New Balance 300

About

The New Balance 300, originally introduced as the CT300 in 1979, was one of New Balance's first dedicated tennis trainers, created as tennis surged into mainstream sportswear culture alongside major Grand Slam tournaments. Tennis players Roy Emerson and Virginia Wade were credited with helping develop the original collection, which prioritized fit, comfort, stability, and durability over the outsole-grip focus of rival court shoes of that era. The CT300 followed New Balance's 320 trainer, released in 1976. In 2014, New Balance revived the CT300 as its first heritage court shoe manufactured domestically at its Flimby, UK factory, pairing the classic look with modernized materials and drawing collaborations from Comme des Garcons Homme and United Arrows. The model has since carried on as a lifestyle sneaker under the simplified '300' name, built with a split suede-and-mesh upper, cotton lining, cushioned insole, low-top lace-up silhouette, and rubber outsole. In 2017, New Balance extended the line with special makeups including the nubuck-built Deconstructed Tan (released that May, featuring a REVlite midsole for a lighter, more breathable ride) and the Re-Engineered Knit Pack.