Believe it or not, when New Balance dropped its 1300 in 1985, it was billed as “the best running shoe ever made.” Its role as a premium sneaker aside, the 1300s became rabidly popular in Japan, leading to the exclusive 1300JP variant that pops up every 5 years like clockwork.
Needless to say, it’s easy to forget the 1300 was ever a running shoe to begin with. Joining the likes of Ronnie Fieg and Aimé Leon Dore, Tokyo-based streetwear icon WTAPS has put their own spin on the 1300, and it’s arguably never looked better.
A Label That Earns Its Stripes
WTAPS isn’t a brand that stumbled into sneaker culture. Founded by Tetsu “Tet” Nishiyama in the mid-’90s, the Tokyo label grew out of the Ura-Harajuku scene alongside heavyweights like NEIGHBORHOOD and UNDERCOVER. The name itself — pronounced “double taps” — is a military shooting term, which tells you everything about where Nishiyama’s head is at. His brand is built on studied pattern work, authentic military-coded fabrics, and a philosophy of placing things “where they should be.”
Their New Balance partnership only officially kicked off in 2020 with a now-iconic army-green 992, but it’s been hitting its stride ever since. The 1300 is arguably the most deserving silhouette they’ve tackled yet.
All Black Everything (For the Most Part)
WTAPS’ previous New Balance collabs have leaned heavily into military gray and olive drab — classic, expected, and consistently excellent. The 1300 breaks that pattern entirely. The execution here is inspired by the 1300CL, a slightly sleeker offshoot of the original, and it gets a tonal blackout treatment that’s more stealthy than combat-inspired. A matte-finish premium leather overlay sits on top of a breathable mesh base, giving the upper a unique texture. The “N” logo features reflective detailing to shake things up.
The one moment of contrast is the white leather heel tab stamped with the WTAPS wordmark. The insoles are also co-branded. Underfoot, the ENCAP midsole is blacked out to match the upper, sitting above a rubber tread outsole that stays faithful to the original 1300’s pattern but with noticeably deeper lugs.
As with all Made in USA New Balance footwear, domestic materials account for at least 70% of the build, manufactured across New Balance’s five New England factories.
Spec Sheet
Model: WTAPS x New Balance Made in USA 1300 (U1300WT)
Colorway: Black/White-Black Cement
Upper: Matte-finish premium leather overlays over mesh
Midsole: ENCAP (lightweight foam with polyurethane rim), blacked out
Outsole: Rubber tread pattern, heritage-inspired with deeper lugs
Details: Reflective “N” branding, white WTAPS heel tab, co-branded insoles, woven tonal tongue label, custom packaging
Made in: USA (70%+ domestic materials)
Price: $295
Edition Size: Limited (1 per order, no returns)
Pricing & Availability
The WTAPS x New Balance Made in USA 1300 drops February 20 at 10:00 AM ET via New Balance’s website, priced at $295. It’s limited to one pair per order with no returns, so size up accordingly if you’re on the fence between sizes.
Recap
WTAPS x New Balance Made in USA 1300
Tokyo-based WTAPS just dropped their take on the legendary New Balance 1300 — a full blackout treatment on one of NB’s most storied silhouettes, made in the USA with premium leather and the brand’s signature military precision.
