score 0.40 (Lab Tested)

Pros and Cons

New Balance 9060

Pros:

Excellent breathability
Great traction on dry and wet surfaces
Superior impact absorption and comfort
Offers additional support and stability
Versatile shoe that can handle different terrains
Roomy toe box

Cons:

Not easy to clean due to many small places for dirt to get stuck
May feel toasty during warmer summer months, especially in darker colorways
Variety of materials could be a cleaning nightmare
Prioritizes style over performance

Nike Air Max Dn

Pros:

Responsive cushioning
Impact absorption
Breathable
Lightweight
Durable materials
Good traction
Stable support
Modern style
Snug, personalized fit

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback

New Balance 9060

What Users Love

Provides optimum protection during intense activities
Great for both casual wear and light physical activity
More cushioned than other New Balance styles, making it ideal for short runs, long walks, or long hours on your feet
Great grip on dry and wet surfaces
Provides an extra layer of stability and support, even during quick movements

Common Complaints

Will not be easy to clean and there are tons of small places on this shoe for dirt to get stuck.
The 9060 will feel somewhat toasty during the warmer summer months, especially in the darker colorways.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

The New Balance 9060 is designed with ABZORB and SBS cushioning technology, which provides exceptional softness and shock absorption and absorbs impact incredibly well, which means you can walk or stand in these shoes all day without feeling fatigued.
The New Balance 9060 provides optimum protection during intense activities, and thanks to the midsole with ABZORB and SBS cushioning, these advanced technologies absorb shocks and significantly reduce the impact on joints.
Thanks to the mesh upper, the New Balance 9060 offers excellent breathability, and airflow is key in any sneaker, and the 9060 allows air to circulate around your foot, preventing sweat buildup and keeping your feet cool.
The 9060 will feel somewhat toasty during the warmer summer months, especially in the darker colorways.
The outsole of the New Balance 9060 features a chunky, multi-layered design with a durable rubber finish, and the design includes multiple traction patterns to ensure good grip on various surfaces, whether you're walking on city streets, parks, or uneven ground.
The New Balance 9060 has a wide midsole measuring 121 mm wide at the forefoot which is much wider than average and is certainly the key factor in just how well-balanced while testing this shoe.
The New Balance 9060 offers excellent grip and stability, making it great for both casual wear and light physical activity.
The New Balance 9060 is a lifestyle sneaker, not a running shoe, and its chunky, retro-inspired design prioritises style over performance, and the materials used for its construction are more for comfort than breathability.
The New Balance 9060 has a dial density midsole, the New Balance 9060 is more cushioned than other New Balance styles, making it ideal for short runs, long walks, or long hours on your feet.
The New Balance 9060 will not be easy to clean and there are tons of small places on this shoe for dirt to get stuck.
The variety of materials on the shoe itself mesh suede new book and and leather on a single shoe could be a cleaning nightmare.

Nike Air Max Dn

What Users Love

Comfortable for extended wear
Superior shock absorption
Suitable for both casual wear and athletic activities
Enhanced cushioning and support compared to previous models

Common Complaints

Traction may be unreliable on wet and smooth surfaces like granite, stone, or tile

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Every step feel like you're walking on air
Trainers stay breathable when the intensity rises