Andrew Rizzo Shohei Ohtani became the face of New Balance Baseball as soon as he put pen to paper on an endorsement deal last year, and now we finally have a date for the arrival of his first signature cleat. Come All-Star Weekend 2024, the New Balance Ohtani 1 will see its first public release.
While endorsements are just as common in baseball as any other sport, signature cleats are a different story. Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Fransisco Lindor top a small list of current players with signature footwear, although Shohei’s spikes will likely top them all in terms of discourse and consumer demand. That’s not a knock on those aforementioned athletes and their partners, but a testament to the worldwide fame of the Japanese star.
Putting Shohei’s popularity aside, the Ohtani 1 is made even more appealing by its versatility. The cleats are suited for both pitchers and position players, an absolute must for a rare two-way athlete. Comfort, durability, and ground feel stand out at the three most significant qualities, supported by FuelCell foam and a premium PU upper. Moreover, a raised triangle pattern on toe box evokes the ceilings of several NPB ballparks in Japan, marrying performance-minded design with a thoughtful callback to where Ohtani’s professional career began.
Fans have spotted Ohtani rocking his signature spikes in LA Dodgers colors throughout the season thus far, but the first made-for-market pairs take a team-neutral approach. Separate white/gold and black/gold pairs comprise the rollout collection, reflecting a clear “gold standard” within New Balance and baseball at large. The shoes will also be released in turf-mode alongside a larger collection of co-branded apparel and accessories.
The entire capsule will be available at a pop-up on July 14th during All-Star Week in Arlington before releasing online via New Balance channels the next day. Enjoy official images of the New Balance Ohtani 1 in all upcoming colors/toolings below ahead of the drop.
WHERE TO BUY
New Balance Ohtani 1 Cleats
US 07/15/2024 Monday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Balance US | Standard | Check Site |
| DICK'S | Standard | Check Site |
WHERE TO BUY
New Balance Ohtani 1 Trainer
US 07/15/2024 Monday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Balance US | Standard | Check Site |
WHERE TO BUY
New Balance Ohtani 1 Cleats
US 07/15/2024 Monday
Powered By:
| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Balance US | Standard | Check Site |
