UpThere x New Balance 2002r 'Backyard Legends'
This is probably one of the most unique 2002r to come out in a while, besides the OG Salehe & The Basement 2002r, I really feel like the design crew at UpThere did a fantastic job.
Materials: imo, this shoe shines more in the small details than what you normally see in a Collab 2002r. Imo, the suede used is similar to the suede that was used on the Higher Learning pack but almost has a felt like feel to it tbh. The details are truly what blew me away. This shoe's design looks a 2002r but also is trying to be a 990v3. From the waffle tongue with the AUS logo, to the purple NB logo on the back, this shoe is probably the most unique 2002r I have seen to date. One of my favorite parts of this sneaker is the mesh used, I love feel of this mesh on foot and hope NB continues to use it in the future.
Comfort/Sizing: the 2002r is one of my favorite models to wear on a daily basis. It's very soft and squishy with some support that makes it an incredibly easy choice when you're going to be out all day. I also want to say that this specific Collab feels very light on foot compared to other 2002r. In terms of sizing, this shoe fits me perfectly in size 8, and my foot measures as in-between size 8 and 8.5.
Overall Opinion: imo, UpThere has some of the most creative & unique collabs. With this sneaker, the details are really amazing once you see them in hand. I tried my best to display the unique characteristics in my photos. The fact that this reminds me of a 990v3, but is a 2002r is just a glimpse into the creativity of the design team there. Overall, if you slept on this Collab, I wouldnt sleep much longer, I really don't think there will be another sneaker like it.