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The New Balance 2010 revives ABZORB cushioning in a fresh 2025 tech-runner shape that NB fans rate highly, though recurring stiffness complaints make a discount the smarter buy.
New Balance introduced the 2010 in 2025 as a forward-looking lifestyle release rather than an archive revival, leaning on its ABZORB cushioning lineage to evoke the brand's 2000s tech-runner era. Kith helped seed early interest with a collaboration, and the model arrived as a chunky, design-led alternative to the 990 and 2002R in New Balance's lifestyle lineup.
True to size for most buyers. The ABZORB midsole sits high, but the upper is a standard width, so wide feet generally fit without sizing up — one wide-footed owner reported all-day comfort with no length problem. An owner recommends going with your usual 2002R size. If you are between sizes, size down.
Opinions split sharply. Some owners, including wide-footed buyers, call the cushioning excellent for all-day standing and walking. Others find the ankle collar and sole stiff out of the box — one buyer compared the ride to strapping a foot to a plank of wood. Try a pair on before paying a final-sale price, since it is unclear how much the stiffness eases with break-in.
Yes, it styles easily. It is a chunky technical runner that works with cargos, denim, nylon pants and sweats, and it has real momentum right now: Kith has run multiple 2010 collaborations, with WTAPS and others following, and buyers are collecting colorways the way they do 990s. Buy it if you want a technical look that is less common than a 2002R.
Only if a colorway genuinely grabs you. Some owners see it as a step down in materials and tech from the 2002R and 1906R, closer to a budget-minded model, and pairs regularly turn up well below retail. Buyers who waited and bought it cheap are the happiest with the value; otherwise compare prices against the 2002R, 1906R and 9060 first.
The 2010 is the newer, more futuristic design — a deeply segmented ABZORB midsole and busy layered upper next to the cleaner 2002R. They share a size, so use your 2002R fit. But some long-time 2002R owners find the 2010 uses simpler materials and a stiffer ride; one buyer who wore 2002Rs for years found the 2010 noticeably stiffer. Buy the 2010 for the look, the 2002R for broken-in comfort.
Claims in the guide text link directly to these Reddit threads and article sources.
New Balance 1906L review and sizing guide
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