Prologue: An Admiration for New Balance Sparked by a J.CREW Catalog
My journey with New Balance, or rather, when I truly started paying attention to the brand, dates back to 2014. It was during a trip to Hawaii that I stumbled upon a J.CREW collaboration model. At the time, Todd Snyder was the men’s director for J.CREW, and the aesthetic of his catalogs was simply impeccable. The New Balance sneakers featured within left an indelible mark on me. Of course, today’s story isn’t about J.CREW. This is a report on a long, long quest that finally culminated in acquiring a masterpiece, a symbol of New Balance’s craftsmanship, re-released only once every five years: the New Balance 1300JP.
10Years, Three Attempts: Past Defeats and This Year’s Resolve
Looking back, this is my fourth attempt at securing the U1300JP, a pursuit spanning two decades. In 2015 and again in 2020, I entered the raffles, only to face utter disappointment – not even a nibble. It was a truly disheartening outcome. However, as a sneaker enthusiast, particularly a fan of New Balance’s Made in USA models, giving up on this iconic shoe was simply not an option. “This year will be different!” With that singular focus, I resolved to approach the New Balance 1300JP raffle with unprecedented determination.
The (Strategic?) Multi-Entry Approach: The Sweet Dilemma of ‘What If I Win Them All?’
My strategy this time was to leave no stone unturned. I entered the official New Balance raffle, of course, but also those held by Dover Street Market Ginza (DSMG) and all three United Arrows (UA) banners (United Arrows, Beauty & Youth, and United Arrows & Sons). That made a total of five entries. While I was initially fired up, thinking, “I’m going all in!” a sobering thought soon crossed my mind: “What if I win them all? That’s about 300,000 yen…” It was a classic case of counting chickens before they hatched. Glancing at X (formerly Twitter), I noticed other New Balance fans sharing similar anxieties. It seemed many sneakerheads were in the same boat. At that point, I was completely convinced I had already won. Completely.
The Fateful Release Day: Hope, Reality, and a Glimmer of Light
Then came the release day. I anxiously awaited a winner’s email from the morning, but as time ticked by, no good news arrived. “Hmm, this feels familiar…” It seemed my luck with the official NB and DSMG raffles hadn’t changed. Meanwhile, the status for the United Arrows New Balance raffle remained “Awaiting Draw.” Incidentally, participation in the UA raffle requires UA membership. Fortunately, I consider myself a reasonably loyal UA customer (or so I like to think). “Please, let this be the one!” I pinned my last hopes on the three UA entries.
The Brutal Reality of General Release: A Dream Vanished in 60 Seconds
As I was mulling this over, the time for the general release on the New Balance official website arrived. Clinging to a sliver of hope, I navigated to the product page and, with lightning speed, added it to my cart! Or so I thought. Mere seconds later, the dreaded “Out of Stock” message appeared. Sold out in less than a minute. “How is that even possible? Is it bots?” I genuinely started to suspect some sort of system anomaly. The feeling of being utterly lost for what to do next was palpable. My spirit was nearly broken.
United Arrows, The Last Bastion: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
“No, wait, there’s still the UA raffle!” I composed myself and checked my UA account page. The status was still “Awaiting Draw.” However, around 1 PM, one of the three entries changed to “Not Selected.” “Ah, so it’s not to be…” A wave of disappointment washed over me. I got through a work meeting, my mind elsewhere. A few hours later, around 3 PM, I nervously checked the page again. To my astonishment, one of the statuses had changed to “Order Confirmed”! “Wait? Order Confirmed? Not ‘Selected for Purchase’?” Having never won a UA raffle before, I was momentarily confused by this wording, but there was no mistaking it… I had won!
Trembling with joy, I noticed the other entry was still “Awaiting Draw.” Then, around 6 PM, that final hope also turned to “Not Selected.” Interestingly, the payment confirmation email for the pair I won didn’t arrive until after I received this second rejection notice. It seems my card was pre-authorized, and the charge for the winning pair (via Amazon Pay) only went through after the authorization for the unsuccessful entry was canceled. That time lag was truly nerve-wracking. “Seriously, UA, you’re killing me…” I muttered under my breath.
Finally in My Hands: The Overwhelming Presence of the U1300JP
A few days later, the long-awaited New Balance U1300JP arrived at my doorstep. The moment I opened the box, an involuntary “Oh…” escaped my lips. I had seen them in person at T-house New Balance before and thought, “These are incredibly cool,” but holding them as my own was a different level of satisfaction. That distinctive “Steel Blue” colorway, the premium suede and mesh combination, and above all, the meticulous craftsmanship that screams Made in USA. It was, without a doubt, a deeply satisfying acquisition. A lifelong dream, finally realized. This is my brief New Balance 1300JP review: pure perfection.
Come to think of it, the last New Balance pair I acquired was the U991V2 collaboration with the cutting-edge Korean brand thisisneverthat. That was a fantastic pair too, but this 1300JP possesses a different, special kind of aura.
Perseverance and Intel: Lessons from the U1300JP Raffle and Tips for Future Attempts
Through this U1300JP当選体験談 (U1300JP Winner’s Story), one thing became crystal clear: winning raffles for popular sneakers is never easy. And precisely because of that, entering as many raffles as possible is crucial. Regarding the United Arrows New Balance raffle specifically, it’s worth noting that individual raffles are often held not just by UA mainline, but also by its other banners like Beauty & Youth and United Arrows & Sons. You can usually enter once per size for each banner, so don’t miss out on these opportunities. Previously, I only checked the main UA raffle page, but this time, driven by sheer determination, I researched and entered every single one. This might have been one of the keys to my success.
Furthermore, don’t hesitate to enter raffles held by other sneaker boutiques and select shops if you meet the criteria. It’s the “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” mentality. Of course, it’s not just about blindly entering; researching each store’s tendencies and past win rates can also be considered one of the New Balance raffle tips. Information is power in the raffle game. Many sneakerheads were undoubtedly awaiting this raffle moment.
I hope my experience serves as a helpful reference for those preparing to take on the New Balance 1300JP raffle or for any sneakerheads struggling with other popular sneaker draws. If you keep trying and never give up, a path will surely open. I truly wish for all of you to experience the kind of感動 (deep emotion) that this personal New Balance 1300JP review conveys.
Official Website Link: New Balance U1300JP (UNITED ARROWS)