The History of the New Balance 2002r
The New Balance 2002 was released in 2010, the predecessor of the 2002R. Designed as a top-of-the-market sneaker, it joined the brand’s line of grey suede running shoes. It adopted the sole of New Balance’s best running shoe at the time: the 1906.
Luxury and the lifestyle of a CEO were the inspiration for the design of the 2002. Nyssen shared an early image in the shoe's design process, where he photoshopped it onto the feet of then- New Balance CEO Rob DeMartini.
"I wanted to design a sneaker for our CEO at the time and asked myself, 'What would that look like?'" says Nyssen. The original mood board for the shoe also included Bentleys and Hublot watches.
"We looked at Bentleys [when working on the shoe]. It's the combination of high-end luxury with high-end performance and that you can have both," says Nyssen. "The same goes for watches that not only perform but also represent the utmost in luxury and stature. That's what we were thinking about when we designed and developed the shoe."
The price tag reflected its luxury feel. At $250, it was $100 more expensive than the retro Air Jordans that came onto the market in the same year.
"The 2000 series, it was a super expensive price point, nothing really rivaled that within our brand at the time. Back then, I wasn't making as much as I do now, so I was like, 'Man, who would spend that much money on this shoe?' Couldn't even fathom paying full price for that thing. But there is so much technology and so forth that goes into it that you can just see how there is all that value."
Andrew Nyssen, designer of the upper of the original New Balance 2002
To design a $250 sneaker for New Balance, the model should be built on performance and quality, because that's what the brand has focused on since its founding in 1906. Fittingly, it's the 1906 sneaker that gave the 2002 many of those qualities.
The handcrafted ‘Made In USA’ running shoe featured high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology for its time. The upper was constructed from a combination of premium suede, leather, and mesh for durability and breathability. The midsole contained both N-ERGY cushioning and a full-length ABZORB SBS system, with provided advanced shock absorption. Lastly, the outsole provided arch support with a Stability Web TPU shank.
The sneaker caught the attention of some of the brand's biggest fans. Ronnie Fieg , who would go on to found Kith a year later in 2011, received a pair and raved about it in a 2010 blog post:
"New Balance sent me these crazy Made In The USA 2002′s and they are a perfect 10. The colour is RF grey so you already know I put them on my feet today. The midsole is stacked with a better suspension system than most of your cars. For $250 these are one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever rocked with."
The 2002r
Thanks to long-time New Balance Japan employee and product line manager Tetsuya Shono, the 2002 was redesigned to become the 2002r in 2020. In a significant change, the model now pared the shoe’s upper with the sole of the NB860v2.
The upper was still constructed from high-quality materials including mesh and suede, while the midsole got an update, featuring ABZORB cushioning with N-ERGY gel pods in the heel. The overall shoe was also made more comfortable for casual wear, rather than performance running, opening it to a new market.
The 2002r quickly rose in popularity, in part due to collaborations with former Versace designer Salehe Bembury, amongst others. The Salehe Bembury x New Balance 2002r 'Water Be The Guide' was released in June 2021.
In 2022, Korean-brand Thisisneverthat gave the model a solid grey makeover, adding a cracked leather look to the padded collar for a unique touch.
Joe Freshgoods also put his own spin on the NB2002r in 2022, as part of his ‘Conversations Amongst Us’ collection. The silhouette was given a worn-out, tough look, in shaded of white, yellow and orange.
Another collaboration that made a splash with the 2002r was the pair from Taiwan's Invincible, who made the shoe much more subtle. The shoe's grey motif was retained, but the branding on the tongue was not adjusted and one side was left blank. Additionally, text was added to the toe cap.
Invincible's collaboration with the 2002r was extremely limited and only released in Asia, which has resulted in the shoe having a solid resale value.
Other notable collaborations include BAPE, who released two colorways on the model, the ‘Grey’ and ‘Black’. The shoes included iconic elements from the streetwear brand, such as a shark teeth motif and BAPE’s well-known camouflage pattern.
Danish fashion house GANNI, LA-based artist Bryant Giles, J. Crew, The Basement, JJJJound, and sneaker boutique Up There also helped the NB2002r gain its popularity in the 2020’s with their collaborations on the model.
Today, the New Balance 2002r is more popular than ever, and not just because of the rising dad sneaker trend. Buyers are also more willing to accept the price than before. €250 is still a lot of money these days, but some are willing to spend that much for quality.
New Balance 2002r: Answering Your Questions
When did the New Balance 2002r come onto the market?
The New Balance 2002r came onto the market in 2010. The sneaker was derived from its predecessor, the New Balance 2002. In 2010, the silhouette was supplemented with an 'R' and reissued. The New Balance 2002r started as a luxury sneaker and is still the brand's most expensive model.
Are New Balance 2002r true to size?
The New Balance 2002r is true-to-size. Sometimes the sneaker fits a little tighter, but you don't need to go half or a whole size larger. After a day of wear, the New Balance 2002r fits your feet perfectly.
What materials is the New Balance 2002r made of?
The New Balance 2002r are usually made of high-quality suede/mesh uppers and almost always come with a modern retro aesthetic.
What technology does the New Balance 2002r feature?
The New Balance 2002r is equipped with an ABZORB midsole and additional ABZORB SBS heel cushioning. The ABZORB technology absorbs shock forces and offers more heel stability and comfort. In addition, the outsole is equipped with N-ENERGY technology, which also provides cushioning.
You will also find the Stability Web outsole technology in the New Balance 2002r, which provides superior arch support.
Are New Balance 2002r waterproof?
A standard NB2002r is not waterproof. Its suede and mesh uppers are designed for breathability, not to repel water. However there are some versions that are waterproof, such as the New Balance 2002r GORE-TEX.
Can you run in NB2002r?
While the 2002 was originally designed as a running shoe, the 2002r is more lifestyle-focused. It's built for comfort and casual wear, with a heavier design. The model is suitable for walking or casual workouts, but not high-performance running.
Is the New Balance 2002r comfortable?
Yes, the New Balance 2002r is super comfortable. The reason for this is the N-Energy midsole, which is part of every New Balance 2002r. After a short break-in, you can wear the sneaker comfortably all day long.
How do you clean New Balance 2002r?
A New Balance 2002r is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, remove the laces, then use a toothbrush to remove obvious dirt from the surface. Mix a mild detergent with some water, and use a sponge or cloth to gently scrub harder stains, or for suede, use a suede brush (water can damage suede). Use a damp cloth to wipe off the residue, then let them air-dry.
For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.
Laces can be cleaned with a mild detergent and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.
How much does New Balance 2002r cost?
The New Balance 2002r normally costs between €120 and €200, depending on the colorway and if it's part of a collaboration.
Where can I buy New Balance 2002r?
Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the New Balance 2002r at different retailers and at different prices. Our release calendar also keeps you up to date on NB2002r restocks and new releases!
Popular NB2002r Colorways
New Balance have released many successful colorways on the NB2002r, and these are some of the most popular and all-time favourites.
New Balance 2002r Protection Pack
The Protection Pack, which was released in July 2021, was a celebrated selection of colorways on the model. It came in Rain Cloud, Phantom, and Sea Salt, whose uppers had a deconstructed look made from torn layers of suede. The foam padding in the tongue was also exposed to add to the look.
More colorways of the Protection Pack were also released in March 2023, including the ‘Black Grey’, ‘Navy Grey’, and ‘Driftwood’.
Shortly afterwards, the Protection Pack received a ripstop update, releasing in the colorways ‘Olive’, ‘Sail’, ‘Tan’ and ‘Navy’.
New Balance 2002r Cordura Pack
In 2024 New Balance released the 2002r Cordura Pack. The model used sturdy Cordura canvas and chunky suede on the upper specifically for the colder and wetter autumn weather.
Three colorways were dropped, the ‘Dark Camo’, ‘Phantom’, and ‘Dark Arctic Grey’.
New Balance 2002r Higher Learning Pack
Four colorways were released in the NB2002r Higher Learning Pack, which were made from a mesh and suede combination and features rich, varsity-inspired colorways.
The ‘Red Wine’, ‘Forest Green’, ‘Deep Ocean’ and ‘Black Fig’ were the colourful additions to the line-up.
New Balance 2002R Lunar New Year 'Grey' l M2002RLN
The 2023 Lunar New Year collection is inspired by the Year of the Rabbit.
This special edition of the Lunar New Year comes in light grey tones and stands out for its high-quality look. The upper is made of mesh and features several leather overlays.
New Balance 2002R ‘Dark Grape’ l M2002RCD
The ‘Dark Grape’ or 'Truffle' showcases a rich plum purple hue, with earthy brown accents on the ‘N’ logo and elsewhere.
Silver reflecting details appear on the toecap and heel. The typical N-ERGY, ABZORB and ACTEVA LITE technology in the creamy white midsole and heel provide cushioning and comfort, while the black rubber outsole rounds off the look.
New Balance 2002r Gore-Tex ‘Light Grey’ l M2002RXB
The NB 2002R Gore-Tex 'Light Grey' has a mesh base with overlays of the water-resistant Gore-Tex material, which have been coloured grey and have a slightly distressed look. On the toebox and heel there are also complementary blue panels.
The toe and heel feature stitching with Gore-Tex branding. The pair is completed with a special black outsole with a 'Worn Out' look, which matches nicely with the faded fabric on the upper.
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