After May 29, the New Balance 1300JP Won’t Be Seen until 2030

And just like that, five years have passed since the New Balance 1300 last released. Set to return before summer arrives, the $300, Made in USA, “Slate Blue” style will then go on hiatus until 2030.

Why?

The sneaker has been on a five-year retro cycle since 1995, coinciding with its 10th anniversary. As with most other running footwear from the mid-1980s, the premium NB 1300 wasn’t designed to remain in the market after its initial run—whenever it sold out, it was gone forever. Despite an elevated price tag of $130 (an original ad for the pair read “Mortgage the house"), the initial batch of the Made in USA sneaker sold out when it hit market 40 years ago. The product found a home amongst hardcore athletes looking to try the best athletic equipment money could buy, as well as with an unexpected audience in Japan.

Consumers from and across the Asian archipelago valued the New Balance 1300’s craftsmanship well-beyond its performance advantages. The cutting-edge, full-length ENCAP cushioning and premium nubuck upper came together via American quality control—specifically in Maine—to produce a labor of love that spoke to Japanese enthusiasts enough to not only have the company retro a running model, but also change the Made in USA 1300’s official name to include JP in their honor.

The sneaker is still produced in New England, under close attention from 36 highly-skilled craftspeople through its manufacturing process. During the five-year hiatus, the brand looks at its once-exclusive-to-Japan silhouette to update it if needed. The model’s eighth-ever reissue next month faithfully harkens back to the original style that enamored a niche audience and helped the Boston-based brand’s now-highly successful retro business.

Enjoy detailed shots of the Made in USA 1300JP below. Pairs of the special sneaker will be available globally via select retailers, New Balance Flagship stores, and NewBalance.com on Thursday, May 29. The shoe is priced at $330.

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