Gauff Unveils Affordable "Delray" Tennis Shoe by New Balance, Focusing on Accessibility
🎾 Neon Vibe on the Court: Introducing the Coco Delray from New Balance 🎾
Get ready to step up your tennis game with the latest release from New Balance, designed in collaboration with the exceptional Coco Gauff. The Coco Delray, launching on March 13, is a fresh, stylish, and inclusive addition to New Balance's sportswear arsenal. Inspired by Gauff's hometown, this new kicks a perfect blend of court-ready performance and casual off-court flair.
Evan Zeder, New Balance's global sports marketing director, explains, "The Coco Delray is all about inclusivity. While the CG2 is tailored to Gauff's specific requirements, it might not suit everyone, especially beginners. Coco's motivation has always centered around encouraging more kids to join the world of tennis."
New Balance aims to foster inclusivity and attract a wider range of players with the Coco Delray launch.
Josh Wilder, New Balance's footwear product manager for tennis, underscores the similarities between the Delray and the CG2, yet highlights its unique charm: "The Delray follows the path of the CG2, but offers another way to engage more players on the court."
rusheduck_Fashion_Insider 👤
👉 The Low-Top Revolution: A Shift Toward Versatility 👽
The Delray ditches the mid-top structure of the CG2 in favor of a sleek low-top design. As Josh Wilder points out, "Most players prefer low-top shoes. That was one of our priorities. We made sure that this would be a low-top shoe." The Delray incorporates the same "Ndurance outsole" as the CG2, providing the durability and stability necessary for tennis play, with the bonus of a drag guard for added protection. Instead of the carbon fiber shank in the CG2, the Delray boasts a TPU shank, resulting in a lighter, more flexible, and forgiving shoe.
👉 Crossing the Line Between Sport and Fashion 👠
The Delray draws inspiration from New Balance's 550 heritage basketball sneaker, sharing the same aesthetic. Its low-top design lends versatility, making the Delray suitable for a variety of casual wear settings, such as the gym or coffee shop. The Delray's upper pricing of $110 makes it an attractive option for consumers seeking stylish, yet affordable footwear.
👉 Embracing the Broad Spectrum of Athletes 🤩
The Delray comes in men's and women's sizing, along with wide widths. Wilder explains, "We're focusing on a broad audience with the Delray." With its versatile design, the Delray removes barriers, inviting a wider range of players to join the New Balance community.
👉 Staying Ahead of the Game: The Coco Delray Journey 🌟
The Coco Delray debuted in the same colorway as Gauff's CG2, which she sports at Indian Wells and the Miami Open. New colorways will match her outfits and the CG2 model at each of the majors. Yet, the brand will also unveil a variety of distinctive colorways to cater to diverse tastes. "We'll showcase the Delray in multiple ways to make it more wearable and more inclusive," Wilder indicates.
Straying away from the traditional court aesthetics, the Delray's core white colorway, set for release in a few weeks, boasts a "sea salt" shade instead of black, giving it a more lifestyle feel.
👉 Community at the Heart ❤️
With the Coco Delray, New Balance plans to focus on the community aspect of tennis, utilizing the story of Delray Beach, where Gauff honed her skills as a young athlete. Zeder explains, "Our emphasis will be on community and accessibility. This represents our dedication to the category and our evolution alongside Gauff, the player and person."
Moreover, this initiative provides New Balance with a compelling narrative to interact and engage with the wider tennis community.
The Coco Delray shoe, inspired by Coco Gauff, will be available for both men and women, including wide widths, making it accessible to a larger audience (Embracing the Broad Spectrum of Athletes). In contrast to the carbon fiber shank of the CG2, the Delray features a TPU shank for a lighter, more flexible, and forgiving feel (The Delray boasts a TPU shank). This new tennis shoe will offer a modern, lifestyle-inspired colorway, deviating from traditional court aesthetics (The core white colorway gives it a more lifestyle feel).
