Ayrton Oneill
NBA star Kawhi Leonard's signature shoe with New Balance, the OMN1S, was released in 2019. The shoe, which retailed for $140, sold out in minutes and received high praise for its performance and design. The Trust Leonard version, with Kawhi Leonard printed across the back, was particularly popular. Leonard's partnership with New Balance is a significant endorsement for the brand as they re-enter the competitive performance basketball market. With Leonard on board, New Balance gains credibility and authenticity, and his elite performance on the court reflects positively on the technical prowess of the shoes he wears. The latest release from New Balance and Kawhi Leonard, the NB KAWHI, is set to launch on June 1st, honouring his hometown of Moreno Valley.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Shoe | OMN1S, KAWHI, NB Kawhi 4 |
| Brand | New Balance |
| Year of release | 2019, 2024 |
| Athlete | Kawhi Leonard |
| Athlete's team | Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers |
| Athlete's position | NBA's Mr. Spock, NBA All-Star, NBA Star |
| Shoe features | Six initial colorways, "Kawhi Leonard" printed across the back, "Trust Leonard" version |
| Shoe price | $140 |
| Resale price | $594 and $750 |
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What You'll Learn
The New Balance OMN1S
New Balance's OMN1S is the brand's first basketball sneaker in a long time. It was released on May 7 as part of the "2-Way" pack, which also included the complementary 997 Sport, both retailing for $140. The shoes sold out in minutes and received bids on the resale market by 11 a.m. ET the next day for $594 and $750, respectively.
The OMN1S is a durable performer with comfortable cushioning, good materials, and great traction on clean courts. The standard support features—torsion shank, heel counter, and outrigger—all work together very well. There is no heel slippage, and ankle support is fine, but some have reported feeling their foot sliding over the footbed. The wide base and materials around the ankle provide a safe and secure feeling. The woven upper material doesn't provide much lockdown, and the heel counter feels pretty flimsy. However, going down half a size can improve the lockdown significantly. The one-bootie upper hugs the feet nicely, and there is no dead space in the toe box.
The OMN1S is part of New Balance's limited lineup of basketball shoes, which also includes NBA All-Star Kawhi Leonard signatures. This marketing strategy relies on releasing premium quality models that are well-crafted and designed for elite performance. Kawhi Leonard's association with New Balance is expected to give the brand authenticity and credibility, with many fans knowing what shoe brand he is wearing and believing that his performance on the court underpins the technical prowess of New Balance shoes.
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NBA star Kawhi Leonard's signature shoe
In 2018, NBA star Kawhi Leonard signed with New Balance, becoming the face of the brand's basketball line as it returned to the sport. On 17 February 2020, New Balance unveiled Leonard's first signature shoe, the OMN1S, which he had been wearing as a player edition of their latest performance model. The shoe sold out in minutes and received high bids on the resale market.
Leonard's signature shoe remains the only signature model for New Balance in basketball. The shoe features Energy Arc technology, which combines a basketball-specific carbon fibre plate geometry with strategic midsole voids. It also includes the brand's FuelCell cushioning in the midsole, designed to promote energy return. The low-top silhouette features a lightweight mesh upper and synthetic overlays for lateral support, along with a TPU heel cage and cable-loop speed lacing.
On 2 May 2024, New Balance announced the release of Leonard's fourth signature shoe, the Kawhi IV, which debuted in two colourways: Transcend Reality and Transcend the Game. The Transcend Reality colourway draws inspiration from old-school gamer graphics, while the Transcend the Game colourway features retro red, white, and black colours, showcasing how Leonard's playing style fits any era of basketball. The Kawhi IV incorporates the latest New Balance technology to support Leonard's aggressive play and elevate the performance of any player.
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The 'Trust Leonard' version
Kawhi Leonard's first signature shoe with New Balance, the OMN1S, was released in 2019. The "Trust Leonard" version of the OMN1S features "Kawhi Leonard" printed across the back in a Times New Roman-style font, reminiscent of the brand's iconic 1980s ads starring Lakers legend James Worthy. This design choice aligns with New Balance's marketing strategy of leveraging Kawhi's performance and reputation to build credibility and authenticity for their basketball line.
The "Trust Leonard" OMN1S is part of the "2-Way" pack, which also includes the complementary 997 Sport. The pack was released on May 7 and sold out within minutes, with bids on the resale market reaching up to $750 the next day.
The OMN1S is a competent performance basketball shoe that suits Kawhi's reserved personality. While some may have expected a more distinctive design, the shoe's initial foray successfully combines Kawhi's style with New Balance's heritage. The "Trust Leonard" version, in particular, captures the "dad-ish, normcore vibes" that have contributed to the brand's classic kicks' popularity.
New Balance's partnership with Kawhi Leonard extends beyond the OMN1S, as he is now one of their seven NBA endorsers. This curated collective rotates between four performance models, including the NB Kawhi 4, the Hesi Low v2, the TWO WXY v5, and the Fresh Foam BB v3. The NB Kawhi 4, in particular, showcases Kawhi's signature style and has become a featured silhouette within the New Balance basketball roster.
With the recent release of the "2-Way" pack and the ongoing endorsements from NBA stars like Kawhi Leonard, New Balance is building an NBA dynasty. The brand is strategically signing deals with players like Darius Bazley and Tyrese Maxey, showcasing their ability to spot rising stars and build a curated collective of endorsers. As New Balance continues to gain traction in the basketball world, we can expect to see more signature shoes and collaborations with their growing list of NBA endorsers.
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The '2-Way' pack
New Balance released the "2-Way" pack on May 7, featuring two shoes: the court-ready OMN1S and the complementary 997 Sport. Both shoes retailed for $140, but they sold out in minutes and appeared on the resale market the next day, with bids of $594 and $750, respectively.
The OMN1S is the first New Balance signature shoe of NBA star Kawhi Leonard. The shoe comes in six initial colorways, the most notable of which is the "Trust Leonard" version, featuring "Kawhi Leonard" printed across the back in a Times New Roman-style font. This design pays homage to the shoemaker's iconic 1980s ads starring Lakers legend James Worthy.
The OMN1S has a reserved design that suits Leonard's demeanor, and it demonstrates New Balance's ability to craft a competent performance basketball shoe. The shoe received praise for its structure, scoring 5/5 in torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness tests, ensuring that the wearer's feet remain stable.
The release of the "2-Way" pack is part of New Balance's strategy to build credibility and authenticity in the highly competitive performance basketball market. By associating with elite athletes like Kawhi Leonard, the brand gains endorsement and relevance for their basketball shoes.
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The NB KAWHI
The design of the NB KAWHI is a nod to the shoemaker's iconic 1980s ads starring Lakers great James Worthy. The shoe features Kawhi Leonard's name printed across the back in a Times New Roman-style font. The initial release included six colorways, with the "Trust Leonard" version being the most popular. The NB KAWHI also comes in a "2-Way" pack, which includes a complementary 997 Sport shoe.
However, others have questioned the impact of Kawhi Leonard's performance on the court on the sales of the NB KAWHI. The marketing challenge for New Balance is how to promote a spokesman who barely ever speaks. Despite the reservations, the NB KAWHI has gained traction among consumers, with fans associating Kawhi Leonard's success on the court with the technical prowess of the shoes.
Overall, the NB KAWHI is a significant release for New Balance as they re-enter the competitive performance basketball market. The shoe has generated buzz and sold out quickly, with high demand on the resale market. The collaboration with Kawhi Leonard has brought credibility and authenticity to the brand, positioning them for success in the basketball footwear category.
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Frequently asked questions
Kawhi Leonard's first New Balance shoe, the OMN1S, was released in 2019.
The first colourway of the OMN1S was the "Trust Leonard" version, with "Kawhi Leonard" printed across the back.
Kawhi Leonard's latest signature shoe with New Balance is the NB Kawhi 4.
The latest version of the New Balance OMN1S, the "2-Way" pack, was released on May 7.
The shoes in the "2-Way" pack retailed for $140 and sold out in minutes.
