Elite series place in the soccer market...

NIKE WC Elite Boots

With the introduction of elite boots by Nike and now adidas we have seen the price of boots increase. Furthermore, many of us Footy fans wonder why the increase in price, who is buying these boots, and why form an elite series/professional level boot is being available to public.

Adidas SL/Elite version of the adiPURE IV

The first answer to the price increase is the materials used but also with the boots weight is a major factor for consumers/players. Since the rise of the mercurial series boots have been dropping weight to what we now call the speed boot race. Over the years manufacturers/companies have put millions of dollars into testing and development to create the lightest boot on the market. It is called an elite boot because it is the top of the line, materials, weight, and not to mention it is what you see the professionals wearing. In the end, you are ultimately paying for the technology that went to produce the boots.

Furthermore, with these boots set at the prices they are at people keep wondering why make an elite boot, who is buying these boots? Well if you are an elite or serious soccer player in the world you want the best technology and the best boot money can buy. I have tested cheap boots in the past and compared to an elite boot there is no comparing. The comfort, fit, and performance enhance your ability on the field and are far superior then its knock down boot. Furthermore, equipment plays a major role in sports but in soccer specifically the boot you wear says a lot about you and your needs as a player in order to get the job done on the field. I personally believe there is a certain boot for everyone and that certain/perfect boot depends on your foot shape, the level of soccer you play, and position.

In the end, I believe football companies created another series/silo specifically focussing on the athletes needs and wants, that is why it is elite. However, through satisfying their needs companies like Nike and adidas have made a new silo which it geared towards the professionals or players that play at a high level that want the best money can buy. In this, by creating the elite series boots football companies were able to introduce a new silo/series to give consumers more options. The test subject were the elite boots Nike created for the world cup which were very successful and created a demand for elite boots because consumers saw those boots/specs and wanted the best money could buy, they did not care about the price point but rather cared who was wearing it, how much it weighed, and how cool it looked.

In my opinion, players/boots are categorized by four different categories;

Elite level- new market
Pro level
Club level
Intro level

Why do you think consumers are now buying the elite vs the pro level boots? Technology, fit, performance? I am interested in hearing other peoples opinions regarding the elite series of boots. Negatives, positives, etc.

BLACK AND YELLOW CTR 360 II ELITE-" Thank me later"

Constructed from Kanga-Lite synthetic leather for enhanced control and precise distributon in all conditions and with a carbon fibre soleplate for elite performance, the CTR Maestri II Elite offers ultimate comfort, support and touch.

Source: EBAY/CLARITYS

Nike Tiempo IV; Dat New 'NEW'

Tiempo IV will also have an elite version to the series which includes fly wire.

The Tiempo series which is Nike's classic football boot has undergone little to no change in recent launches which has consumers wanting more from this boot/series in terms of style, price, and technology. What is so attractive about the Tiempo series is the price of the boot and the narrow cut of the boot which is perfect for players with narrow feet looking for a boot with an old school feel and look. In addition, with the purchase of these boots unlike other Nike boots you are not left with sticker shock after you buy these because for what you are buying in terms of style, price,durability and technology they are justifiable. Furthermore, Nike had to innovate this series due adidas recent success and growing popularity of the adiPure. I have said this many times but based on the value of the boot, the adipure is at the top of its class. I do not know how adidas does it, but to produce a boot and put it at a retail cost of $130 is beyond my and every other footballers wildest dreams. The price and the boot are HOT! Especially with the recent introduction of the adiPure IV, which shits pure class in opinion. The boot is tremendously well done and has a new school and an old school feel all at the same time which is hard to beat.

AdiPURE IV; Unreleased RED color way

However, with this launch and reconstruction/development of the Tiempo IV i think footy fans will be very pleased with the new style, design, and technology of this boot when it hits stores this summer.

Well fans I hope you enjoy the specs and leaked photos on this post. Nike has come to play with the creation of the Tiempo IV... The boot will come in an elite version, the regular version will feature a twist of kanga-lite and k leather a boot/upper that no other Nike Teimpo boot has seen besides the elite World Cup version, and the drop down version of the Tiempo which will feature a calf skin upper also looks to be a contender in terms of price, materials, and style in the boot market.

Key Information regarding the launch:

• Will have an elite version composed of flywire and carbon fiber outsole.These will be spendy but it will be an elite version which means it is superior in materials used, the weight of the boot, and do not forget the price tag that comes with a Nike elite boot.
• Tiempo Legend IV will feature a kanga-lite upper.The kanga-lite upper will help reduce the weight of the boot and make it more water resistant in wet conditions. Due to the change in upper this boot will be lighter then the Tiempo III.
• Launch date 7/1/2011

Windchill/Dark Obsidian/Chlorine Blue Nike Superfly II

• Family: Mercurial
• Made In: Imported
• How Attached To Upper: Cemented
• Insole Material: EVA foam
• Insole Removable: yes
• Lacing: Central
• Outsole Performance features: Toe-off traction spikes
• Primary Upper Material: Teijin microfiber
• Stud Material: PU
• Stud Shape: Bladed
• Suitable For: Firm Natural Surfaces
• Weight: 7.8 oz.

Nike Vapor Superfly III

Here is a close up look of the Super Fly III. Not sure why it is labeled as the next Super Fly because after seeing images around the net, the boot looks like a mirror image of the second version of this Nike elite boot. The boot still has fly wire, sense studs, and carbon fiber outsole.

Only time will tell footy fans. In my opinion, this series needs to be revamped by the Nike development team. The boot has not changed in the past two years and Nike Football fans are ready for something else/new.

Is the Nike Superfly dead?

With adidas releasing the prime at a somewhat high price at $300 Nike and the rest of the vapor series have taken a back seat in the innovation kitchen. In my opinion, the superfly is dead and to increase demand for the boots I think Nike need to look within and more specifically brand Jordan. Make the superfly that boot that is released in crazy cool color ways but make it a limited launch and maybe only the first 1000 consumers get a pair. Why use this business model? Well if I remember from economics you need to have demand for a product to be a successful company. By limiting the amount sold it will increase demand... In the end, the superfly is old news, mercurial fans are ready for the next best thing to hit the pitch from Nike. If Nike has cards to play they better play them soon because once the prime comes out next month everyone and anyone will be wearing those boots. Its simple to buy them, as a consumer you are purchasing the lightest boot in the game, there are no negatives to that.

Do you guys like the superfly, what are your impressions/experiences with this boot?

Tiempo III ELITE?

Check out these crazy boots, World cup Tiempo elite. Boot has the upper of the WC Tiempo with the superfly out sole. Good combination/innovation?

Nike Vapor VII

In the past couple of seasons/launches Nike has changed the Mercurial Series by offering unique colors like purple, pink and lime green to grab consumers attention.  However, but in terms of technology/appearance changes the boot has been very meek, and as a consumer I am ready for something new. I believe Nike has all the tools they need to make the next Vapor aka VII the best we have ever seen. For example, if Nike took a moment to look back in time at past Vapors they will find technology and styles that still appeal to Mercurial fans today. Why not take a step back down memory lane and combine a couple different vapors/technologies and form an elite Vapor that brings something new and fresh to the market.

However, i hate to inform you followers but from the looks of it Nike once again changed the color and that is about it. Some bloggers believe that with the Vapor VII, Nike took away the Nike skin/lace cover and brought it back to the straight lacing look i love. Never the less, I have seen two different pictures of the Vapor VII and each one is different.

Which boot/style would you prefer? Do you like the lace cover?

BLACK AND YELLOW CTR 360 II

In recent months, Nike released the second coming of the CTR360. The CTR360 was a brand new silo when it was released and was met with instant praise and success by footballers around the world. The debate? Nike claim to have improved what many felt was a perfect boot. The CTR360 II like the original CTR360 is a boot geared towards the midfielders on the pitch. By listening to their athletes and holding various focus groups Nike was able to create a very unique boot, a boot designed to siute a midfielders game. In the end, Nike created the ultimate boot for a midfield player and if you look around the players have taken notice.

The new Nike CTR360 Maestri II has six elements for players looking to purchase a premium boot:

KANGA-LITE UPPER

This material feels like leather, providing great comfort and an excellent fit whatever the weather.

PASS AND RECEIVE PAD

The injected instep pad provides grip-like traction and enhances ball control.

PASS PAD

The pass pad leads to a precise distribution and placement of passes.

RECEIVE PAD

The receive pad improves instep ball control and makes it easier to trap the ball.

DAMPENING PODS

Cushion zones on the lateral forefoot enhance your first touch and ball control.

ASYMMETRICAL LACING

Asymmetrical lacing creates an expanded ball control surface.

Black and yellow, black and yellow, everything Nike does they do it BIG. With this boot Nike did it big! With the third release of the CTR II, Nike will once again use a two tone color on the boot with a combination of black and yellow which looks awesome. In my opinion, the CTR is one of the best boots Nike has ever created in terms of comfort, style, technology and price.

What do you think about the CTR360 silo football fans?

Football Boots too much $$$ ?

Over the past 10 years we have seen a dramatic change in the soccer shoe market. The days are gone where you could go to a local soccer shop and purchase a pair of boots that your favorite professional player endorsed/wore. I can specifically remember that I wanted whatever Roberto Baggio wore, which were the flashy royal blue Diadora boots. Let's face it Footy fans, the days of paying around $100 for an elite pair of boots are long gone. For example, if you look around the net for a pair of elite level boots you better be expected to pay at least $200.

Furthermore, I never thought I would see the day when football boots reached over $200. Back in the day I used to save my money for months on end just so I could buy the new pair of predators. However, times have changed, along with the game of football, it is faster, players are more athletic, and the sport has grown all over the world, most importantly in North America.

For example, according to Wikipedia "Despite the growth of men's and women's professional soccer in the United States in the last few decades, by far the largest category of soccer in the United States, at least in terms of participation, is boys and girls youth soccer. Though organized locally by organizations all over the United States, there are three main youth soccer organizations working nationwide through affiliated local associations. The United States Youth Soccer Association boasts over three million players between the ages of five and 19, while American Youth Soccer Organization has more than 300,000 players between the ages of four and 19. Finally, the USL offers a number of youth leagues, including the Super-20 League and the Super Y-League, which have almost 1,000 teams and tens of thousands of players from the ages of 13 to 20. This makes soccer one of the most played sports by children in the United States". With these numbers and the potential for revenue, sports giants Nike and adidas started to pay attention and focussing on providing products to satisfy the needs/wants of the millions of kids playing soccer in the USA.

In the end, I have always believed competition brings out the best in everyone and with Nike and adidas battling for soccer supremacy in North America, Footy fans have been treated to technological advances/creativity that no one thought would ever be possible. For example, it all started in the 1998 world cup where Nike introduced the lightest soccer boot ever created called the Mercurial Vapor, which was made of a synthetic upper, which at the time was unheard of and took the football world by surprise. Since then the evolution of boots and technology has not stopped and throughout the past 10 years the boot prices continue to grow.

Besides the increase in technology, what other factors do you believe that affect the price of soccer boots? Players, marketing, economy/demand, materials, labor? Please share your comments...

I'm off the planet series: Post #2 by Footy guru:

I'm off the planet series: Post #2 by Footy guru:

This week I again focussed on developing a boot for Nike and with this development idea I focussed my effort on the Tiempo series. This boot would be Tiempo inspired in that it would be a classic boot in terms of look, style, comfort and most importantly price. Over the past two years like a lot of Nike boots, I believe in terms of comfort, style, and performance the Tiempo series has taken a back seat like the total 90 and vapor Series. These styles have changed color but from a consumer stand point me and the rest of the world are hungry for new styles, ideas, concepts, and technology from Nike.

My idea is to create a boot that caters to the classic/old school footballers that want the touch and feel of a k leather boot with out the sparkle and flash that most todays football boots offer. Sometimes less is more and with this idea Nike could satisfy a lot of consumers needs and steal consumers from adidas because like the rest of the companies adidas is making boots more narrow and lighter. For example, I am testing the current adiPURE IV and it seems more narrow then the last one which is cause for concern.

I feel that the mold of the current Tiempo limits footballers with wider feet. Those footballers with wider feet then turn to PUMA, Kelme, and sometimes Diadora. My idea is to create a boot called the INTERNATIONAL that is full grain k leather that has off center lacing and a similar last to that of a CTR. The asymmetrical would provide a cleaner striking surface and offer the boot a unique look unlike Nike has produced yet. It would be a clean design with either molded or bladed studs and feature no tongue to help aid in looks/style. Furthermore, i Imagine a full grain k leather boot that is black and white, has a wider footbed and is at the price point of a staggering $130. This boot would be simple; a k leather upper, wider forefoot and Nike is able to compete with the adiPURE from adidas. Sometimes less is more, and I think a k leather boot that is wider, splashed with the swoosh at a staggering $130 would fly off the shelf.

In the end, I am just using my imagination and believe a this would be popular for consumers and give Footy folks with a wider foot a chance to wear Nike. All the Nike boots are so narrow or are splashed with technology. What happened to just a normal k leather boot that the weekend warrior or the old professional could wear? Next week I will be coming up with a boot for adidas that involves a twist that I believe could be a banger!

Specs:
Name: International
Category: Classic Performance
Positions: forward, midfield
Upper: K leather
Weight: 9 oz.
Inspiration: Eric Cantona, classic boot style,look, and feel.
Creator: Footy Guru

Mercurial vapor VII, Tiempo IV/SL, & Super Fly III

Dear footy fans,

I know a lot of people along with me have been excited about the teaser images/info released by adidas in the recent weeks. It has created a lot of hype that i believe However, I am excited to see what Nike has up their sleeves and I have found some pictures to confirm that the boots for 2011 that I have touched on in recent posts like the Superfly III, Tiempo IV and Tiempo IV ELITE are in fact in the works and expected to hit stores this coming summer and fall with what looks to be new color schemes/boots.

Check the boots/styles/colors out..