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, allowing its 2020 emergence to go over much more smoothly 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 2024, the 2002R continues to factor heavily into New Balance’s seasonal offerings, with recent collaborations with the likes of JJJJound adding an additional boost to the product line.