Past Meets Present: New Balance’s 204L Breaks the Mold
Just when you thought New Balance had settled into its groove, the brand throws a curveball. Enter the 204L—a lean, layered lifestyle sneaker that feels like a walk through time, but in the best way possible.
Inspired by the gritty charm of '70s running shoes and the utilitarian edge of early 2000s tech design, the 204L isn’t trying to scream for attention—but it doesn’t need to. This low-profile silhouette strikes a clean balance between nostalgia and innovation, blending slim construction with unexpected textures and standout detailing.
It’s not just another rehash of a retro classic. According to Pierome Sar, Senior Designer at New Balance, the 204L was born from a team effort that aimed to deliver something fresh while staying grounded in what sneakerheads already love. “When designing the 204L, we knew we wanted to offer a versatile, sleek sneaker while producing something new and fresh,” he says. “The shoe is designed to stand out from other New Balance models with this convergence of two different eras, set to be released in unique materials and colourways.”
You’ll catch the details in the multi-piece upper layered with embossed overlays, the 2000s-inspired strike path etched into the outsole, and a double-stacked suede ‘N’ logo that proudly rides both decades at once. A flash of screen-printed graphics along the saddle and a 70s-style tread wrap up the build with intention. It’s the kind of sneaker that feels thought-through, not thrown together.
The 204L made its first appearance earlier this summer on none other than Rosalía, New Balance’s newly minted global ambassador. In a campaign that leans high fashion without losing its edge, the Grammy-winning artist showcases the shoe’s quiet versatility and effortless cool.
The first drop lands 30 July 2025 and will be available online, as well as in-store at New Balance Pavilion KL and IOI City Mall, priced at RM499. Keep an eye out for more colourways rolling out in the months ahead—this silhouette isn’t going anywhere.
Visit newbalance.com.my for more updates.
