Get an up-close look at the new gold cleat of Bryce Harper
While Bryce Harper works to make baseball fun again—as a certain recent fashion choice of his put it—he will be doing so in his first-ever signature cleat from Under Armour.
The Washington Nationals’ rightfielder and reigning National League MVP debuted the Harper One cleat during his team’s home opener on April 7, a cleat that the 23-year-old helped design in both performance and style. The launch style of the Harper One came in black and metallic gold, the first colorway of the cleat available to consumers on July 15.
The gold is meant to signify Harper’s National League Most Valuable Player award. Additional personal touches on the Harper One include the a Las Vegas skyline image on the forefoot, a nod to Harper’s hometown; a Harper logo and his signature on the top of the tongue; and a “220” inscription on the inside of the tongue that signifies the phrase “second to none,” a saying Harper has worn on a bracelet his father, Ron, gave him when he was young.
Courtesy of Under Armour
From a performance point of view, the Baltimore-based company says the Harper One was meant to fit like a sneaker by using a one-piece woven upper with an internal fit sleeve. A stability strap helps with support while Under Armour’s Charged Cushioning—the same technology used in the Curry Two signature basketball sneaker for star Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry—provides the comfort. The nine-spike TPU plate was designed for traction and mobility, Under Armour says.
Expect more colorway options from Under Armour as the season rolls forward, giving plenty of choice for Harper in his quest for fun.
Tim Newcomb covers sports aesthetics—from stadiums to sneakers—and training for SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.
