LOS ANGELES, CA — Coco Gauff’s latest New Balance collaboration isn’t just another athlete drop — it’s a signal of how brands are rethinking who drives sportswear culture in 2025. While Melbourne Park sizzles in 100°F heat, the real story isn’t just Coco Gauff’s defense—it’s her gear. Just in time for the Australian Open getting underway, New Balance has unveiled Coco Gauff’s Australian Open Kit, making it the first time that fans will be able to purchase a version of Gauff’s custom tournament kit. For this Australian Open, New Balance hasn’t just delivered a colorway; they’ve engineered a high-velocity survival system. In fact, per the brand, Coco’s AO kit is more than just performance wear; it’s a love letter to style, confidence and self-expression. Three distinct looks are the center of this collection:

• On-Court Look: A beautifully perforated stretch tank paired with a pleated skirt with a flirty hem for effortless grace.
• Practice Look: A cropped tee and shorts that balance freedom and focus.
• Walk-On Look: An oversized color-blocked tracksuit that turns pre-match moments into statements.
• Footwear: A fresh CG2 colorway and two new Coco Delray colorways complete the vision.

Let’s dive a little more into the tech behind the CG2 “Armor” and the AO26 apparel collection.

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The Data Deets

• Model: New Balance Coco CG2 (AO26 Edition)
• Style Code: WCHCOCV2-51727
• Midsole: Dual-Density FuelCell + Energy Arc Carbon Plate
• Outsole: Ndurance Hexagonal Tread (Multi-Court)
• Apparel Tech: NB Dry Premium (High-Breathability Mesh)
• Retail: $160 (Shoes) / $65 (Apparel pieces)

The CG2 Midsole Architecture

Photo: New Balance

The New Balance CG2 is a technical outlier in a sport dominated by low-cut speed shoes.

• Energy Arc Tech: This is the core of the shoe. It pairs a sport-specific carbon fiber plate with strategic midsole voids. As Gauff slides across the court, the plate naturally flattens into the void and snaps back, therefore providing a 15% increase in energy return compared to traditional EVA.
• Dual-Density FuelCell: The midsole isn’t uniform either. It uses a plush FuelCell core for landing impact, surrounded by a firmer stability frame to prevent ankle roll during aggressive baseline pivots.
• The “550” DNA: I also have to call out the 550-inspired woven tongue label—a technical nod to her favorite lifestyle silhouette, but reinforced with NDure toe caps for high-wear durability.

The AO26 “Heat-Management” System

• NB Dry Premium: Also included in this collection is the Tournament Novelty Top ($65) and matching skirt ($65), which aren’t just aesthetic choices, but utilize NB Dry Premium, a sweat-activated textile designed to pull moisture away from the skin at 2x the rate of standard performance polyester.
• Australian Palette: The “Hot Marigold” and “Daybreak Periwinkle” colorway is designed for high-visibility under the harsh Melbourne sun, making her movement tracking easier for both fans and broadcast AI.

Release Date and Pricing

The collection is available to shop online in select global markets, at all New Balance Flagship stores (except Oxford Street, London), and at New Balance’s Federation Square pop-up in Melbourne throughout the tournament. Items retail between $65-175 USD.

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.

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