If you haven’t noticed, New Balance is in the middle of a major moment right now. The 550 has become the new Dunk, Teddy Santis seems to have the midas touch, and Joe Freshgoods manages to level up the hype with every release.
One of the silhouettes making moves on footwear shelves across the globe is the 2002R. We first saw the 2002R in 2020, an evolution of the original 2002 that dropped way back in 2010. And in just a couple of short years New Balance have released a huge array of great collabs and under-the-radar GR’s that have given the 2002R cult status. And now in 2022, we’re starting to see more and more sneakerheads work the 2002R into the rotation.
So if you’re looking for the best New Balance 2002R, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s go.
New Balance 2002R Bordeaux
Let’s get straight into it with the 2002R Bordeaux, a perfect example of New Balance’s penchant for delivering hot general release colourways. These dropped back in February 2022 as part of a 4-pair suede pack in typical New Balance fashion – no hype, no teasers, just product ready to go. The upper is a mix of breathable mesh and premium suede, delivered in a tonal, deep-red colour palette.
These might just be one of the best New Balance 2002Rs, and the best part? The average sales price on StockX right now is around $230 AUD – just $30 above retail.
New Balance 2002R Protection Pack Vintage Orange
These are straight up fire. The initial Protection Pack (also more officially known as the Refined Future pack) featured 3 2002Rs, one each in tonal white, grey, and black. They were some of New Balance’s hottest pairs of 2021, so of course they had to bring back the pack again in 2022. First cab off the rank is the Vintage Orange 2002R, reminiscent of Salehe Bembury’s own ‘Peace Be The Journey’ 2002R from late 2020.
The Protection Pack silhouette offers a distinct torn pattern on the suede upper, revealing the premium mesh hidden underneath. It creates a beautiful, layered look which adds not only depth but texture to the upper.
If you missed on the initial Protection Pack, or you’re still salty about missing on Salehe’s 2002R, the Vintage Orange is for you.
New Balance 2002R Salehe Bembury Water Be The Guide
Speaking of Salehe, I couldn’t put together a list of the best New Balance 2002Rs and not include one of his, and the Water Be The Guide is my favourite. This dropped in mid 2021, about 6 months after the ‘Peace Be The Journey’ 2002R which really opened up a wider audience for Bembury.
Inspired by aquatic journeys, the New Balance 2002R Salehe Bembury Water Be The Guide features a pale orange mesh upper with hairy cyan suede overlays and dark green velour New Balance logos. A speckled white sole and lime green heel patch adds the finishing touches.
New Balance 2002R BAPE Black
One of the more underappreciated New Balance collabs, but absolutely one of the sickest, the BAPE 2002R in Black is a killer. It features signature BAPE camo hits on the upper, with black overlays and silver N branding touches. Finally, the BAPE shark teeth design on the heel absolutely makes this shoe what it is. The shoe features a cream midsole with silver highlights.
The release was part of a pack titled ‘Apes Together Strong’ back in May 2021.
New Balance 2002R Nightwatch Green
The 2002R Nightwatch Green was also part of the suede pack that dropped in February 2022. The Nightwatch Green colour sold out almost instantly, and it’s not hard to see why. The upper is a beautiful deep green, complemented by an off white midsole and grey New Balance branding. A major fashion brand could have easily collaborated on this colour with New Balance and created major hype, but that’s the beauty of New Balance – if you keep an ear to the ground you can cop great general releases without having to win raffles.
New Balance 2002R thisisneverthat Light Brown
Korean streetwear label thisisneverthat joined forces with New Balance once again to add their touch to the 2002R model. The New Balance 2002R thisisneverthat Light Brown is the second collaboration in both companies history, the first focused on the New Balance 827 silhouette.
The New Balance 2002R Light Brown thisisneverthat arrived in two colourways, brown and white. Each one follows thisneverthat’s minimal design approach while upholding New Balance’s intricate craftsmanship. The uppers feature a greyish brown monotone styling of mesh and leather with black NB branding positioned on the side. An aged black and grey sole gives out a vintage vibe.
New Balance 2002R Light Cream Purple
Another recent drop, the 2002R Light Cream Purple released at the end of April 2022. Sitting on a light cream upper, purple suede overlays match perfectly to the purple heel cushioning. Elsewhere, we see perforated camel coloured overlays on the heel counter and a cream midsole.
This is another 2002R that has a low average sale price on StockX, sitting around $230 AUD.
Looking to cop some New Balance 550s instead? Check out our favourites here.
