New Balance, in collaboration with two-time American League MVP Shohei Ohtani, has officially announced the international sensation’s first signature collection with the brand. The Shohei Ohtani Signature Collection, launched on July 15, showcases the athlete’s dominant dual talents both at the plate and on the mound, featuring a range of on-field performance styles, off-field sports style essentials, and his debut signature cleat, the Ohtani 1.
The collection’s design draws inspiration directly from the game of baseball, with classic neutral tones mixed with Marsh Green reminiscent of the infield dirt, pitcher’s mound, and outfield. This blend of tradition and modern minimalism is evident in the woven jacket, woven pants, and cotton tees. The French Terry pieces feature overlocking stitch lines that mimic the stitching on a baseball, while many items boast double pockets as a nod to Shohei Ohtani‘s unique talent as a two-way player.
Shohei Ohtani, a master craftsman who sweats every detail, carefully crafted each design to replicate the comfort and movement needed for the rigors of pitching and batting. “I have a deep respect for the heritage of baseball and the sport itself, and I love that the collection pays tribute to the traditional old-school style while bringing a new-school twist,” Shohei shares. “Every item can fit an athlete’s wardrobe on and off the field, and collaborating with New Balance to capture that perfect balance was such an exciting moment for me.”
The launch of the Ohtani 1 cleat marks the pinnacle of versatility and high performance. Designed with insight from Shohei himself, the cleat sits closer to the ground to cater to the unique needs of the two-way player. Comfort and durability are ensured through the integration of FuelCell foam with a raised triangle pattern along the toe box, reminiscent of the ceilings in some NPB ballparks in Japan. The premium PU upper adds superior durability for consistency throughout the long season without compromising flex.
Matt Nuzzo, Senior Product Manager for Field of Play at New Balance, explains, “In designing Shohei’s spike, we knew every detail mattered. Comfort, durability, and ground feel were the most important to him, so there are no contours or recesses on the plate to maintain a flat surface underfoot to help prevent mud from caking and to allow the studs to interact with the ground.“
The Ohtani 1 launches in two classic colors, white with gold and black with gold, and will be available in metal cleat and turf styles. Fans in Fort Worth, Texas, can exclusively shop the collection 24 hours in advance of the retail launch at the New Balance MLB All-Star Weekend pop-up event. Additional on-field performance drops for the collection are expected this winter, ensuring that Shohei Ohtani’s signature style continues to make waves both on and off the field.