New Balance re-releases the once-exclusive Japanese edition of the Made in the USA U1300 every five years. Steeped in lore from its original 1984 release that carried a $130 price tag (a number so high that the original advertisement headline for the shoe was "Mortgage the House"), the ultra-premium model is painstakingly made by 36 craftsmen in Maine in a very low quantity. The success of the previous iterations ensures that the 1300JP will continue its legacy, and if you miss this chance to grab one, there won't be any more until we embark on a new decade in 2030.
Available online.
