The New Balance 2002 was a high-end Made in USA lifestyle shoe originally released in 2010, KITH’s founder Ronnie Fieg compared its whole foot gel midsole to a luxury car’s suspension system. In 2020 Tetsuya Shono, New Balance Japan’s creative director, proposed to swap the original sole with the 860v2’s sole, retaining the N-ergy only in the heel. That’s why the R at the end of New Balance 2002R for the newly updated design, because it’s a “retro”. The sneaker’s success is also thanks to some well-executed collaboration, one of them is certainly the one with former Versace footwear designer Salehe Membury. Released in two different colorways for two different limited editions, the “Peace Be The Journey” and the “Water Be The Guide”, inspired by the two opposite natural elements like desert and waterfalls present in Arizona's Antelope Canyon. Lately he’s been one of the most influential sneakers designers alongside Teddy Santis, Aimé Leon Dore founder also known as the responsible for the re-launch of New Balance 550, now in charge of the New Balance Made in USA creative direction and curating his own New Balance by Teddy Santis collection. Another seasonal highly-demanded drop for the New Balance 2002R is the one part of the “Protection Pack”, previously named “Refined Future”, where the rough-cut suede upper protects the mesh layer below, laying on a N-ergy midsole combined with the well-known ABZORB cushioning system. The aforementioned special releases made the 2002Rs one of the most popular “Dad Shoes”, there will sure be general releases with the iconic 991 “Jobs” gray and more classic colors paying tribute to 2000s running shoes.
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