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Sneakers Release – New Balance 2002R “Blue/Black” & “Orange” Men’s Shoe Launching 10/6

Sneakers Release – New Balance 2002R “Blue/Black” & “Orange” Men’s Shoe Launching 10/6

Sep 29, 2022

The New Balance 2002R “Black/Blue” and “Orange” men’s shoes launch October 6 at Hibbett | City Gear.

New Balance 2002R orange side by side

Over the past few years, New Balance has reemerged onto the scene because of the popularity of its “dad shoes.” Whether you’ve been a fan for many years or are riding the trend, New Balance is here to deliver with a new colorway of one of its most fatherly shoes.

New Balance 2002R blue side by side

The New Balance 2002R is part of the Protection Pack series (also called the Refined Future pack), which was originally released in 2021 and was inspired by the Y2K narrative. This new release, designed by Yue Wu, keeps rolling with that inspiration.

New Balance 2002R orange right

The highlight of this shoe is the two-toned suede upper. A suede overlay covers the tip of the toe, middle and heel. However, it’s not as smooth as you might think — there’s overhang at every seam, creating a choppy, hand-sewn look like the shoe was put together with fabric remnants.

New Balance 2002R blue right

You’ll see a lighter mesh covering the toe box, midfoot and ankle. There are also white structural pieces outlining the toe box, lower ankle and heel.

New Balance 2002R orange heels

There’s the standard New Balance “N” in navy with embroidery outlining on the middle. The tongue lacks branding, with just a sideways oval shape. There’s another choppy leather overlay with crooked edging as well. The back of the tongue and the heel add in a fresh splash of yellow.

New Balance 2002R top blue

Moving to the midsole, you’ll notice it’s gray at the back and white at the front. You’ll see a small bit of N-ERGY branding on the lateral side — this just showcases the cushioning and shock absorption padding inside the shoe. Under it all is a navy outsole with traction patterns.

New Balance 2002R sole

If this shoe is calling to you, it’s best to go full dad in your attire. That means white crew socks, baggy denim jeans (or as a bonus, denim shorts) and a navy polo. You’ll be ready to light the grill and host a neighborhood barbecue. The New Balance 2002R is perfect for those days when you just want to kick back and embrace middle-aged life. Ride the trend while it lasts and grab these kicks in “Black/Blue” and “Orange” in men’s sizes starting October 6, online or at your local Hibbett | City Gear.

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