The Basement Serves Up Two Suede-Coated Takes on New Balance’s 2002R

From Salehe Bembury to BAPE and in-line styles like the “Protection Pack,” the New Balance 2002R has been one of the most lauded lifestyle silhouettes of 2021. Now, UK-based outfit The Basement is taking its turn on New Balance‘s onetime performance runner, and they’ve given it a duo of collaborative makeovers, each of which features sharp colorblocking, an alternate material composition and special branded accents.

The first of these two styles is a military-esque olive green, the second a grayscale mix of white, cream and gray tones. Each discards the 2002R’s standard mesh build in favor of a suede construction, with midfoot and forefoot overlays toned a few shades darker than the base for a tonal contrast. Both also use black nubuck on the toe caps, heels and lower midfoot overlays.

Branding is supplied by a special white N logo, only partially stitched to the upper for an interesting pop of loose-hanging texture. The Basement logos are present on tongues and heels alike, and a 2002R tag is pinned under the lateral collar. Both shoes are completed by black N-Ergy gel midsoles and black rubber outsoles.

This set of 2002Rs marks The Basement’s first-ever New Balance collaboration, but the brand is no stranger to co-created footwear: they teamed with Nike for a multi-material Dunk Low in 2017 and an Air Max 90 “London” in 2019. At the time of writing, no official release date or pricing information has been announced. However, both styles will likely drop before the end of 2021.

In other footwear news, Kanye West‘s YEEZY Quantum has been revealed in a new “Onyx” colorway.