New Balance Makes Official Debut in the Football Space

Fortress: Strength Meets Versatility

The Fortress, with its versatile design, is made for the fiercest of football duels. Designed for the player who powers through, the Fortress is a smart blend of strength, featuring a multi-layer upper construction for midfoot containment and lateral stability during sharp cuts. The dual-injection nylon and TPU plate offers midfoot stability, with triangular-shaped lugs designed for digging in. The Fortress uses the same FuelCell insert as the Prodigy for comfort and energy return, perfect for athletes aiming to get off the line faster, charge off the edge into the backfield, or power through to pick up a blitz. The cleat, designed to fit a broad range of athletes, is available in standard, wide, and extra-wide widths. Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr. will be the faces of the Fortress.

New Balance’s Fresh Approach to Product Development

“We approached this process with a fresh perspective. Before we begin creating any products, we ensure we understand the athletes’ needs and desires to help them perform at their peak. All athletes wish to be fast and comfortable, and we spent three years prototyping, tweaking, testing, and learning to deliver a uniquely New Balance experience for athletes that combines both performance and comfort,” explains Matt Nuzzo, Senior Product Manager for Field of Play at New Balance.

Aiming for the Ideal Mix of Fit, Support, and Stiffness

In their pursuit of cleat-making expertise, New Balance has relentlessly focused on integrating player insights into their prototype testing to perfect the ideal blend of fit, support, and stiffness for on-field performance. The cleats underwent several rounds of mechanical and human performance testing at the New Balance Sports Research Lab, with the focus on lower-limb biomechanics using motion capture technology. These tests influenced design and engineering decisions and were conducted on athletes of all grades – high school, college, and professional – emphasizing achieving the most comfortable fit experience for the football athlete.

The Evolution of the Athlete and New Balance’s Response

“There has been an evolution in the athlete as the game has progressed. Players need to move faster on both sides of the ball. Through these progressions, we wanted to ensure we’re creating footwear that evolves with them,” says Dave Millman, General Manager of Field of Play at New Balance. “Historically, players have assumed that a high-performing product might not be the most comfortable. With our entry into football, we’re here to show that this is not the case and that a high-performing product can fit and feel great. After all, the more comfortable the athlete is, the more they can focus on turning their preparation and Football IQ into game-changing disruptive speed.”

YOU ASKED…

What is unique about New Balance’s entry into the football sector?

New Balance marks its entry into the football market with the launch of two innovative cleat models, the Prodigy and the Fortress, engineered based on years of athlete insight and testing.

What are the features of the Prodigy model?

The Prodigy is designed with a dual-injected plate for quick movements and a FuelCell insert for cushioning and performance. It will be worn by Marvin Harrison, Jr., the number four overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

What makes the Fortress model special?

The Fortress is designed with a multi-layer upper construction for midfoot containment and lateral stability, with a FuelCell insert for comfort and energy return. It will be represented by Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr.

What is New Balance’s approach to product development?

New Balance ensures they understand the athletes’ needs and desires before creating any products. They spent three years prototyping, tweaking, testing, and learning to deliver a uniquely New Balance experience that combines performance and comfort.