# Grayscale Vegan Sneakers New Balance Unveils the 990v5 Vegan with Adapted 'V' Logo By Niko Pajkovic | Published 2022-01-07 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-990v5 References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2022/1/new-balance-990v5-vegan-suede-gray-release-date-information) & [newbalance](https://www.newbalance.ca/) American footwear giant [New Balance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v4-sneaker) has officially unveiled 990v5 Vegan. The new sneaker looks nearly identical to the classic model but has replaced its use of pigskin suede and genuine leather with more sustainable, vegan-friendly alternatives. Delivered in the brand's signature grayscale palette and built with sustainability in mind, the 990v5 Vegan should appeal to eco-conscious shoppers who consider themselves fans of the brand. Vegan leather is used throughout the model, which is combined with a [gray mesh](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grey-days-colorway) that is layered underneath the shoe's uppers. In addition, plastic overlays are found on the three-quarter panels and heel cups. One standout feature, which denotes the vegan nature of the sneaker, is an adapted "V" logo on the heel, delivered in a [green and white color scheme](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-suede-colorway). Image Credit: New Balance ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## 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 - **Sustainable Sneakers:** Brands who create sustainable sneakers by replacing animal-based materials with vegan-friendly alternatives could appeal to eco-conscious shoppers. - **Vegan Fashion:** The use of vegan leather and materials in fashion items like sneakers caters to consumers who prioritize animal rights and ethical fashion choices. - **Green Marketing:** Green marketing campaigns that highlight the use of sustainable and vegan materials in products such as sneakers can appeal to eco-conscious consumers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Footwear:** Footwear brands can innovate and disrupt the industry by replacing traditional animal-based materials in their products with vegan-friendly and sustainable alternatives. - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can tap into the growing demand for sustainable and ethical products by incorporating vegan-friendly materials, such as leather alternatives, into their designs. - **Marketing:** Brands that focus on environmentally-friendly and sustainable messaging in marketing campaigns can capture the attention of eco-conscious consumers, and differentiate themselves in the market. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Monochromatic Suede Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v4-made-in-usa.md) - [Avocado-Inspired Tonal Lifestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avocado-colorway-1.md) - [Muted Monochromatic Lifestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-and-grey-colorway.md) - [White Tonal Vintage Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v6-made-in-usa.md) - [Festive Vibrant Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v4-1.md) - [Dark Olive Green Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-camo-colorway.md) - [Patent Leather Logo Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/550-silhouette.md) - [Navy Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v6-1.md) - [Earthy Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-in-usa-2.md)