Grey Days: New Balance's most iconic celebration

Grey Days is here! Every May, sneakerheads eagerly await this global celebration dedicated to grey , New Balance's signature color. Launched in 2018, Grey Day (now extended to Grey Days ) has become the day to celebrate New Balance's legacy and community. The reason? For New Balance, gray isn't just any color: it's synonymous with its history, style, and timeless quality. Back in the late 1970s, New Balance adopted gray suede as a solution for urban runners, as it was more resistant to dirt and blended in with city asphalt. That seemingly humble decision forged an identity: from the 1980s to today, gray New Balance sneakers have become instantly recognizable icons in sneaker culture. Grey Days is, in essence, a tribute to that enduring identity and the passion that we fans share for "New Balance grey".

How is Grey Days celebrated?

While originally Grey Day was a specific date (officially May 10, NB's "grey day") The celebration has grown enormously. New Balance elevated Grey Day to a full month-long celebration in 2024. Rebranding it as Grey Days and filling the entire month of May with special releases, events, and collaborations, the brand pulls out all the stops each year: limited editions of classic models in new gray colorways, brand-new silhouettes, capsule collections, and collaborations with boutiques and designers—all dressed in gray . For example, in 2023, New Balance launched the "Moon Daze" themed pack, which imagined what sneakers would look like after walking on the moon: four models (550, 580, 9060, and More Trail v3) dyed gray with galactic details to tell a futuristic story shared with our satellite. .

Grey Days also serves as a way for New Balance to connect with its community on another level. In 2024, the brand released a short film titled “Grey Days” on May 10th, featuring 1960s-style animations and historical reenactments celebrating decades of love for grey NBs. In addition, they organized creative talks (from Dubai to New York) exploring how the color gray defines sneaker fashion and culture around the world. New Balance transforms this celebration into a complete experience: they don't just launch sneakers, they tell stories , invite artists and athletes, and reinforce the sense of global community. Each Grey Day/Grey Days reminds us why NB's grey "beautifies everything it touches" —it's versatile, authentic, and never goes out of style.

Grey Days models available at Sabasnet.com

This year, SABAS has several star models that perfectly embody the spirit of Grey Days. Below, we highlight four silhouettes that every NB fan should consider to join the Grey Days celebration. Each shines with its own unique light – design, inspiration, technologies – but all share that NB Grey essence that we celebrate at Grey Days.

New Balance 9060

The New Balance 9060 (available at sabasnet.com) is pure nostalgic innovation. Its design is a love letter to NB's legacy: it takes DNA from the classic 99X series and blends it with the running aesthetic of the 2000s. The result is a retro-futuristic , chunky silhouette that's love at first sight. The upper combines layers of mesh and suede to form eye-catching panels and a giant N logo that demands attention. Below, the 9060 surprises with an exaggeratedly shaped podular midsole, designed from the ground up and loaded with ultra-soft ABZORB cushioning. This NB foam provides comfortable footing and bounce, achieving a balance between high fashion and athletic performance. It's no coincidence that the 9060 was included in Grey Days celebrations: it was part of the 2023 Moon Daze pack, sporting space gray tones. It often appears in gray colorways ( “Mindful Grey,” etc.) that highlight its futuristic curves. In short, the NB 9060 perfectly embodies the Grey Days philosophy: it honors the past (references to the 990 and 860v2) while imagining the future , all with the comfort and style needed to stand out in a unique pair of gray sneakers.

New Balance 1906R

While Grey Days celebrates NB's history, the 1906R model literally carries the brand's founding year in its name. Available at sabasnet.com, this shoe brings back a runner from the late 2000s and adapts it to current trends. The result? A sneaker that combines retro style and modern performance like few others. Its technical mesh upper with synthetic overlays is reminiscent of NB running shoes from 2006-2010, with that vintage "tech runner" touch that's trending today. But under the hood, the 1906R is pure NB technology: it features ABZORB cushioning in the midsole and N-ergy in the outsole , achieving a responsive ride and superior shock absorption. It also incorporates the Stability Web system in the arch for greater support, and ABZORB SBS units in the heel for extra stability and comfort. In simpler terms: it's as comfortable for all-day wear as any modern sneaker, despite its retro running look. Its 2000s aesthetic (with leather and suede overlays on the mesh) makes it stand out in gray, a color that highlights its details. It's no surprise that New Balance chose it for special Grey Day editions: the 2024 1906R "Grey Day" came in a coveted monochromatic "Moonrock/Moonbeam" colorway. Proving that a good pair of gray sneakers never goes out of style. If you want a shoe that tells the NB story with every step, the 1906R is the one – a balance of heritage and modernity in sneaker form.

New Balance 2002R

Few sneakers represent New Balance's urban fashion revival as well as the 2002R (now available at sabasnet.com). Originally launched in 2010 as a luxury running shoe, the 2002 returned a decade later with the "R" ( Refined ) suffix to conquer the streets. Why is it a perfect fit for Grey Days? Because it combines premium materials, outstanding comfort, and that timeless style that makes grey an irresistible color. Its design is a modern twist on the running aesthetic of the 2000s , with a sleek silhouette crafted from pigskin suede and breathable mesh. This gives it a classic yet refined look, easy to wear with any everyday outfit. Underfoot, New Balance incorporated premium technologies: a lightweight ACTEVA LITE midsole, ABZORB SBS cushioning in the heel , and the N-ergy outsole with Stability Web, which together provide support, shock absorption, and stability with every step. In other words, the 2002R feels as good as it looks. Fans know this silhouette has shone in gray : just think of the famous 2002R “Rain Cloud” from the Protection Pack , with its distressed gray suede finish, which became a legendary pair for its design and demand. The 2002R embodies the Grey Days spirit because it proves how a reimagined classic in gray tones can elevate your everyday style without sacrificing comfort. It’s the ideal choice for anyone looking for a shoe with historical pedigree and current fashion vibes—the kind of shoe that, when worn on Grey Days, makes you say, “I’m part of New Balance history, too.”

New Balance 1000

Finally, we couldn't leave out the New Balance 1000 – a resurrected legend that sabasnet.com is making available to enthusiastic sneakerheads. Originally released in 1999, the NB 1000 returned during the height of the dad shoe trend to remind us that New Balance can also be rebellious and innovative. What makes the 1000 so special? First, its design fully embraces the Y2K aesthetic of the late '90s: a streamlined and unconventional silhouette with layers of synthetic materials and unusual details (for example, eye-catching nylon eyelets on the laces). Its standout features include overlapping panels with a metallic finish and the enormous side "N" with a raised TPU border, giving it a futuristic yet robust look. Second, it comes equipped with the top technology of its time (which still performs well today): full-body ABZORB cushioning in the heel and forefoot , for a soft landing despite the bulky look. ; a Stability Web plate in the midfoot that provides lightweight support; and a padded collar with internal foam at the ankle that ensures a secure fit The sole is another distinctive element: it has a segmented and sculpted design that enhances the retro-futuristic aesthetic and provides a wide and stable base. All of this makes the NB 1000 surprisingly comfortable and functional, as well as visually striking (those silver waves instantly catch the eye!). In the context of Grey Days, the 1000 represents a celebration of heritage with a forward-looking vision : an archival model brought into the present to delight collectors. In fact, New Balance has been releasing it in high-profile collaborations (Joe Freshgoods, KITH, atmos, etc.), often in gray and silver combinations that highlight its Grey spirit. Wearing NB 1000s during Grey Days is a bold declaration of love for the brand's history, demonstrating that pride in "NB gray" encompasses everything from venerable classics to unexpected comebacks.