New Balance Is Bringing Back One of Its Most Important Sneakers of the Past Decade

Especially for a company rooted in heritage, New Balance’s run in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable.

The Boston brand has experienced a strong resurgence over the last decade, thanks to renewed interest in its old-school trainers and modern runners, to boot.

That said, few designs deserve more credit for the modern glow up than the 2021 Refined Future collection (more commonly referred to as the “Protection Pack”).

New Balance

Conceived by New Balance in-house designer Yue Wu, the general release garnered widespread admiration for its deconstructed take on the 2002R — a feat made all the more impressive considering it didn’t have the momentum of a collaborative cosign.

Highsnobiety named it the sneaker of the year, while brands from Asics to Salomon responded with their own designs showcasing distressed and raw-edged detailing.

New Balance

While New Balance has followed up on the initial release with a handful of one-offs, the brand will finally revisit the original three-colorway collection half a decade on.

New Balance

Releasing next month, the 2002R will resurface in Rain Cloud, Phantom and Sea Salt — offering three distinct takes that all stay within New Balance’s signature grayscale palette.

New Balance

And though they make look worn and weathered, the shoes collectively boast ample amounts of support and cushioning, thanks to an Abzorb midsole with N-ergy — a shock-absorbing lattice-like pattern on the medial side of the shoe.

New Balance

New Balance

Pricing and availability

Unfortunately, New Balance has yet to confirm its plans to distribute the 2002R Protection Pack in the States.

Nonetheless, the three colorways have already appeared on the brand’s official UK site — where they carry a price tag of 150 British pounds ($200) — with a timer counting down to a June 4 release.

New Balance

New Balance 2002R

• $200 at New Balance

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