New Balance 2002R

NEW BALANCE 2002R: A SNEAKER THAT ALMOST NEVER SEEN THE LIGHT

NEW BALANCE 2002R: PAST

The New Balance 2002R was introduced in 2010 as the successor to the technically impressive but not particularly appealing 2001 shoe. The model was handcrafted in New Balance's factories in the US and was painstakingly assembled from nubuck, mesh and full-length N-ERGY soles borrowed from the 1906 running shoe. Fashion designer Ronnie Fieg once said this about the 2002R model: "The midsole is equipped with a suspension system that is better than most of your cars." Of course, this high praise came with a high price. New Balance was no stranger to charging a premium for their products, and nearly 30 years after selling shoes for $100, the 2002 was launched at the impressive price of $250.

Unfortunately, the high price of the New Balance 2002r was not appreciated by the average consumer, who could not necessarily understand the extraordinary quality that justified the high price for a pair of sneakers. As a result of the high price and lack of attention, the 2002 was almost forgotten and risked ending up as an exorbitant footnote in New Balance's back catalog. When the shoe was discontinued, dedicated fans did not stop searching for dead stock in the hope that their favorite shoe would never be re-released.

NEW BALANCE EXPLOITS THE TREND TO MAKE A COMEBACK

It wasn't until 2020 that the New Balance 2002R began to gain attention again thanks to the growing "Dad Shoe" trend. New Balance saw the potential in reviving their archival models and decided to relaunch the 2002R under their lifestyle category at a more affordable price of $130. This price reduction and increased competitiveness was made possible by producing the shoe in the Far East - New Balance's reputation for quality control still ensured a high quality for the price.

NEW BALANCE 2002R: SHOE DESIGN AND FEATURES

The New Balance 2002R shoes stand out with their classic, Old School and functional design. The upper is made of a combination of mesh and suede, which provides both comfort and style. The shoe is also known for its durability and breathability, which is a common feature of New Balance sneakers. It is equipped with ABZORB technology, which provides extra cushioning and comfort with every step. The lateral side of the shoe also has N-ERGY technology, which acts as a shock absorber.

NEW BALANCE 2002R: COLLABS AND COLORWAYS

One of the reasons for the 2002R's success is the many collabs and colorways that have been released. In 2021, several collabs were launched with prominent names such as Salehe Bembury, thisisneverthat, JD Sports and Invincible. These collaborations have helped to increase the popularity of the shoe and create a cult status around it.

In addition, New Balance has also released a number of solid colorways that have developed their own reputations. One example is the "Protection Pack", which was previously known as the "Refined Future". These shoes have been in ultra-demand since their release and have helped cement the New Balance 2002R as an iconic sneaker in sneaker culture.

FINAL VERDICT - DO THE NEW BALANCE 2002R SHOES DESERVE THE HYPE?

The New Balance 2002R is a sneaker that was almost forgotten, but managed to regain its popularity and create a wave of excitement among Sneakerheads globally. After nearly ending up as a footnote in New Balance's back catalog, the 2002R was revived and given a fresh new approach that appealed to sneaker enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike. With its unique design, comfort, and clean colorways , the New Balance 2002R has positioned itself as one of the most popular sneakers of 2021, 2022, and 2023. With continued releases and collaborations, it looks like the 2002R's success will continue to make history in the world of sneaker.

Also see our New Balance 550 and 990 .