On Cloudtilt or New Balance 9060? Which Lifestyle Sneaker is right for you? (2025)

Intro: Comfort-First Sneakers Take Over India

The sneaker scene in India has shifted. After years of hype driven demand for Jordans and Yeezys, sneakerheads are now looking for something different: comfort first sneakers.

This is where On Cloud and New Balance have stepped in. In the US, both brands took off post COVID when people wanted sneakers they could wear daily, travel in, and still look stylish. That same wave has now hit India, and two models stand out more than any others - the On Cloudtilt and the New Balance 9060.

Both sit in the same price bracket, both are versatile lifestyle sneakers, and both are available at Sneakwear. But which one should you buy? Let’s break it down.

Design & Aesthetic

The New Balance 9060 is a bold, futuristic take on NB’s heritage. Its chunky, layered midsole and oversized silhouette immediately remind people of the Balenciaga Triple S - only lighter, cleaner, and more wearable. It’s got that Gen Z, Y2K vibe that works perfectly with streetwear fits, cargos, and oversized tees.

The On Cloudtilt, on the other hand, leans into Swiss minimalism. From a distance, it looks like a running shoe, but up close you see the sharp lines, slip-on ease, and sleek comfort-driven design. It’s simple, but that’s exactly what makes it versatile - it works with shorts, cargos, or even office pants.

Price & Availability in India

Here’s where things get interesting:

• NB 9060: Official retailers in India price them at ₹18,000 - ₹22,000, depending on the colorway and materials. At Sneakwear, we usually have them between ₹12,000 - ₹16,000, making them far more accessible.
  
  
• On Cloudtilt: These are harder to get officially in India. At Sneakwear, we regularly source pairs in the ₹14,000 - ₹18,000 range.
  
  

So if you’re buying retail, the NB 9060 is pricier. But at Sneakwear, both pairs sit comfortably in the same bracket.

Fit & Sizing

• General Recommendation: Both the Cloudtilt and 9060 fit true to size for normal width feet. If you have wide feet, it’s better to go half a size up for maximum comfort.
  
• Personal Take: I generally wear a UK 9, but in both these models I prefer a UK 9.5. That extra half size makes long hours of wear - whether it’s office, travel, or events - far more comfortable.

Popularity & Culture

• New Balance 9060:

• A hit among Gen Z and younger sneakerheads.

• Perfect for the Y2K-inspired streetwear look.

• Huge color variety - orange, blacks, greens, creams, and even pastel options.
  

• On Cloudtilt:

• Gained massive attention thanks to Zendaya’s Ivory pair and the Loewe collab.

• Considered the No.1 airport sneaker globally.

• Universally praised for its crazy comfort - people describe it as “walking on clouds.”

Sneakwear Recommendation

So which one should you buy? Honestly, it depends on your style and purpose.

• If you’re into streetwear, oversized fits, and bold sneakers, the NB 9060 is your shoe. It’s stylish, young, and comes in way more colorways.
• If you want everyday comfort, a versatile airport shoe, or a pair you can wear all day without thinking, the Cloudtilt takes the win.
  

1. Comfort-wise: Both are excellent, but Cloudtilt edges ahead.
2. Look-wise: 9060 makes a louder statement; Cloudtilt is clean, minimal, and versatile.
3. Colour-wise: NB has far more variety, Cloudtilt mostly sticks to black, brown, and white tones.

Personally? I wear Cloudtilts daily to the office, airports, and even long trips. They won me over when I walked 28,000 steps in them at Sneakercon Singapore without a single issue. But I also love the 9060 and have been eyeing the black/white colorway, just waiting for the right deal 😉.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table