In the last decade, New Balance’s popularity has skyrocketed. Going from a post-ironic dad shoe staple to rivalling Nike and adidas in the mainstream lifestyle space. While models like the 550 and 1906R have had their viral moments, New Balance hasn’t forgotten the most significant models from its decades-spanning history. The 1300JP might be the best example of this, a shoe so good they bring it back every five years.
The 1300 was first introduced in 1984. Like other Made in USA models, it made waves not just for its performance tech, but for its price. At the time, a pair would set you back $130. This broke the $130 figure set by the 990v1 in 1982, and set the 1300 apart as a luxury sneaker. The original ads even cheekily advised potential buyers to “mortgage the house” before copping.
The 1300 follows the trademark design language seen throughout New Balance’s ‘Made in’ lines, presenting performance tech and premium materials in a simple, easy-to-wear look. The model’s iconic ‘Mirage’ colourway features premium neutral green nubuck overlays on a steely, blueish grey mesh base. The shoe’s comfort and stability come from its ENCAP midsole, made with EVA foam within a thick polycarbonate rim. Underneath, the build is finished off with a durable Vibram rubber outsole.
Like many sneakers in the pre-hype era, the 1300 had its production run, and then the brand simply moved on to the next models. That was until it got big in Japan. Japanese collectors have historically been a huge force in maintaining a shoe’s popularity, before the constant rereleases we take for granted today. This was the case with everything from the Nike Dunk to cult classic NB models like the 580 and, of course, the 1300.
New Balance took note of the shoe’s momentum and brought it back for the first time in 1995 as a Japanese exclusive. The 1300 then became the 1300JP and was rereleased in Japan every five years. It wasn’t until 2010 that the shoe’s quinquennial releases went global.
Once again, in 2025, the 1300JP is back. Celebrating the shoe’s legacy with decades of refinements. All the same qualities that were treasured by the Japanese aficionados return. But be warned, so does the high price point, retailing at $330.
The New Balance 1300JP drops worldwide on the 29th of May. If you miss out on the retail release, don’t forget to check for listings on the KLEKT app.
