# New Balance 2002R QC: the N logo, suede and mesh, and the midsole details worth checking **URL:** \ **Category:** QC & Legit Check\ **Tags:** qc\ **Created:** [February 17, 2018, 10:33am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412 "2018-02-17T10:33:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stubbornshoebox](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/stubbornshoebox/32/297_2.png) [@stubbornshoebox](https://superreps.net/u/stubbornshoebox)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 10:33am UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/1 "2018-02-17T10:33:58Z")
There’s a [9060 QC thread](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-9060-qc-what-the-photos-show/346) (in German) but nothing on the 2002R yet, so here’s a starting point. A mini table of where to look and what a photo can tell you: | Area | What to check | Photo enough? | | --- | --- | --- | | N logo | shape, thickness, stitching | yes | | Suede and mesh | nap, colour, layer edges | mostly | | Heel | heel piece shape, tab, embroidery | yes | | Midsole | shape, printed details, colour | yes | | Comfort | cushioning feel | no | The retail product photos of the exact colourway are the reference for every row. Which row would you start with? [[PHOTO: New Balance 2002R lateral side, full shoe in frame, N logo, suede overlays, mesh and midsole visible]] Related: [Air Max 90 QC](https://superreps.net/t/air-max-90-qc-air-bubble-mudguard-heel-logo/413), [Air Force 1 Low QC](https://superreps.net/t/air-force-1-low-qc-toe-box-perforations-swoosh-midsole-stitching/421) _Editorial summary, not independently verified._ ---
**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/303_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 12:36pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/2 "2018-02-17T12:36:21Z")
Starting with the N, because it’s the one thing I’d actually recognise! Rookie question though: what does a “bad N” even look like? Too fat? Wrong angle? ---
**Author:** ![sole\_sleuth](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/sole_sleuth/32/276_2.png) [@sole\_sleuth](https://superreps.net/u/sole_sleuth)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/3 "2018-02-17T12:24:35Z")
Shape: compare the N’s proportions with the retail photo of the same colourway. Too thick a diagonal, or uneven ends, is noticeable. Materials: check whether the N is the same material and finish as retail (some colourways use leather or suede, others a different finish). Stitching: even stitch length around the N edge, no wandering where it meets the midsole. Severity: noticeable if uneven over a long stretch, minor if it’s one stitch. Tags: tongue label straight, text crisp. Minor if slightly off-centre. Verdict: the N is a good first check, but only against the exact colourway. ---
**Author:** ![kicksgazer](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/kicksgazer/32/296_2.png) [@kicksgazer](https://superreps.net/u/kicksgazer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/4 "2018-02-17T13:33:38Z")
Score for “how much can a photo tell you about the suede”: 6/10. Reasons: - Colour shifts a lot with lighting, so compare under daylight against retail, not against other QC photos. - Nap direction and texture show in a close photo at an angle, less so straight on. - Layer edges: some 2002R colourways, like the “Protection Pack” ones, use deliberately raw, frayed-looking suede edges. Calling those “flaws” is a mistake if the retail version has them. Compared with the retail reference, are the frayed edges on the right panels, though? That’s the question to ask. ---
**Author:** ![toecap\_fox](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/toecap_fox/32/315_2.png) [@toecap\_fox](https://superreps.net/u/toecap_fox)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/5 "2018-02-17T14:11:02Z")
TL;DR: the toe box shape is easy to overlook on a runner. Check the toe from the side: the height and the slope towards the tip, compared with the retail side view. A toe that sits too high or too flat changes the whole silhouette, more than any logo. Newcomers, ask if you’re unsure what to compare. [[PHOTO: Side profile of the toe box and the forefoot of a 2002R, shoe on a flat surface at eye level]] ---
**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/303_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/6 "2018-02-17T14:39:35Z")
Okay, and the midsole? There’s printing and little windows and I have no idea which bits matter. ---
**Author:** ![stubbornshoebox](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/stubbornshoebox/32/297_2.png) [@stubbornshoebox](https://superreps.net/u/stubbornshoebox)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:15pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/7 "2018-02-17T14:15:52Z")
Credit to sole\_sleuth for the template, I’ll reuse it in table form: | Midsole point | Check | | --- | --- | | Shape | the wave and the heel area match the retail side view | | Printed details | text crisp, same position as on retail | | Colour | tone compared in daylight against retail; off-white and aged-look tones vary by colourway | | Heel piece | shape and finish match retail | For how a similar chunky runner is checked, see the [Gel-Kayano 14 and Gel-1130 QC thread](https://superreps.net/t/gel-kayano-14-gel-1130-qc-overlays-mesh-gel-window-silver/358). What else would you add? ---
**Author:** ![insole\_haven](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/insole_haven/32/268_2.png) [@insole\_haven](https://superreps.net/u/insole_haven)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/8 "2018-02-17T15:29:17Z")
TL;DR: the 2002R can be checked well from photos, as long as every comparison is against the retail photos of the exact colourway. Like reading a building’s façade: the shape first, the ornaments after. - **Shape** : toe box height and slope from the side; overall silhouette. - **N logo** : proportions, material and stitching compared with the same colourway. - **Suede and mesh** : colour in daylight, nap at an angle, and raw edges only judged against retail (some colourways have them on purpose). - **Heel and midsole** : heel piece, printed details and colour tone against the retail side view. - **Tongue label** : straight and crisp; minor if slightly off. - **Comfort** : not something any photo shows. For how to read QC photos in general, the [first-time QC guide](https://superreps.net/t/first-time-reading-sneaker-qc-photos-gl-rl/189) covers the basics. Short recap: retail photos of the exact colourway, then shape, then details. _Editorial summary, not independently verified._ ---
**Author:** ![freshlaces](https://superreps.net/user_avatar/superreps.net/freshlaces/32/303_2.png) [@freshlaces](https://superreps.net/u/freshlaces)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://superreps.net/t/new-balance-2002r-qc-the-n-logo-suede-and-mesh-and-the-midsole-details-worth-checking/412/9 "2018-02-17T15:26:20Z")
Got it: same colourway or it doesn’t count, shape before logos, and the frayed suede can be on purpose. Saving this!