For centuries now, New Balance has been the purveyor of truly stellar sports footwear and apparel. And now, the American-based company is stepping into the world of rugby as it launches new lines of footwear dubbed the Prodigy and Fortress.
Curiously enough, despite the brand’s 120 years of existence, this will be the first time New Balance has created rugby-centric footwear. Making their debut at the 2024 NFL Combine in Detroit, these inaugural cleats have been designed with speedsters and athletes in the trenches in mind.
First up is the agility-focused Prodigy football cleat, which is designed especially for players in the skill position who can convert a mismatch in coverage or a broken route into plays that can change the course of the game in an instant.
Creating this lightweight but breathable frame is nylon, and TPU dual-injected plates are performance-ready for natural and synthetic playing surfaces. This is further reinforced by its multi-layered upper construction, which provides zonal support for stability, security, and comfort so that the players can be at the top of their game.
At the sole of the shoe, the Prodigy features “T”-shaped stud tips that have been carefully designed to provide multi-directional traction, letting the players pivot and turn at a moment’s notice and also allowing them the space to have explosive acceleration to reach their target. Furthermore, its hybrid collar construction, which is half traditional and half sock bootee engineered mesh, allows the ankle extra room for faster and more flexible footwork.
Contrary to this, the Fortress, as the name suggests, was specifically created for the midfielders who are there to stand their ground, as defence is equally important as offence. To help support this ethos, this variation boasts a special cleat configuration that provides more midfoot stability and multi-directional traction, allowing the player to hold their ground more effectively.
This shoe has been created for players who’d like to get off the line and get into the backfield faster. It features an asymmetric heel counter for targeted support and stability, with an emphasis on the natural contour shape of the heel, providing additional protection from any injuries.
