New Balance Add the Cleanest "White Gum" 2002R to Their Protection Pack

After the first New Balance Protection Pack dropped in August 2021, the styles shortly became the stuff of sneaker legend. The pack took the Boston-based brand’s 2002R running silhouette (which had been archived until that year) and gave it a helping of extra edge with rough-cut suede overlays for a more deconstructed vibe. Now, New Balance are set to revisit the pack, with a few new colourways, including “Pink” and “Purple” variations, set to hit the shelves this year. This newest pair however, the New Balance Protection Pack 2002R “White Gum” revisits one of the aspects that made the original pack so popular, so let’s take a closer look.

Taking clear inspiration from the earlier “Sea Salt” version, the “White Gum” 2002R Protection Pack offers up a pretty blank construction of canvas and textured suede. The “Sea Salt” version became a firm favourite of sneaker customisers, which seemed to inspire some of the colourways in the new pack, and we have no doubt that the “White Gum” 2002R will meet the same fate. If customisation isn’t your thing though, then that’s no problem – as the “White Gum” NB Protection Pack pair are clean enough to stand out as they are.

The “White Gum” Protection Pack 2002R sees the shoe’s upper take on shades of white and off-white, the former taking over the jagged overlayed pigskin suede, and the latter dressing the canvas panels on the toebox and around the ankle. The 2002R’s usual branding details remain – New Balance’s 'N' logo sits proudly on the sidewall in raised suede, whilst debossed 2002R branding can be spotted on the ankle. Creamy off-white laces and liners complete the upper, and a similar creamy hue takes over the midsole. The “White Gum” Protection Pack pair come finished with a gum outsole to round the colourway off perfectly.

We’re all for colourful kicks at TSS, but we have to say that a super-clean pair of sneakers like these will always have our attention. Right now, we’re still waiting on a release date for the “White Gum” New Balance 2002R Protection Pack, but it’s fair to assume that they’ll drop alongside the rest of the pack within the next few months. Until then, be sure to hit the links to set your release reminder for your best chance of copping when they drop!

Up next, the New Balance 550 is getting a "Panda" makeover.