New Balance capped off the month of July by launching its latest low-profile sneaker, the 204L. With its slim sole and the muted beige palette of the debut Mushroom colorway, it’s not hard to see why the model was quickly compared to New Balance’s coveted 503L collaboration with Miu Miu. And while the 204L may lack some of the flair and branding found on the Miu Miu iteration, it also comes at a fraction of the price of the $1,220 designer version.
Now, after a quick sell out of the initial style, the New Balance 204L is set for its second release. This time, the sneaker takes on a similarly restrained tonal look in an even lighter Timberwolf/Linen combination. This translates to a light gray, nearly off-white suede upper atop a darker gray rubber outsole. For those that missed out on the Mushroom makeup, this new release offers a similar look which is arguably even more wearable for the final stretch of summer.
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While the aesthetic of the 204L is familiar, the sneaker is unique in that it doesn’t fully draw from one specific era. Instead, its low-profile sole references the 1970s track and running shoe aesthetic that is currently dominating trends, where the upper of the shoe is more aligned with New Balance’s technical overlays of the 1990s and 2000s. The mash-up of decades results in a design that checks off today’s trend boxes while remaining rooted in New Balance’s DNA.
Other 2025 New Balance models of note include the Abzorb 2000 and the Abzorb 2010. In a June interview, New Balance general manager of lifestyle inline and speed, Paul Kaseumsouk, told Footwear News that part of the goal with the Abzorb 2000 was meant to both reference and evolve the brand’s legacy. “You can still find subtle nods to our heritage in the detailing and craftsmanship, but the overall design was meant to break the mold and signal a bold step forward,” Kaseumsouk said.
The New Balance 204L Timberwolf will be released Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET from newbalance.com for a retail price of $110. It will also be stocked at select New Balance retailers globally. The style code for the Timberwolf colorway pictured here is U204LMMC.
