[Washaway]

Grey hoses that i've owned have been thrown to the curb sooner than anything else I've EVER owned. Not b/c they have marked anything (they have not) but b/c I've found them to be like cheap extension cords.....their memory retention is excellent and after a while a 50' foot hose becomes 42'. They have kinked and looped without release.

With the exception of 2 50' grey hoses, all we've EVER used were the blue non marking.
Lack of memory retention (even when worn down to the bare metal braids) is almost non existent. But more importantly THEY DO NO MARK. When the material covering the braids powderizes and happens to leave a mark (which only occurs near end-life of hose) it is washed away by simply hosing, without ANY pressure.

As a side note: if a blue hose marks a driveway or sidewalk then 9 times out of 10 it's b/c of pulsating water pressure or vibration of the hose. That's not a malfunction of the hose itself but other mechanical items!!

ps Russ: while reading John's reply I was thinking to myself how ticked off I would be if I were in your shoes. Excellent response and I would never be sorry for posting what you have. You are correct Sir!