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Few can rival the power of a New Balance collaboration right now. From the likes of KITH through to JJJJound and Aimé Leon Dore, the New Balance collaboration roster is one of the strongest in the game. But, while collaborations can definitely raise the profile of a brand, they mean nothing unless the OG models are putting the work in too. It turns out that this is most certainly the case for New Balance, too.

Of course, the New Balance 990 family and the New Balance 550 are getting a lot of love right now, but the New Balance 2002R is not far behind. Fitted with an ABZORB midsole and N-ergy outsole, it’s undoubtedly one of the comfiest options in the NB arsenal and that’s saying something.

But as well as being a comfortable proposition, New Balance just released the model dressed in one of the best general-release colorways we’ve seen thus far. It’s a colorway so retro, so well-thought-out that, were it stitched with a collaboration brand logo to the toe box or heel tab, it’d be one of the hottest drops around.

The colorway relies on the classic interplay between blue and New Balance's signature grey. This duet for the ages always works and offers up a strong, unimposing foundation on which to introduce a chalked, beaten finish. The premium suede uppers contrast with chalked blue underlays, all of which is set with GORE-TEX protection, by the way.

It's a throwback to New Balance's classic colorways; the ones that made the brand what it is today. But, complementing this vintage aesthetic is the utility of a GORE-TEX sneaker just in time for winter.

Shop the New Balance 2002RX below.

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