Shohei Ohtani’s New Balance Signature Cleats Launch July 15th

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.

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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.

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