New Balance 2002R
The New Balance 2002R is a remastered version of the original 2002. To say the New Balance 2002 didn’t launch to public acclaim would be an understatement. Between a $250 price tag necessitated by high-tech hardware and an unpopular design, the sneakers left shelves shortly after hitting them. However, the influx of attention that “dad shoes” as a whole received as they neared their 10 year anniversary prompted creatives at New Balance to re-evaluate the forgotten design.
Enter the New Balance 2002R. Revamped with a sole unit borrowed from the New Balance 860, the “refurbished” take on the silhouette brought its price tag down to a much more palatable $130. That reduction in MSRP was one of a few factors that allowed its 2020 emergence to go over much smoother than its initial launch.
While collaborations with the likes of BAPE, Salehe Bembury and KITH highlight some of the defining colorways, a history of the 2002R wouldn’t be complete without mention of the “Protection Pack.” Planting frayed suede on the lifestyle silhouette towards the end of 2021 for over a dozen colorways, pairs from that collection are arguably the most impactful ever seen on the 2002R.
In 2025, the 2002R continues to factor heavily into New Balance’s seasonal offerings, with recent collaborations with partners like JJJJound adding an additional boost to the product line.
New Balance 2002R
The New Balance 2002R Experiments With A “Black/Silver”
What more can we say about the New Balance 2002R? In some ways, the model has followed the lifespan of the competing Nike Dunk Low,...
Yellow Suede Wraps The New Balance 2002R
Even while taking a back seat to newer silhouettes like the 2000 and 2010, the New Balance 2002R remains a key pillar in the Boston...
The New Balance 2002R Chips Out A Compelling “Arid Stone”
Save for the recent return of the “Protection Pack,” the New Balance 2002R has largely shifted toward low-key essential styles as newer silhouettes like the...
The New Balance 2002R Gets A Vintage Touch With Khaki Midsoles
White suede sneakers aren’t exactly ideal for the cooler months in most regions, but we’re not ones to pass up a clean GR. If you...
The Original Three New Balance 2002R Protection Pack Is Hitting The US
We’re in an era in which quick-turnaround retros are the norm; it’s not entirely uncommon for a shoe to trickle back to shelves just a...
The New Balance 2002R Pours Up “Black Coffee”
Kicks like the New Balance 204L and the New Balance 2000 will almost undoubtedly be the highlights once the “of the year” mill begins turning...
The New Balance 2002R Cops Essential Grey And Black
Those who look to New Balance for trendy options have plenty of optionality; the New Balance 204L, New Balance 2000, and New Balance 1906L each...
Classic New Balance Vibes Define The 2002R “Slate Grey”
Models like the New Balance 2010 and 2000 have largely overtaken the 2002R on the priority list when it comes to collaborations, but the preceding...
The GORE-Tex Upgraded New Balance 2002R Goes “Magnet”
Simply put, if you’re looking to add some winter options to your rotation without sacrificing your New Balance favorites in the process, you’ve got a...