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 “True Red” Debuts Gradient Mesh

New Balance isn’t without models that can drum up brand heat. With the help of partners like Joe Freshgoods, KITH and Stone Island (or even...

By Matt Varga March 31, 2025
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Shades Of Spring Wrap The New Balance 2002R

This newly-released New Balance 2002R checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to Spring/Summer footwear. The breathable, comfort-first tech runner is met with...

By Andrew Rizzo March 31, 2025
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The Size? x New Balance 2002R Protection Pack “Brown” Releases March 13th

Updated March 10th, 2025: Size? has announced release information for their New Balance 2002R “Protection Pack” trio. The brown colorway releases via draw on March...

By Matt Varga March 10, 2025
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The New Balance 2002R Makes A “Made In USA” Impression In Grey

New Balance loves a grey sneaker, so much so that they’ve created an unofficial holiday surrounding the signature color. Every May, the Boston sneaker brand...

By Andrew Rizzo March 9, 2025
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The New Balance 2002R Cools Off In “Sea Salt”

The ascension of models like the New Balance 1906R and New Balance 9060 as premium product hasn’t led the Boston brand to shelve the New...

By Matt Varga March 8, 2025
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“Arid Stone” Sets On The New Balance 2002R

As New Balance preps the breadth of their Spring/Summer ’25 offerings, the New Balance 2002R has been a major presence. Largely sticking to the same...

By Matt Varga March 6, 2025
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Lush “Ice Wine” Coats The New Balance 2002R For Spring/Summer

Newness is driving headlines for the Boston brand in 2025, illustrated by entirely fresh faces like the New Balance 2000 and New Balance 2010. However,...

By Matt Varga March 4, 2025
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Green Suede Wraps A Neo-Vintage New Balance 2002R

The New Balance 2002R is prepping warm weather with a variety of suede-heavy options for Spring 2025. Joining “Passion Fruit” and “Green Apple” colorways in...

By Andrew Rizzo March 3, 2025
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Quench Your Sneaker Thirst With The New Balance 2002R “Sprite”

Since its unleashing in mid-late 2020, the New Balance 2002R has taken the casual comfort scene by absolute storm. Combining the timeless design of the...

By Sneaker News March 2, 2025
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