Asics is putting the Gel-NYC back on shelves, this time in “Grey Cement Grey” with stylecode 1203A280-021. And yes, that’s another grey Asics. If you feel like you’ve seen this shoe before, you probably have. Still, the story is a little more interesting than the color name would suggest.
Grey as a business model
Let’s be honest: Asics has turned grey into a business model. Cement, mist, concrete, oyster – by now, the brand has brought more shades of grey to market than a paint manufacturer. The Gel-NYC “Grey Cement Grey” fits seamlessly into that tradition. Viewed cynically, this is the safest release imaginable. But safe doesn’t mean bad, and that’s exactly where this shoe gets tricky: it’s simply good.
An archive mix that works
The Gel-NYC isn’t a classic retro, but a modern mix of archive elements, combined into a silhouette that looks older than it is. Normally, I’m allergic to that kind of manufactured nostalgia – a shoe pretending to have a history. But Asics has handled it sensibly here: the proportions are right, the layers of mesh and suede-like panels add depth to what could otherwise have been a boring grey lump, and the comfort is exactly what you’d expect from this brand. For anyone looking for one pair that goes with everything, this is about as close to a final destination as it gets.
The price question
Then there’s the money. The Gel-NYC occupies a segment where prices vary widely from shop to shop, making it an expensive hobby to order blindly from the first webshop you come across. Right now, prices start at [sz_price_from stylecode=”1203A280-021″], and the gap between that and the most expensive seller is often bigger than you’d expect. This isn’t a shoe you need to pay a resale premium for, so don’t. Anyone willing to wait will also see these kinds of grey runners regularly drop in price once the next grey version is announced. And there will be one. There always is.
A conclusion without the confetti
The Gel-NYC “Grey Cement Grey” won’t make any list of the year’s most exciting releases, and it doesn’t need to. This is a practical shoe with a good fit and a colorway that still won’t clash with anything five years from now. Boring? Absolutely. But most of today’s hyped releases will be embarrassing in two years, and this one won’t. To be safe, check the current prices and available sizes – the counter is currently at [sz_price_from stylecode=”1203A280-021″] – through the shop comparison on Solezilla, and save the difference for something less sensible.