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.

Adidas adiPure IV SL TRX FG

With the release of the adidas F50 Prime soon to hit stores next month along with the news\hype regarding adidas football creating an elite series of boots called the SL series. Footy fans have been searching high and low trying to get a glimpse of what is soon to come. Based off my blog stats over the past week 200 people have searched this site for tags regarding the adiPURe SL. With stats like that I could not ignore those numbers, so I was determined this week to bring some brand new news to the table. Looks like Christmas came early because according to Wegotsoccer the adiPURE SL Will cost $249.99 and is available to preorder for an expected ship date for 4/1/2011. The only thing that it does not say is the weight of the boot which I am dying to find out. However, I was right regarding the upper, release date, and the sprint frame outsole. Check the boot out here, Adidas adiPure IV SL TRX FG.

Tech Specs according to wegotsoccer;

Adidas adiPure IV SL TRX FG
PRE-ORDER. EXPECTED SHIP DATE IS 4/1/2011
Price:$249.99
UPPER: The upper material has 100% ultra soft and lightweight K-Leather for comfortable fir and natural ball feel. One touch construction in the vamp of the shoe for softer feel, less water intake & a more breathable, lighter upper. Premium soft lining features anti-slip finishing for best comfort and fit.
MIDSOLE: The adipure SL comes with an ergonomically pre-molded, cushioned sockliner and premium lining with X-Static treatment for superb fit and temperature regulation.
OUTSOLE: Sprint frame outsole is lightweight and provide stability through geometry. With less layers and removal of a conventional insole board, the outsole has been used to create the entire stability in the shoe. Triangular stud shape offers maximum acceleration, braking and turning.

Are you excited about these boots, or has the price point already turned you off? Please share your opinions and any other information/regarding the adiPURE SL.

AdiPURE SL

Adidas set to introduce a new breed of boots...

By popular demand, I decided to post about the soon to be released adiPURE SL set to launch this fall. Furthermore, the sl version is adidas elite version of the adiPURE IV. In addition, a lot of Footy fans are wondering what the major differences of the two boots are and why adidas decided to make an elite version of this popular classic boot. In my review of the adiPURE III, I stated that in terms of value: price,style, comfort and durability that the adiPURE is one of the best boots on the market.

With the SL version, adidas created a hybrid/elite version of the adiPURE by combining the sprint frame outsole that was first introduced and seen by foot fans on the original F50 adiZERO. By creating this unique outsole, adidas is able to extremely decrease the overall weight of any boot. With the insertion of the sprint frame adidas is able to keep the look/style of the classic adiPURE while turning it into a one of a kind speed boot, which has every footy fan including myself hungry to get their hands on a pair. I can remember back in the day, when Nike did the same thing with the Vapor by offering consumers a kangaroo version of the boot which was very popular for consumers who disliked synthetic boots at the time. Why did you stop Nike?

Furthermore, with this boot adidas is simply using their imagination and combining their classic style with one of the most unique/technological outsoles ever created to form an elite boot that can be used in todays modern game of football.

In the end, with the demand for light weight/speed boots continuing i am predicting that by using the sprint frame on the AdiPURE IV the SL version will weigh around 6.1 oz. As for cost, I believe the adiPURE SL will retail around $230 due to the outsole, weight and the k-leather upper.

With the insertion of the elite series from both adidas and Nike, it allows the elite consumers who want the most technologically advanced boots a chance to purchase them. We have all seen that no matter what the price tag of the boots that given the right product placement/branding and technology that consumers will pay top dollar. Example, the Super Fly with a price tag of $400. Like it or not at one time in the market there was a demand/place in the market for these boots.THE END.

adiPOWER Predator, adiPURE SL..

So it is final and all the speculation about what adidas has in the works for 2011 can be put to rest with this post. In my opinion, with the combination of the adiPURE, F50, and the new Predator adidas has improved on all of these styles and has also added an elite version of boots to compete with Nike’s line. For example, the picture below feature the adiPURE style but utilizes the F50 sprint frame to decrease the overall weight of the shoe.

Could 2011 be the year that adidas becomes number 1 in soccer due to Nike’s inability to improve the Vapor and their other boots?

Furthermore, what was called the Predator Kinetic will now be called the adiPOWER Predator and from this image and the other images I have shown you, is that this will be the lightest Predator to date weighing just 8.2 oz. adidas was able to change the upper, midsole, and outsole to decrease the weight of the boot. Here is what the tech sheet says about the boots:


AdiPOWER Predator-
Master the ball in the lightest Predator ever. Features Traxion outsole, sprint frame construction and proven Predator technology for skillful touch on firm ground. Upper: Power spine technology in the forefoot creates maximum shooting power by minimizing the energy lost while shooting. Taurus: a newly developed full- grain calf leather for a glove -like fit. Highly abrasion resistant with low water uptake. Silicon rubber Predator technology for maximum swerve and ball control. Lining: Nubuck touch heel lining for super soft comfort. Inlay: Pre-molded EVA sockliner with additional anti-slip EVA inserts on the backside. Midsole: Internal chassis constructions that holds the revolutionary power spine, providing never-before-seen shooting power. Outsole: The sprint frame construction uses geometrical learning’s and a new stud shape to offer the perfect balance between light weight and stability. A new dual-density superlight Traxion FG outsole for optimum grip and stud pressure distributed on firm natural grass pitches.
Size: 5.5-13.5

AdiPURE SL series will feature the adi outsole sprint frame to decrease the overall weight of the boot for the elite players looking to get a boot that is very light. adidas did this to compete with Nike's elite boots, but I am hoping that adidas price points are much more reasonable... Only time will tell.