The New Balance 9060 is somewhat of an oddball. First introduced last year, the chunky sneaker borrows elements from various New Balance classics and exaggerates them, referencing the 990 series for its upper and the 860 for its diamond-shaped outsole.

Through a slew of collabs, including Bricks & Wood and Bodega, and several inline pairs, New Balance was able to thrust this new silhouette into the spotlight. However, the 9060 has yet to capture the same level of attention that its older siblings had managed.

With its layered upper, dual-density midsole and diamond outsole, the New Balance 9060 offers plenty to play on, as can be seen on its various collabs. New Balance even dropped a wild multi-color pair as if to illustrate its versatility.

On the recently-surfaced “Grey Matter” colorway, however, it seems the Boston footwear brand has decided to hit the brakes and embrace a new neutral look for the 9060. Opting for an earthy palette, the mesh upper now dons an off-white hue; nubuck overlays are rendered in grey, beige and brown. The same shade of brown also wraps the heels and tongue labels.

Down below, a bunch of cream tones is complemented by olive, another earth hue. None of the colors here compete with each other for attention, instead working in tandem to create an unassuming au naturel look. It’s a refreshing take on the NB 9060 and opens up more future possibilities for the retrofuturistic model.

The New Balance 9060 “Grey Matter” is already available in Australia and some parts of Europe, and will release in late February in Japan, with pre-orders already happening at select partner retailers. Stay tuned for more updates.

In other New Balance news, The Basement and New Balance unveils an F&F 2002R “Dark Slate”.