Messi worlds best footballer?

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...

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.

Adidas F50 adiPrime

adiZERO Prime: launch date, price, & changes from Footy guru.

Well footy fans, adidas has continued to make a splash in the boot market to start off 2011 with a bang. The adiZERO Prime by the three stripe company from Deutschland has produced the lightest boot to date at 5.2 oz. In addition, the boot which will retail at $300, is expected to hit the shelves February 1st, 2011 featuring both the Warning/Black/White and Black/White/Electricity color ways shown below.










Furthermore, most of you footy fans have been keeping tabs/following the launch and speculation of these boots so i have decided to provide updates/cold hard facts about the Prime to set the myths straight surrounding the adiZero F50 PRIME.

Rather then start of the year with a slow jog adidas decided start off with a sprint. Rather then wait and take punches from Nike, adidas made a bold statement and introduced Footy fans to the lightest boot to date which is called the adiZero Prime which weighs a mind blowing 5.2 oz. Behind the decrease in weight is the change in upper. Unlike the first adiZero model, The Prime features an upper called adiLite, which is a single layer upper that has no foam or lining which provides durability, better ball feel/touch and greatly reduces the overall weight of the boot to a staggering 5.2 oz. Rather then stop there, adidas put Kevlar laces on the boot to decrease the overall weight of the boot even more.









Another thing I thought was interesting are the colors choices adidas chose to launch the boot with. Instead of playing it safe adidas went with bold color ways such as orange and lime green. Not by any means am I hating on the color, I think it's fantastic adidas is no longer playing it safe and believe these boots will look fantastic on the pitch and be a big hit with consumers.






Facts:
Name: adiZero F50 Prime
Consumer: Elite
Category: Speed boot
Position: midfield/forward
Upper: adiLite
Weight: 5.2 oz- Lightest boot on the market.
Price: $300
Release date: February 1st, 2011

Concerns/questions regarding the boot?
Have adidas fixed the cleat snapping problem that many original adiZero users faced? Do the colored studs represent something/technology on the Prime or are they just for looks?
Has adidas fallen into the Nike trap, will consumers pay $300 for these elite boots or will the demand fall due to the big Price tag?
How durable are these boots going to be throughout a season?

Based on the facts I have provided, what do you think about the Prime? In term of style, technology, and price can you see this boot being the boot of the year for 2011? The dominance of the original adiZERO took time,but by the end of 2010 the boot was everywhere. Only time will tell Footy fans...

AdiZERO F50 production process.

Messi adiZERO II COLORWAY...

These look cheap but could be a hand made sample just to see what the real boot would look like. I am also happy to see what looks like k-leather upper. Once again, I am unsure if this is the adizero II or the PRIME which is the elite version of the adizero which is suppose to be lighter then its current model. In the end, it is a good spot in terms of colorway and shows the evolution of adidas soccer boots in the last two years. Nike will you please stand up?

PDX 2011 Timbers Kits

Hello footy fans, I know this site is all about boots and what is up and coming in the world of soccer boots but I just wanted to show you guys the Portland Timbers new uniform that they will wear for the 2011 season. With the Adidas North America HQ being based in Portland they had to make a statement and with the release of the 2011 home and away jersey, Adidas and the Timbers did just that... Below are pictures of the away and home jersey for the upcoming season. As you can see, this jersey will be one of the most dynmaic jerseys on the pitch in terms of looks and appearance around MLS.

In addition, I am also interested to see how many players will wear Nike boots compared to Adidas. Word around PDX, is tha Nike has already signed the coach to a Nike deal which seems odd. With both companies based in Portland I will bet the 2011 will be great for boot spotting for both Nike and Adidas newest boots.

New images/colorways for adiZERO II

It is safe to say that the adizero II and the Prime from adidas is going to be one of the most hyped footy launches since the original superfly in 2011. With a change in color, appearance, weight and buzz/images it seems adidas has improved on the adizero which according to the voters on footy guru, the adizero is leading the way for boot of the year in 2010. In the end, here are some new images/colorways of the adizero II and maybe the Prime?

NEW Prime and adizero II sample color ways

Images of the Prime and adizero II by adidas. These are new color ways of what color the boots might come out as.

Let me know what you think about the boots, and if you have experiences with the current adizero i want to hear about what you like or dislike. From the votes, it looks like the boot of the year on footy guru will be the adizero f50.

adiPURE IV Released!!

There is nothing I hate more than seeing kids nowadays who suck at soccer wearing the brightest shoes on the pitch. In one way, Nike has reached the younger generation of players with the bright colors and fancy technology but it seems they have also created poseurs. What is a poseur? “a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not” Call me old school, but I do not believe you should have colored shoes unless you can hold your own on the pitch and have proven yourself. The shoes do not make the player… Furthermore, if you are looking to improve your game and are not into red, pink or purple boots… check out the Adidas adiPURE line.



It’s simple, classic and you can let your game do the talking not your boots.
Adidas has come a long way and so has the evolution of one of the classic boots that defines Adidas soccer in this decade is the adiPURE in my opinion. You may say I am wrong and think that the adiZero/F50 is the Adidas boot turning the heads of players, but adiPURE in my opinion is one of the best boots on the market in terms of PRICE, STYLE, and DURABILITY. The boot combines the classic look and feel with new technology to reach players both young and old.

Did you like the first adiPURE? If yes, then the newly released adiPURE IV has been designed with similar features from the first boot. It includes a narrow last, centered lacing, and a different upper to give it a retro/classic look we associate with adidas soccer.


Specs of the boot:
•New Quilted Vamp upper : Adidas changed key spots on the upper to improve performance/touch but also provides the boots with a cool retro look. You will notice how the stitches varies on the boot.
•Center lacing System : Adidas have gone back to a centered lace system. I was not a fan off the off center lacing due to the fact that I experienced pinching/hots spots on the outside of my foot. The center lacing is perfect for this boot and compliments the streamline shape of the boot.
•Change in 3 stripes : The 3 three stripes have been made more vertical on this boot which makes it even more of a classic/retro boot. I like the placement of the three lines.
•Weight Theme: Adidas following the demands from the players have lowered the weight of the adiPure down from 10.6oz to 9.8oz. This is a pretty decent drop in weight and it will appeal to many players who want something that offers a classic touch/feel but that is also lightweight and not bulky.

Specs:
•Boot series: adiPURE
•External Heel Counter: yes
•Lacing: Central
•Outsole Material: Traxion PU
•Primary Upper Material: Kangaroo leather
•Stud Shape: Bladed
•Suitable For: Firm Natural Surfaces
•Weight: 9.8 oz.

Adidas Predator Kinetic?

NEW Adidas Adipure IV

Sneak peak of the Adidas Adipure IV. It will be one of the best classic k-leather boots on the market in 2011.

Footy Guru- Review of the adiPURE III: "At the moment, the adiPURE III is the best boot on the market. Based on style, performance, durability, and value no other shoe comes close. Over the past couple months, I have had the opportunity to test the adiPURE in games and practices and it has been excellent since the first time I put it on. With full grain Kangaroo leather the upper is extremely soft and provides an excellent touch/feel on the ball. Adidas has also redesigned the tongue, and moved away from the wrap around tongue to the more traditional movable tongue. The adiPure III like the second version features asymmetrical lacing which results in a cleaner/larger striking area. In the end, if you want a classic boot, that offers extreme durability and the best performance at realistic price, the adiPURE is the shoe for you".

What do you think about the style, looks, and value of the NEW Adidas Adipure IV?