New Balance Grey Day has now become “Grey Days” as the brand celebrates its favourite shade for more than a few days. This year, they’re releasing a handful of exclusive sneakers alongside a curated apparel collection over the course of a few weeks. Up first are fan-favourite models like the 327, 574, and 550, which are now available online. However, we’re most excited for the ‘Grey Days’ exclusive releases that include a WRPD Runner, 1906R, and the headlining Fresh Foam X 1080 Utility.
We’ve detailed our favourite Grey Day releases below, presenting a strong lineup of exclusive sneakers that pay homage to the brand’s iconic grey colourways and represent the epitome of style, comfort, and craftsmanship.
New Balance Grey Day Release Schedule:
- May 2nd – The Grey Shop launches, including 327, 574, 550, and apparel.
- May 17th – The ‘Grey Days’ WRPD Runner and 1906R launch.
- May 20th – The Fresh Foam X 1080 ‘Grey’ launches.
The collection will be available in stores and online at New Balance throughout May with prices ranging from $80 – $320 AUD for footwear and $60 – $130 AUD for apparel.
RELATED: The New Balance 550 Has Never Been Easier to Cop.
Fresh Foam X 1080 Utility
Price: AU$260
Release date: 20th May at 10:00am AEST
Style #: M1080LAF
The Fresh Foam X 1080 has been a favourite silhouette of ours since its release, but this colourway is easily the best we’ve seen yet. Sure to be a hit for any New Balance fan during Grey Days, the Castlerock and Harbor Grey colourway has cleverly added premium suede materials to the ‘N’ logo and more to perfectly balance the technically engineered air mesh upper. Of course, comfort is next-level and is targeted to all kinds of runners with a comfortable Fresh Foam X midsole that’ offers a ‘s be re-tuned to offer a smooth transition. Where needed the NDurance rubber outsole provides superior durability and wear resistance.
WRPD Runner Grey Days
Price: AU$250
Release date: 17th May at 10:00am AEST
Style #: UWRPDGD
We reckon the WRPD Runner is the most underrated silhouette in New Balance’s line-up right now, so if you want to stay ahead of the trends, now’s a great time to pick up a pair for yourself. The design takes heritage nods from sneakers like the 990v3 and modernises them with a sculpted, wavy outsole pattern that blends up to the knit, synthetic and wool mesh upper. We’ve been wearing a pair since they released and the first thing you’ll notice is the comfort thanks to the cushy full-length FuelCell midsole. Perfect for wearing with a pair of trousers as the weather turns cold in Australia.
1906R Grey Days
Price: AU$240
Release date: 17th May at 10:00am AEST
Style #: M1906RGR
The New Balance 1906R might be the brand’s most popular lifestyle model right now. At least, that’s what we reckon looking around the streets of Sydney. It looks retro, but this is an all-new silhouette that balances past and present and takes inspiration from natural stone structures. They’re perfectly suitable for everyday wear with trousers, double knees, and denim jeans. Of course, comfort is second nature with ACTEVA LITE midsole cushioning, ABZORB SBS heel cushioning, N-ergy outsole provides superior shock absorption, Stability Web technology for added arch support.
What is New Balance Grey Day?
Every sneaker brand needs a colour that resembles its design philosophy and history. Jordan Brand has Red (the colour of MJ’s Chicago Bulls), Nike has Orange (the colour of their famous sportswear boxes), and New Balance has Grey which represents the area between black and white. There was a great quote from Paul Kaseumsouk from NB who said “Grey is balance. Grey is neutral. Grey is calming,” which was a great way of explaining the brand’s stance on this shade. Ultimately, Grey matters.
Since the 1980s New Balance has been exploring neutral colour palettes to create some of the most famous sneakers ever. None have been more influential to fashion than the 990 and it’s the grey colour palette that was, and continues to be, “worn on supermodels in London and dads in Ohio.”
It goes beyond that though, because when the 990 was first released in 1982, its $100 USD price point and premium grey suede upper made it an instant status symbol, cementing it as the colour of sneaker royalty. Fast-forwarding six years to 1988, and the 574 brought the hue to the masses. With its affordable price and status as New Balance’s first true ‘lifestyle’ sneaker, it became a wardrobe staple without any more than a little word of mouth. Thus, Grey was born.
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