New Balance x size? “Protection Pack” 2002R: Why These Might Be My Next Sneaker Splurge

Let me just start by saying I’ve got a problem. A serious sneaker problem. My partner threatens to move out every time another shoebox arrives at our doorstep, and honestly, I don’t blame them. The tower of boxes in our spare room has basically become a structural element of our apartment at this point. But guess what? I’m about to make it worse, and I regret nothing.

Have you heard the news? UK retailer size? is teaming up with New Balance for an exclusive “Protection Pack” for the 2002R model, and I’m already figuring out which pair of shoes I can sell to justify buying these.

What’s Coming Our Way

So here’s the deal. This collab is bringing us three colorways that honestly look so good I might need to sit down. There’s an all-silver version that reminds me of those futuristic movies from the early 2000s where everyone wears metallic clothing for some reason. Then there’s a predominantly black pair with grey accents – perfect for those of us who spill coffee on ourselves daily (raising my hand here). And finally, a brown multi-shade option that gives me major earth-toned, hiking-through-autumn-leaves vibes.

The best part? Each pair comes with butter yellow laces. I wasn’t sure about this detail when I first heard it, but after seeing some early pics, that pop of color is exactly what these neutral kicks needed. It’s like adding just the right amount of hot sauce to your breakfast burrito – unexpected but absolutely perfect.

Why I’m Already Obsessed

I’ve been a fan of the “Protection” series since it first dropped. If you’ve never seen them in person, these shoes have this unique rough-edged appearance – almost like someone took sandpaper to parts of the upper in the best possible way. They look worn-in from day one, which means I don’t have to feel bad about actually wearing them.

Last summer, I wore my original Protection Pack 2002Rs to a music festival, and despite standing in mud for three days straight, they still looked fantastic afterward. That’s because they’re designed to look a little rough around the edges! Genius, right?

Where and When You Can Get Them

Now for the slightly annoying part – these will only be available at size? stores and their website. For those of us who don’t live near a physical location, this means setting alarms and praying to the internet gods that the website doesn’t crash during the release.

The expected drop is Spring 2025, which feels like forever away, but it gives me plenty of time to save up. They’ll likely be priced around $160, which isn’t cheap but actually pretty standard for special New Balance collabs these days.

I remember staying up until 3 AM trying to get the original Protection Pack when they first released. My computer froze right at checkout, and I nearly threw it out the window. This time, I’m setting up multiple devices and possibly bribing a friend to help me secure a pair. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Are They Worth It?

Here’s my take after collecting sneakers for way too long: New Balance collabs tend to hold their value better than most other brands these days. The materials are usually top-notch, and the comfort level of the 2002R is no joke.

I walked around New York City for an entire weekend in my current pair, and my feet didn’t hate me afterward. That’s practically a miracle. The cushioning hits that sweet spot between cloud-like softness and actual support.

Plus, these are the kind of sneakers that go with practically everything. Jeans? Yep. Shorts? Absolutely. That weird pair of cargo pants I bought during lockdown that my sister said make me look like a failed military experiment? Somehow, yes, even those.

The Final Word

Will I be setting an alarm to grab these when they drop next spring? Without a doubt. Will I tell my partner how much they cost? Absolutely not. Some secrets are meant to be kept, especially when they involve butter yellow laces and perfectly distressed sneakers.

If you’re on the fence about these, I get it. But as someone who’s been around the sneaker block more times than I care to admit, the New Balance 2002R Protection Pack models have been some of the most versatile and comfortable additions to my collection.

And if you happen to be a size 10 and manage to score an extra pair of the brown ones, you know where to find me. I’ll be the one trying to sneak another shoebox into the apartment without anyone noticing.

Until next time, happy hunting!