After the Boston-based sportswear brand New Balance already entered into great collaborations with bigwigs from the luxury streetwear scene such as Versace's Salehe Bembury in recent months, we now have the first information on a new collabo that will blow your mind! The Japanese luxury streetwear brand "A Bathing Ape" (BAPE for short) delivers a brand new collabo with the BAPE x New Balance 2002R that has it all!
The New Balance 2002R
In this upcoming collaboration with BAPE, the two brands give us two colorways on a silhouette that hasn't enjoyed much attention in the past. The New Balance 2002R is a sneaker silhouette that first hit the global market in 2010. At the time, it could not exactly be called a box office hit. At that time, the running sneaker was marketed by NB itself as "super-premium" and with a corresponding price, at which many then preferred to opt for a different model.
But that changed in 2020! Because last year the NB 2002R celebrated its re-launch and came into the stores with a price that is now much more affordable. But the quality of the shoes has not diminished! Currently, you can buy the stylish running shoe silhouette for a well-invested €130.
In addition, the 2002R has been tweaked a little. Since the re-launch, the sneakers have a different midsole than originally. Now the silhouette features a revised midsole from the New Balance 860v2 and has been relaunched!
Both BAPE x New Balance 2002R in Detail
At first glance, every BAPE fan's mouth waters when they see the iconic design elements that the famous streetwear brand is serving up here! Starting with the first colorway, we get a sneaker with a black upper and white midsole that features BAPE's significant camouflage pattern on the base.
On the heel, the kicks have also been given another of BAPE's signature elements. There you can find the popular 'shark teeth motif'! As the name suggests, the sneakers have a print on the heel that symbolises shark teeth. For decades, the print has been one of BAPE's most important and distinctive design elements. And as an added surprise, the print here even comes with reflective material!
The second pair of the BAPE x New Balance 2002R Collab comes in the same design as the first pair. Just in a different colorway. The highlight here is probably the iconic grey tone from New Balance on the upper. Combined with the grey camo print on the base, this is a more subtle colourway.
Another fine detail
As you can see in the image above, the sneakers have been given an additional, small detail in the toe area. On the leather overlay below the laces, there is a print of a star with a jagged tail. A common feature for connoisseurs, an inexplicable motif for others. But the print is also one of the most important features of the Japanese brand.
Just like the 'N' that can be found on almost all New Balance silhouettes, it is this star that adorns BAPE's sneakers on the side panels. The BAPE Sta model with its BAPE Sta logo has been popular all over the world for ages.
We keep you up to date
Unfortunately, there is no exact release date for the shoes yet. But you can be sure that they will drop this year! Stay tuned! As soon as there is new information and/or more pictures, we will of course inform you immediately! Follow our account on Instagram to make sure you don't miss anything!
Get our free app
Do you already know the Sneakerjagers app? You'll find everything you need in one app. Never miss a release or restock of your favourite sneakers again. No registration required. Give it a try! 🙂
