Cleats 101: New Balance Steps Up Their Cleat Game With Innovation

While many cleated brands differentiate their styles with colors and patterns, New Balance has stepped up their cleat game with some new innovation with the new COMPv1 baseball cleat. Without losing the traction from metal spikes, the COMPv1 was designed to be lightweight, providing relief from cleat pressure while allowing players to maintain traction and ground grip.

Nike has led the tpu molded cleat trend with their MCS models. Mizuno followed with the 9 Spike Blaze and other brands adapted to the trend as more players desired tpu molded cleats. Playing 162 games a year plus practice and off season training, wearing metal spikes on a daily basis places a strain on a player's feet.

The New Balance COMPv1 is touted as a lightweight model for comfort and performance. The outsole features a molded cleat design, produced with glass fiber studs that helps players feel like they are playing with metal cleats with added comfort. The upper has a light weight synthetic material with no sew construction, mesh cut outs, and a bootie insert that will keep you comfortable with a custom fit.

The COMPv1 is also great for artificial fields that are popping up across the country. Many schools are transitioning to turf and rubber fields to save on maintenance and require players to wear non metal spikes. But whether your playing at the high school, college, or pro level, the COMPv1 is the ideal cleat that will keep you comfortable all season long. The $139 price tag is a bit high compared to other TPU cleats but this model screams innovation. The glass fiber reinforced studs, RevLite midsole, Fantom Fit Upper, Bootie Sock Liner, and No Sew Construction has all the details that are well worth the price. This New Balance cleat is innovation at it's finest and we look forward to keeping our eyes on this cleat throughout the season. 

Images Courtesy By Eastbay.