New Balance 1300JP

If one were to trace the source of New Balance's boundary-crossing influence between dads from Ohio and "American traditional" Ivy-influenced Japanese fashion, you could argue it's for the ever-so-simple New Balance 1300JP. The quinquennial sneaker from 1985 is the status-quo of dedication and craftsmanship manufactured in Skowhegan, Maine, the Made in the US lightweight trainer is supremely technical mixed with superior cushioning and utilizing Horween® leather for the nubuck upper. Since its release often mistaken as a Japan-exclusive, the JP appendix of the New Balance 1300 dates back to its rockstar-like popularity and Japanese following, not from the fact that it was initially only distributed in the land of the rising sun. Presenting a modern touch to the luxurious retro running shoe, and not by chance once dubbed "the shoe version of a luxury car," the 2020 version features ENCAP technology, domestically sourced materials, and a Vibram® sole. Always on the upscale range of retail, and one of the first running shoes over $100 back in the '80s (which is around the retail price of today's release with inflation taken into account), the 1300 still "offers more" than your regular trainer. The timeless silhouette created through traditional American manufacturing reflects on and embraces tradition, looking towards its DNA more than futuristic what-ifs riddled with extravagant tech. Sure, the 1300 was and is expensive, but premium products cost and last, it's just a question of how we approach things. And while we are at it, to accommodate the return of the New Balance 1300JP, we linked up with 28-year-old Parisian luxury car connoisseur Kevis Manzi who gives us a spin in the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang.

The New Balance 1300JP releases online at sneakersnstuff.com via sign-up and on a first-come-first-serve basis in-store (except SNS Tokyo).