11.01.2018

NEW SCHOOL EDGE MEETS OLD SCHOOL COOL

Under Armour introduces the Harper 3, a home run of performance and style

Watch Bryce Harper play for one inning, and hints of past baseball greats become evident. When Bryce steps up to the plate and digs into the box, spectators hold their breath. At any moment, with the way he generates immense power through a stiff front leg and exaggerated torso – a swing that has been compared to the one and only Babe Ruth – a ball can soar 450 feet, bringing the crowd to its feet in a unified roar.

 

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For Bryce, though, his appeal in today’s game goes beyond a throwback style of play, and can be attributed to a modern, fun and extremely competitive persona that shines on the field. With one-of-a kind dives, bat flips galore, perfectly coifed hair and an imperative to make baseball fun again, Bryce is unlike anyone the game has ever seen.

 

“When designing a shoe for Bryce, we knew that in order to get his stamp of approval, they had to look and play the part," said Spencer Hawkins, UA Cleated Footwear Designer.

 

"First and foremost, it’s a piece of equipment that needs to perform, and we stacked the Harper 3 with everything he needs to play his best."

 

"But performance alone isn’t enough, and what I’m really proud of is how we delivered on the performance benefits while maintaining a clean and fresh aesthetic that Bryce, and any other player, will be proud to wear.”

 

DESIGN INSPIRATION

For a man with his skills and style, the only way for UA to do his signature shoe justice was to bring that dichotomy to the Harper 3 - combining a vintage aesthetic with modern performance and textile innovations. Every piece of the Harper 3 cleat, from the outside in, was meticulously constructed to meet Harper’s needs.

 

The Daytona leather jacket, a staple in Bryce's wardrobe, inspired the ribbed stitching on the Harper 3 upper.

The Daytona leather jacket, a staple in Bryce's wardrobe, inspired the ribbed stitching on the Harper 3 upper.

A chrome bezel, representing Bryce's power as a player, also ties back to his love of classic American muscle cars.

A chrome bezel, representing Bryce's power as a player, also ties back to his love of classic American muscle cars.

The Harper 3 is Under Armour’s first baseball cleat with a woven knit upper. The distinct ribbed knit stitching is inspired by the look of traditional Daytona leather jackets, a staple of Bryce’s wardrobe. This performance-driven knit meets premium classic leather on the shoe’s exterior, welded together by a chrome bezel that represents his power as a player. The distinct chrome accent is inspired by Bryce's love of classic American cars; performance functionality imbued with effortless style for an iconic look and feel.

 

“It’s so fun and rewarding to see how the Harper cleats evolve each year. They keep getting better with every iteration. When I wear them, or see other athletes and kids wearing them, it’s a constant reminder of where I came from and what I’m out here playing for. I couldn’t ask for more from Under Armour and I’m so excited to share the Harper 3 with the world.”

Bryce Harper

For Bryce, the most personal detail of this shoe is hidden on the inside. The brightly colored Harper 3 sockliner features a bolded list of things he holds dear printed on top of newspaper clippings from throughout his career:

 

  • Family;
  • (702), his hometown Las Vegas area code;
  • Luke 1:37, his favorite bible verse;
  • and KMH, his wife’s initials.

The design suggests that success on and off the field are not mutually exclusive.

 

KEY FEATURES OF THE HARPER 3 WOVEN KNIT DESIGN:

The Harper 3 features a woven upper and a comfortable yet stylish knit design. The sock-like knit is a way to build in comfort, support, stretch, and breathability where Bryce needs it the most.

 

ASYMMETRIC MIDSOLE:

Since Bryce generates so much power in his swing, the Harper 3 cleats were designed with a midsole that would help support and stabilize Bryce’s lateral force by producing a support zone in the lateral forefoot (where this force is concentrated through his swing). This midsole design also entails a durability zone in the heel, all while keeping the rest low-profile, giving Bryce that low-to-the-ground feeling that he loves.

 

HYBRID PLATE:

The Harper 3 also includes Under Armour’s hybrid plate, which features a 6-steel spike configuration in the forefoot, designed for traction when running the bases, and molded TPU rubber spikes in the heel for maximum comfort while Bryce is standing in the outfield.

 

The Harper 3 is available for purchase now on UA.com.