An all-white shoe that's built for all types of water-releated shenanigans might sound counterintuitive. Like, puddles are great for splashing, but keeping things so fresh and so clean? Not so much.

Well, New Balance is challenging that narrative, and with a little help from our good friend GORE-TEX, NB's signature 2002R is now a waterproof wonder.

New Balance's 2002R is about as dad shoe as it gets: Chunky build, mesh paneling, and general retro feel. But add in a waterproof GORE-TEX upper, and the humble dad shoe gets even beefier.

This hearty take on the NB 2002R features an all-white upper, a white outsole and white laces. Crisp, clean, but still tougher than your average. 

The pristine crispness of the sneakers’ all white upper, is ruffled up by rakish distressing throughout the upper that gives the 2002R an edgy, distressed vibe that presents a nice contrast to the inherent simplicity of an all-white sneaker. Duality — but make it durable.

Elsewhere, the sneaker wears NB’s signature ABZORB cushioning that emphasizes comfort, so this shoe is basically hard on the outside and soft on the inside. The best of both worlds, as far as dad shoes are concerned.

Available on the New Balance website for $150, the NB 2002R also comes in an all-black colorway for those who like a duskier approach to their ripped-up dad shoes.

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