# Muted Tonal Heritage Sneakers New Balance's WRPD Runner Arrives in a Grey Matter Hue By Amy Duong | Published 2024-01-18 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grey-matter References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2024/1/new-balance-wrpd-runner-grey-matter-release-info) & [newbalance](https://newbalance.com/)  New Balance unveils a new tonal iteration of the WRPD Runner sneaker model in a Grey Matter colorway palette. It dives into the brand's heritage with a juxtaposing hue that looks to the future. The silhouette has seen a few muted variations lately with the Sea Salt and Dark Mushroom as well as brighter hues of Black and Green for example. The Grey Matter colorway has both a retro and futuristic alignment with its grey base foundation. The N logo. motif is seen in a darker grey background along the lateral and medial sides of the shoe for a subtle contrast. The same hue can be seen as the underlays of mesh to add breathability and a slight contrast of color throughout. Image Credit: New Balance, [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2024/1/new-balance-wrpd-runner-grey-matter-release-info), [newbalance](https://newbalance.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 21% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Tonal Heritage Sneakers:** New Balance unveils a new tonal iteration of the WRPD Runner sneaker model in a Grey Matter colorway palette, tapping into the brand's heritage while infusing a futuristic design. - **Juxtaposing Hue:** The Grey Matter colorway of the WRPD Runner sneaker offers a juxtaposing hue that combines retro and futuristic elements, creating a unique aesthetic. - **Muted Variations:** New Balance's WRPD Runner sneaker has recently introduced muted variations like Sea Salt and Dark Mushroom, expanding its color options to cater to different preferences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Footwear Manufacturing:** The introduction of tonal heritage sneakers like the WRPD Runner in Grey Matter by New Balance presents opportunities for footwear manufacturers to blend retro and futuristic designs. - **Fashion Retail:** Fashion retailers can capitalize on the popularity of tonal sneakers like the WRPD Runner in Grey Matter by New Balance to attract customers who seek unique and versatile footwear options. - **Sportswear:** The muted variations of the WRPD Runner by New Balance, such as the Grey Matter colorway, create innovative options for sportswear brands to offer customers distinctive and stylish athletic footwear. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Muted Neutral Earthy Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grey-days-colorway.md) - [Wavy Structured Bold Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wrpd-runner.md) - [Muted Monochromatic Lifestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-and-grey-colorway.md) - [Neutral Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/m991wtr.md) - [Greyscale Lifestyle Sneaker Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grey-day-2.md) - [Pastel Tonal Sneaker Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/9060-sneakers.md) - [Minimal Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/509-sneaker.md) - [Minimal Monochromatic Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nimbus-cloud-colorway.md) - [Retro Casual Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1300-sneaker.md)