The name of this colorway promises grey, but that’s not the first thing I notice. This is primarily a black sneaker, with grey showing through underneath. That may sound like a minor detail, but it does determine who will find it appealing.
What you see on the shoe
The upper is made up of black mesh with black suede overlays across the toe box, midfoot and heel. The ASICS stripes on the sides are the same shade as the rest of the shoe: they stand out because of their shape and the contrast in materials, not because of their color. The grey sits underneath. It shows through the mesh panels and returns in the layered midsole. There’s a visible GEL window in the side of the sole, while the ASICS logo on the heel piece is embossed in the same color.
The result is a shoe that reveals much more up close than it does from a distance. From two meters away, it’s simply a black sneaker. Up close, you see suede next to mesh next to smooth material — and that’s where it gets its character.
Would I wear it myself?
Yes, and for a fairly simple reason: this is the kind of sneaker you put on without giving it a second thought. The shape is substantial, with a broad midsole and a heavily padded collar. It’s unmistakably a retro runner. But the colorway takes the edge off that. A bright colorway on this silhouette demands attention; this one doesn’t.
That makes it easy to wear with dark jeans, grey trousers or black cotton. One thing I would keep in mind: black suede and black mesh don’t wear at the same rate. The suede will start to look dull sooner in the areas where the shoe flexes. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing before you declare it your smart pair.
I wouldn’t make a blind guess when it comes to the fit. Whether you should take your usual size depends on your foot. Try it on, or compare the sizing first before ordering.
How it performs in the market
The retail price is 150 euros, and that’s where most of the market sits too: a sizeable group of shops lists it at 149.95 or 150 euros. More interesting is the low end. The cheapest regular webshop is offering it for 100 euros, and seventeen of the sixty-one active listings are below 140 euros. That’s not a sale, but it does make a difference whether you pay 150 or 100 for the same shoe.
What stands out to me is the breadth of the selection. Of those 61 listings, 46 come from regular webshops, with a total of 56 different sellers behind them. This isn’t a model you have to go out of your way to find: it’s simply available in stores, with plenty of choice. On the model page for the Asics GEL-NYC, you can see how it compares with the other colorways.
The Hypescore is 85, putting it in the ATOMIC range. On Grail or Bail, the ratio is 1,080 to 209. For a colorway that makes so little effort to stand out, that’s a strikingly clear result. Apparently, understated shoes do just fine.
If you’re considering it, start by checking the price difference between shops and making sure of your size. With such a broad selection, both can vary considerably, and that fifty-euro difference is right there for the taking. You can find more from this brand in the overview of ASICS.