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New Balance‘s 2002R “Protection Pack” has been one of the brand’s biggest hits of the decade, and now the sneaker’s original colorways are set for a comeback.
The New Balance 2002R “Protection Pack” will release again soon in its first three variants: “Rain Cloud,” “Phantom” and “Sea Salt.” The first two editions maintain a greyscale appearance, “Rain Cloud” making use of several shades, while “Sea Salt” is clad predominantly in white. Little color is to be found throughout the trio, but the “Sea Salt” and “Rain Cloud” colorways carry faded blue N-ergy units, and “Sea Salt” also gets a few branding hits in pink and blue.
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2021 marked the debut of the 2002R “Protection Pack,” which was designed by Yue Wu and is officially referred to as the “Refined Future” series. A decayed look defines the sneakers, reminiscent of Daniel Arsham’s artwork, and Wu said the idea was to “encourage people to wear them.
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“It’s not collector’s stuff,” Wu told Complex in a 2021 interview. “It’s just a shoe. You can wear them, and you should wear them. Another thing is, the whole look, the way we executed it, it’s very inspired by the old folks in Boston. I saw a lot of just old ladies and guys just rocking the 993 from the factory store. Just beat up, but still holding together.”
The 2002R, of which the “Protection Pack” is a subset, was revived by New Balance a year earlier in 2020. Its success was hardly guaranteed, though, as the original 2002 that launched in 2010 had difficulty selling because of its lofty $250 price tag. It featured the same full-length N-ergy cushioning as the 1906, and the 2002R swapped in the sole unit from the 860v2, which applies N-ergy only at the heel and helps bring the cost down.
The New Balance 2002R “Protection Pack” in “Rain Cloud,” “Phantom” and “Sea Salt” are queed up for a June 4 release through European retailers Luisaviaroma and Asphaltgold. U.S. stockists have yet to be confirmed but are likely to follow. Pricing is set at $130.
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