New Balance 1906 Utility "Grey Matter" Grey Matter/Flare/Castlerock U1906NF The 1906 Utility, like its cousins the 2002R and the 860v2, is led by a sole unit featuring a combination of flexible ACTEVA LITE cushioning, shock absorbing N-ergy, and segmented ABZORB SBS pods at the heel. This hi-tech approach is also reflected in the 1906R’s upper design, which features open-holed mesh and a series of curvilinear synthetic overlays. This distinctive take on the era’s design conventions offers a refined execution of high-performance heritage.