Designing cutting-edge baseball and softball footwear requires two things: a clear understanding of how most shoes fall short and science-backed solutions. A serious shoe obsession doesn’t hurt either. “We start by going shopping,” says Jonathan Bacon, SQAIRZ’s head designer. “Sometimes we literally take shoes apart to see what’s inside, measure parts, weigh them. You have to know what’s going on internally to make it better.”
We asked Jon what players will love best about SQAIRZ’s game-changing innovations and three of our favorite collaborators about their real-world experiences with the world’s best baseball and softball shoes.
The Pro: Stephen Hrustich, Florence Y'alls, alumnus of Northwestern University and the University of Michigan
The Coach: Allen Thomas, Director of Player Performance and Development at Slugger Science, former Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Chicago White Sox
The Performance Expert: Chad Miller, co-founder of Slugger Science and the Louisville Slugger Hitting Science Center
Signature SQAIRZ Patented Toe Box
What it does
● Allows toes to spread naturally
● Provides a stable base that maximizes the transfer of kinetic energy
● Improves overall balance, stability, and comfort
● Decreases injury risk
Pitchers drag their toes, which wears them out, so they often need a reinforced layer of leather or rubber in that area. I’m hearing from pitchers that they don’t need the reinforced toe because the front part of the shoe holds up so well.
—The Performance Expert
Why you’ll love it
“All our baseball shoes have our signature squared-off toe box,” Jon says. “The added space for the toes improves performance, and those edges on the outsole protect the toes. It might not be obvious when you look at them, but the extra material in the upper and outsole also adds to the shoes’ durability.”
I have very wide feet and like to wear shoes that are tight when I hit, but most shoes are just too narrow and hurt my feet. With the squared toe, my feet feel comfortable and relaxed.
—The Pro
100% Waterproof Synthetic Leather Upper
What it does
● Molds the shoe to the foot, ensuring a comfortable, secure fit
● Protects the foot
● Blocks water, dirt, and debris
● Keeps feet cool with breathable synthetic leather and a padded mesh tongue and collar
The shoes hold up incredibly well. I hit every day, and the pair I’ve had for months still looks new. No wearing out in spots, no tearing. It’s reassuring to know that what I have on my feet is helping me perform better and keeping me away from injuries, and they’re going to do that for a really long time.
—The Pro
Why you’ll love it
“Our high-end synthetic leather feels as good as real leather, but it’s a little more breathable and will last much longer,” Jon says. “It protects your feet from every angle, whether you’re hitting, pitching, or running, and it’s made to last.”
Proprietary Sta-Put™ Lacing System
What it does
● Locks laces in place for the duration of a practice or game
● Printed silicone nubs ensure you never have to stop to tie your laces
● Adds an element of fashion with fun new colors packs
All our guys love the laces. When you understand how kinetic energy and the overall functionality of the shoe work, you don’t want a loose shoe.
—The Coach
Why you’ll love it
“Everyone loves our laces!” Jon says. “We thought it would be fun to offer them in the bright colors we’ve been seeing on equipment for both genders. We went with fun colors from the 80s that have been trending—baby blue, neon yellow, and neon pink—bringing in a cool element from the fashion industry.”
I started out with the SQAIRZ turf shoe. After I ripped the laces in my molded cleats, I put the SQAIRZ laces in them. Those laces still haven't ripped, even though I tie them very tight. I pull hard on them!
—The Pro
Perfectly Calibrated Support
What it does
● Lightweight NRG-Foam™ midsole enhances energy return.
● Removable dual-density compression foam insole delivers step-in comfort
● Integrated stabilizer links the TPU Heel Counter to the arch for torsion resistance and superior ergonomic support
The design gives you this balance between functionality and comfortability. The shoes feel good, but if you look inside them, you can see how they support functional movement.
—The Coach
Why you’ll love it
“You get a lot of support from the heel counter, which is the area that covers the back of the foot,” Jon says. “That’s going to hold your heel steady and prevent you from twisting your ankle. It extends into the shank, where the midsole gives you very good arch support and prevents foot injuries, such as plantar fasciitis.”
Unparalleled Traction
What it does
● Metal cleats: Optimally-positioned Patented Smart Traction metal spikes achieve maximum grip with tall outer spikes, angled spikes, and smaller rubber cleats
● Molded cleats: Patented Smart Traction cleats includes primary and secondary cleats at varying heights for stable performance on grass and turf
● Turf sole: Over 250 Smart Traction rotational lugs positioned in a circular patterns promote quick, stable movements on a variety of surfaces
The outsole is light, but it’s also like wearing a little tank on your feet. It’s solid, stable, and very, very durable. You're not going to see the type of wear patterns have a negative impact on your ability to be an efficient athlete.
—The Performance Expert
Why you’ll love it
“The traction elements on the bottom of our metal and molded cleats are different heights,” Jon says. “Those secondary traction elements in the middle of the outsole make a big difference to stability. The nubs on the bottom of our turf shoe are all the same height. You need a lot more of them compared to the cleats or they’d wear down too quickly, so we paid a lot of attention to the number, and we’re also very careful with their spacing. In some shoes, the traction elements are too close together, so they fill up and then you’re skating.”
See the difference for yourself! Play better with SQAIRZ baseball or get your money back with our 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.