New Balance’s impact on the secondary market increased exponentially in 2021. Outside of the usual big three brands that remain within the top five (Nike, Jordan, and adidas), New Balance has risen to the number four spot of most traded brands on StockX, a major achievement seeing that NB didn’t even rank top 10 back in 2018. The brand’s meaningful releases, both GR and collaborative, have made it so popular, with the New Balance 2002R Rain Cloud helping lead NB to the position that it is today.
It’s rare for a general-release sneaker to get the same amount of buzz as a collaboration. GRs are typically made in large volumes and are easily attainable, two qualities that usually don’t make for a top-traded sneaker on the secondary market. But the New Balance 2002R Rain Cloud proved to be an anomaly from the norm, as its general release became one of the most traded sneakers on StockX in 2021. The buzz for the sneaker seemed to even surprise the colorway’s designer, Yue Wu, who didn’t anticipate such a huge amount of positive feedback from the public. “Never imagined that one day people would actually line up for my design,” said Wu in an Instagram post highlighting the large number of people waiting on line in hopes to retrieve a pair of the New Balance 2002R Rain Cloud.
The New Balance 2002R Rain Cloud was only one of three colorways within the Protection Pack. Alongside both Phantom and Sea Salt offerings, the Rain Cloud stood out amongst the other 2002R colorways because of its deconstructed look, a design concept that has grown in popularity since the late designer Virgil Abloh introduced the look with his first Nike collection. Each sneaker in the Protection Pack features a mix of jagged cut suede, nubuck, and leather materials with additional mesh detailing. And despite each colorway from the pack selling out on release day, the Rain Cloud pair garnered the most buzz for its neutral grey colors and aged accents. Make sure to put an appropriate fit together for the New Balance 2002R Rain Cloud, a sneaker with the potential of being a grail in the coming years.
The North Face x Brain Dead 76 Oversized Mountain Chore Coat
Brain Dead is a brand that, similar to these 2002Rs, disrupts the norm of design. Founded by designer Kyle Ng and Ed Davis in 2004, Brain Dead aims to present garments with unusual and distorted prints and designs. For Brain Dead’s first collaboration with The North Face, the two labels worked together to add a different look to the classic, and often minimalist, chore coat. The North Face x Brain Dead 76 Oversized Mountain Chore Coat Navy features Brain Dead-designed patches on the back and sleeve, co-branding on the exterior mesh pockets, and a white corduroy collar. Just like the Rain Clouds, this jacket brings a distorted look to your entire fit.
Hidden NY Crew Socks Aquamarine
Some of streetwear’s favorite brands, Supreme, Nike, and Fear of God, have all dipped their toes into the knitted sock game. But one pair of socks, in particular, has become an unlikely contender, and it isn’t even necessarily a clothing brand, but an Instagram page. Hidden NY socks are one of the latest “it” pieces to hit social media and streetwear, where footwear fashion fans pair their favorite kicks with rolled-up jean cuffs and bold “h” logos on their crew-covered ankles. Not only are the Hidden NY Crew Socks Aquamarine on-trend, but they also match the hits of turquoise that appear on the 2002R’s NERGY midsole.
Supreme Regular Jean Washed Blue
On the topic of pants to cuff, if you’re looking for the right pair of jeans to match these New Balances, this pair from Supreme might be the way to go. New Balance sneakers tend to follow suit with a certain normcore aesthetic. Baggy-washed jeans, once a garment brushed aside for skinny jeans, are central to normcore. Now, thanks to the trend and consumers’ growing interest in comfort over style, baggier jeans are now one of the top looks for both men and women. The Supreme Regular Jeans Washed Blue almost appear to be a bit distressed at first glance. The jeans fit more so like your classic Levi’s 511; straight-legged with a slight taper closer to the waist. They’re a pair of pants that you can wear with any kicks on your most casual days, so no need to just save them for these New Balance Rain Clouds.
BAPE Relaxed Classic College Crewneck Grey
If you want to rock a piece of clothing that’s more subtle than the New Balance 2002R Rain Cloud but will still match, this crewneck from BAPE may be more your speed. The BAPE Relaxed Classic College Crewneck Grey is lined with fleeceback cotton, making it a warm option for those in need of some stylish yet warm pieces. The front of the garment features BAPE’s popular BAPE Head logo sandwiched between A Bathing Ape text in a collegiate font, a classic look seen on many of BAPE’s most notable items. Pairing this sweatshirt alongside the 2002Rs and aforementioned Supreme Regular jeans will give you a calmer look that carries clout.
Supreme Mohair Beanie FW19 Mixed Blue
It’s safe to say that Supreme has mastered the art of the beanie. The skateboard brand has offered beanies in their collections for years, each showing off a variety of designs and materials. This Supreme Mohair beanie from their fall/winter collection shows their continued efforts to expand their headwear offerings. The beanie comes in a mixed blue colorway, showing an ombre look that fades between dark and light blues. Its mohair construction makes it stand out from other beanies as the fuzzy material catches the eye of onlookers. Its mixed blue colors are somewhat reminiscent of a stormy sky, which is interesting considering the sneaker is called “Rain Cloud”.
