The Nike Zoom Trout 4 Was Made Through Science

Recent years have granted sneaker designers an immense amount of data that has revolutionized the process, allowing Nike’s design team to create sneakers that are truly made for a specific athlete. For Mike Trout’s fourth signature model, much research went into the shoe; to analyze his movements on all parts of the baseball field and understand how his weight distributes atop the sole. “When you see an athlete like Mike who is such a powerful, explosive guy, it is easy to overbuild something if you don’t have any information,” said Nike senior footwear designer Jeff Rasmussen. From utilizing data about his feet in various situations, the designers knew where the cleats had to be flexible and where it needed to be stiff.

“the science and dedication Nike puts into a shoe is for real.” Says Trout

Once analyzing the data, the designers have a full arsenal of design technology from over the years, allowing them to embed things like foamposite tech, or hexagonal cleat plates — things that Nike uses in other sports, and now can improve products designed for baseball. The sneaker is priced at $150 USD for the cleats and $130 USD for the turf and is now available from select Nike retailers. Head over to BaseballAmerica to check out the full breakdown of the performance sneaker.