WTAPS x New Balance Release Made in USA 1300 Black Cement

WTAPS has applied its military-minded minimalism to New Balance’s 1300, delivering a near-full blackout Made in USA edition that reads equal parts refined leatherwork and field-ready utility. The collaboration, catalogued as the WTAPS x New Balance Made in USA 1300 (style code U1300WT), lands February 20, 2026 and is being positioned as a limited edition with strict purchase controls.

Visually the shoe is dominated by matte-finish premium leather overlays layered over tonal mesh panels; Endclothing’s product copy describes “soft leather on the upper” with “tight knitted mesh” across the toebox and side box windows. The monochrome treatment is interrupted only by a white leather heel tab stamped with the WTAPS wordmark and by reflective treatment on the side “N,” the latter described by Endclothing as a “glowing reflective coating.” Hiconsumption and JustFreshKicks also note co-branded insoles, a woven tonal tongue label, and custom packaging as part of the release package.

Underfoot, performance elements are unmistakable. Hiconsumption’s spec sheet lists an ENCAP midsole, “ENCAP (lightweight foam with polyurethane rim), blacked out”, while Hypebeast frames that choice as intentional: “Underfoot, the ENCAP midsole is fully blacked out, maintaining the sleek profile. However, the outsole introduces a more rugged edge with deeper traction, leaning slightly more functional than typical lifestyle iterations. This shift feels intentional, aligning with WTAPS’ military-inspired philosophy.” Outsole notes from Hiconsumption describe a rubber tread with deeper lugs, giving the silhouette a tougher stance than recent lifestyle-first releases.

Manufacturing and pricing are part of the story. Hiconsumption confirms the build is Made in USA and calls out “70%+ domestic materials.” Most outlets list the sneaker at $295 USD, though Endclothing’s live product page shows a retail price of $315. Hiconsumption also pins the online drop time to 10:00 AM ET on February 20 via New Balance’s website and advises buyers on fit, “size up accordingly if you’re on the fence between sizes.”

Retail access will extend beyond New Balance’s site at select stockists. Endclothing lists in-store allocations across Newcastle, Glasgow, London, Manchester, and Milano, and TheDarksideInitiative shows U.S. storefronts in San Francisco and Portland while publishing strict launch policy language: “\\\LIMIT 1 ITEM PER CUSTOMER\\\\\\THIS PRODUCT IS LIMITED EDITION LAUNCH PRODUCT\\\” and “\\\CUSTOMERS WHO PLACE MORE THAN ONE ORDER WILL HAVE ALL OF THEIR ORDERS CANCELLED\\\” along with “\\\THERE ARE NO REFUNDS, NO RETURNS, NO ORDER CANCELLATIONS ON ALL LAUNCH PRODUCT\\\.”

The 1300’s lineage feeds this moment: introduced in 1985 and long lauded as “the best running shoe ever made,” the 1300 found fervent followings in Japan and generated the 1300JP lineage starting in 1995, with periodic reissues that turn each drop into a cultural event. WTAPS’ U1300WT reframes that heritage into a blackout, tactically tuned runner that marries ENCAP cushioning, premium leather, reflective branding, and restrictive launch mechanics, a package designed to read as both collectible and purpose-built on the street.