When the 2008 football season kicks off, All-Star Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss will hit the turf wearing his signature shoe, created by Pony. Here’s a look at the Moss Collection, which you can sport, too.

The Moss Collection by Pony is a shoe and clothing line developed to meet the wants and needs of one of the NFL’s best wide receivers. As Pony CEO Kevin Wulff explains, the line not only covers Randy head to toe, but also “allows us to supply athletes of all levels with top-notch equipment and put them on an even playing field with their competition.” The Collection features three tiers of on-field cleats as well as a number of off-field offerings.

On-field
The Moss 1 Molded Signature Cleat
At the high end of the line, Randy’s signature shoe is designed with a high performance footbed for comfort and a molded TPU bottom, which makes the shoe lightweight.

According to Kyle Pulli, Pony’s vice president of design, skill position guys typically want to wear a lightweight cleat so they don’t feel it during games. However, by wearing a lightweight shoe, you can end up sacrificing comfort, cushion and the appropriate amount of support. Pulli says, “We felt that to build in an extra level of support and cushion would really create a strong point of difference as a football brand.”

The cleat also has a rolling egg crate cross section on the top of the interior to allow for better airflow and to limit the amount of contact between your foot and the ground.

“[Randy] prefers a certain level of support,” Pulli says. “The molded cleats are his choice because of the significantly lighter weight construction. It’s all about eliminating the friction you create inside the cleat. If you do that, you reduce the amount of heat buildup and keep the foot cooler.”

Gameday Cleat
The mid-tier features the Gameday, a universal performance shoe that Pulli refers to as the “meat and potatoes” of the line. Unlike Randy’s signature shoe, the Gameday, available in mid- or low-cut styles, includes a detachable bottom that allows for screw-in cleats.

“This cleat can serve the needs of just about any position on the field, whether you’re a running back, linebacker [or] lineman,” Pulli states. “It’s a multi-use, very universal cleat that just about anyone on the field can wear and have the appropriate level of support.”

Featuring a mesh tongue, variable lacing, webbing and strategically placed holes, the Gameday allows your feet to breathe while providing the comfort needed to perform well.

The Record Breaker
The final installment in the line is the Record Breaker, an entry-level molded rubber cleat. The shoe’s development was centered on Randy’s involvement with American Youth Football [AYF], the nation’s largest, non-profit youth football organization. Randy says he likes to collaborate with a company that supports what’s important in his life. “Pony lets me give back and help the next wave of young players coming up,” he says.

Although no definitive agreement has been signed between Pony and AYF, Pulli says the shoe is a solid product at a good value for any young athlete.

Off-field
The idea of Randy “off the field” was a big influence on the Moss Collection’s style. The motif for the entire line is based on Randy’s enjoyment of bass fishing. On the bottom of the shoes and on the big graphics, Pony incorporated a pattern found on a freshwater bass lure. Logos on the back of the shoes are made out of carbon fiber, inspired by high-end fishing reels that employ the same material.

“That was a good platform and inspiration to build from,” Pulli says. “We thought there were some parallels between bass fishing and football, specifically luring in the defense, baiting the defense [and] trying to catch Randy as he splits the defense.”

The off-field line features four unique additions to a football player’s shoe collection—the Trainer Mid, the Slide, the 5Oz and the Sockless TR.

Described as a “beefy, bulky, rugged” shoe, the Trainer Mid, essentially a takedown of the signature cleat, is perfect for organized team and weight room workouts. The Moss Slide is more of a casual shoe, ideal for pre-game rituals and post-game recovery.

For loose drills during warm ups and post-recovery, the Moss 5Oz is a lightweight option. An “in between shoe,” the 5Oz is a versatile hybrid of the slider and trainer. “You don’t need socks. You can do light stretching [and] light jogging,” Pulli explains. And it’s also “something you want after you get done with your workout [too]. You’re getting you’re foot cooled. [It’s] very ventilated, very comfortable.”

The Moss Sockless TR is a travel shoe with removable insoles, so it easily collapses to fit inside a gym bag or suitcase and easily expands to allow your feet to recover post-game. “[If] your foot swells [or] your circulation’s a little poor, the shoe is very expandable and a great, comfortable traveling shoe,” declares Pulli.

The Pony Moss on-field collection will be available in August; look for the off-field collection at the end of ’08.