New Balance's Futuristic Gray Sneaker Topples the Dad Shoe Charts

Double Tap to ZoomSneakersNew Balance's Somber-Hued Dad Shoe Goes GrayNew Balance and gray are all but synonymous at this point. So an all-gray U1954 doesn't really sound like anything out of the box for the dad shoe don dada.Like, a gray sneaker? That's just another Tuesday for NB. Even still, there is something unignorable about the somber-hued NB1954. Now, despite what its name might suggest, the 1954 was actually released in 2026. It’s basically just a baby. So where does the name come from? It's actually the average of 2002 and 1906, the two New Balance sneakers that the 1954 is inspired by. Pretty creative if not a bit geeky. Such is life, though. As for its gray color, well, that's not too typical either. Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.The 1954's gray colorway is much richer than the light gray hues we associate with NB classics like the 990 or 475. Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.This deeper gray colorway pairs well with the sneaker's sporty build, which looks more like a techy runner than an aged dad shoe. But it's not just the color itself that makes the 1954 sneaker stand out. It's the monochrome-mania of it all that really places the 1954 into its own grayed-out lane.From the laces to the outsole to the soft suede "N" logo, this lush gray New Balance 1954 sneaker maintains a slate-gray disposition, while more classic NB dad shoes hover right around the heather-gray mark. It’s the same — but different.Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit our SHOPPER page and subscribe to the newsletter for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.We RecommendNew Balance’s Earthy Slim Sneaker Is a Minimalist MasterpieceNew Balance’s Sumptuous Dad Shoe Is Rich in Autumnal Flavor This Candy-Colored New Balance Dad Sneaker Is a Rosey DreamNew Balance’s Miu Miu-Flavored Sneaker Gets SeriousFrom Salomon to adidas, Browse This Week’s Best Sneaker ReleasesWhat To Read NextJustin Bieber's Clothing Brand Is Good, Actually New Balance's Futuristic Gray Sneaker Topples the Dad Shoe ChartsASICS Made a Dragon Fruit Refresher Out of Its Techy Dad ShoeThis Plush Suede Classic Is a Pretty MFNike’s Skate-able Forces Went Olive Suede on the Session ‘FitNike’s Most Composed Slipper Is as Sweet as Vanilla Ice Cream