New Balance 2002R

As far as sneakers go, the New Balance 2002R is up there with the best, innovating on the underappreciated silhouette of the original 2002. It’s functional, presentable, comfortable, and it won’t cost you an arm or a leg. At JD Sports Australia, we stock all the latest models in sizes for everyone (men, women, and kids). Browse our selection of colourways to find the runners that suit your personal style.

A Quick History of the New Balance 2002R

New Balance 2002R shoes technically made their first appearance in 2020, but they were, in effect, a re-release of the 2002 running shoes from 2010, albeit with some minor (much-appreciated) alterations to the core design. The biggest change, courtesy of product line manager Tetsuya Shon, was the inclusion of the sole unit seen on the 860v2, which was noticeably lighter and more practical. Visually, the shoe was also less clunky, with a streamlined appearance for greater cohesion from heel to toe.

Aside from the obvious improvements, one substantial reason why the NB 2002R succeeded where its predecessor failed was that it had the backing of designers such as Salehe Bembury (a former member of Versace) and the publicity afforded by several high-profile projects. It also, quite importantly, didn’t have the expensive price tag that came with a shoe marketed toward the luxury types, thereby expanding its reach to a general audience.