New Balance 2002R GORE-TEX “Olive/Black” M2002RXU

At this stage, it seems fair to say that the New Balance 2002R has receded as a true “hype” model. Its catalog peer in New Balance 1906R has instead taken that mantle, but obviously nothing about the actual shoe has changed. That is to say, for everyday wear and all-around comfort, the silhouette remains one of the best lifestyle propositions. Changing seasons means that its typical mesh runner build will become a nonstarter in short order, and right on cue, Boston designers have a response at the ready.

Already tipped off with an all-black colorway, the 2002R trades its traditional suede & mesh composition for nubuck and GORE-TEX, either clearly intended to make these a year-round proposition. In accordance with that, the palette gets fully naturalistic, draped in earthy notes of army green, black and off-white in select notes on the sole. On top of the seasonal overhaul, the palette makes for the biggest piece of intrigue, utilizing a novel color-blocking scheme that almost brings a shadowed look to the panels of the 2002R.

Naturally, the New Balance 2002R is queued up for release as a part of New Balance’s FW24 slate. Expect a premium $180 price tag given the new materials at play.

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.