Nike reveals third signature cleat for Mike Trout

Mike Trout has size. At 6-3, 200 pounds, the Los Angeles Angels star delivers his game with power. That power defines the third signature Nike cleat for the

Mike Trout has size. At 6-3, 200 pounds, the Los Angeles Angels star delivers his game with power. That power defines the third signature Nike cleat for the outfielder.

The Nike Zoom Trout 3 hangs its hat on the two key areas that Trout says he wants: “comfort” and “stability.”

“(It took) a lot of time to get where I wanted,” Trout says. “I can’t wait to put them on and go to work again.”

courtesy Nike

Nike built in a heel bucket and TPU wrap on the heel to keep Trout from sliding in the cleat, while an engineered mesh and Flywire cabling on the upper stretches as needed to keep the foot locked down, but allow for movement. With a nine-cleat configuration—and geometric divots on the outsole to help prevent dirt from clinging to the shoe’s bottom—Nike says the design helps the former MVP reach 20 mph between first and third and leap up to 60 inches when rising to snare a flyball.

Zoom Air units in both the forefoot and heel provide cushioning.

The initial July 1 debut of the Zoom Trout 3 features plenty of neon green and red, but if what Nike has done with previous Trout signatures is any indication of what’s to come, we’re most excited for the return of the “Rainbow Trout” colorway.

Tim Newcomb covers sports aesthetics—stadiums to sneakers—and training for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.