New Balance 2002R ‘Protection Pack – Grey’

From afar, you wouldn’t be amiss to think these were a standard pair of New Balance 991 or 992. Doing a double take will reveal, however, that the extra details sprinkled on the upper are what makes this release so distinct. The grey, beige and white split on the midsole is what can initially throw you off, echoing a staple feature on the highly regarded NB 992 series. A tightly woven mesh provides a breathable edge to the shoe, partially swallowed up by the jagged cuts of the overlaying panels. The tongue has also received the deconstructed treatment with its uneven edges sticking out high above the laces. The branding on the midsole and collar region receives a dash of red, whereas the sidewall and bottom eyestay keep things minimal.