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.

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?

Vapor needs a face lift...VII?

With adidas adapting to the times and making a run at the light weight boot race we would expect Nike to rise up for the challenge but it seems from the looks of the 2011 line of boots I have seen from both Nike and adidas, it seems that adidas is aggressively innovating and improving their boots while Nike is stuck thinking what haven’t we done. It is a big gamble for adidas to show their hand so soon by releasing the Prime and the adizero II so soon in 2011 but it could pay off if consumers love the new f50 as much as they did the original f50 which was the boot of the year on footy guru for 2010.

In my opinion, it is time for Nike to redesign the vapor series and look back into the past models and pick the different uppers, outsoles, and technologies that made each one so unique. In recent years, Nike has relied on there color ways to sell boots but I think it is time that they brain stormed new ideas and redesign the vapor, the consumers are ready for it!

For example, I would love for Nike to reengineer the Vapor I/II series and add current day technology. Out of the vapor series that was my favorite model and I loved the way the boot looked and felt.

Footy fans, what is your favorite vapor of all time?

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

Im off the planet series: Post #1 by Footy guru:

Im off the planet series: Post #1 by Footy guru:

Over the next month, I will be creating a series of posts that are ideas of mine for certain soccer boots that I imagine building/ producing that I think would be a hit to consumers. These ideas are new, fresh and feature off the planet ideas. The ideas are my way of sharing my creativity along with my passion for football boots.

The story behind this series:
About a year ago I found myself in front of developers that make Nike football boots happen. The footwear product development team at Nike Football who takes ideas/sketches from marketing are in charge of building the boots you see on the elite pros and amateur players all over the world. What was I doing there? I was interviewing for an associate developer position within the soccer department which I thought/believed to be my dream job. In this interview, I broke down and reviewed various Nike boots and even came up with changes that they could make for certain boots to increase sales/profitability for each line. In fact, during this interview I presented my idea to put a carbon fiber base on the CTR to decrease the overall weight of the boot and make it more popular/profitable. It was at this point where i realized that i had a gift, and they later informed me that it was in the works. What do you know, the world cup is around the corner and the elite series is formed.


Furthermore, as the interview came to a close I was asked if I could create any boot what would I create and why?

My answer/idea for the Nike product development team:
I told the developers that I would create a hybrid boot between the CTR and the Total 90. The boot would combine the touch/comfort of the CTR with the power of the Total 90 series. With this boot I imagine a whole new technology in terms of where players using the boot would get their power and accuracy from. I would do away with the fins and plates like the current Total 90 model, which in my opinion is a dying boot that needs a revamp in terms of style and technology ASAP.

Furthermore, with this boot I would use the mold of the CTR for comfort but make the boot slip on so I could play around with different materials in order to make this boot a complete power boot, and not a market gimmick like the current T90 fins. Imagine the shape of a CTR that is sleek and is a slip on/features a hidden lace system, with a new upper/technology down the middle formed of a NEW hard rubber pattern similar to the first predator for an increase in surface area for a larger striking area that will aid in a players game to hit the target, improve accuracy/power.



In the end, I believe the combination of the two boots would compliment each other well and give Nike a new power boot.

What do you think Footy fans? Just wanted to share one of my crazy off the wall ideas. Will work on some sketches to show you more visually what the boot and concept could look like if developed.

Specs:
Name: Nike Vantage (subject to change)
Category: Power Line
Positions: forward, midfield,defender, and keeper
Upper: Kanga lite, synthetic/carbon fiber, and fly wire(instep, heel)
Outsole: lunar foam and carbon fiber
Weight: 9 oz.
Inspiration: Black Panther; sleek, strong, agile, and stealthy.
Details: Hybrid between CTR and Total 90 to form a new breed of power boot for team Nike.
Creator: Footy Guru

UMBRO GT PRO SPOT!

Darren Bent who is the endorser of the Umbro GT which I reviewed weeks ago sported the new color way this past weekend...The Black Cat’s striker was in the GT to showcase their new color way as they made their debut. Not a lot of people know about these boots or have taken a chance on these boots but in my opinion i believe these boots are one of the most underrated speed boots on the market in terms of comfort, style, and value. The boots look amazing on the pitch and you can but your dollars that i am picking these boot up!

Footy Guru Review of the Umbro GT Pro:
"Since being taken over by Nike, Umbro have made a splash in the soccer boot market in recent months with boots such as the reinvented Umbro Speciali and the Stealth Pro after being left in the dark for what seemed like decades. However, Umbro have come out with their newest boot, the GT Pro that I have been testing the past four months. In addition, these boots are the lightest that Umbro have ever made at 8.3 oz. and some of the features that they boast are a Teijin Microfiber upper which reduces the overall weight of the boot. Along with the ‘A Frame Cradle’ technology that acts as a support system, similar to Flywire connecting the soleplate up along either side of the boot to the laces, so that you have more support and it brings the boot closer to your foot.
When I first received these boots I was a little skeptical, but after testing them I admit I am now a huge fan. The boots were stylish, easy to break in and extremely effective on the field. With this boot, Umbro have done all of the little things right. The technology, style, comfort and price of this boot make it one of the most under rated speed boots on the market in my opinion. All around, the combination of the light Teijin Microfiber upper, cradle technology, along with the narrow last makes the Umbro GT Pro the ideal lightweight performance product built for speed.
In the end, the GT Pro is a blend of the classic Umbro look injected with Nike’s bold color ways and newest footwear technology. Since being bought by Nike the Umbro releases have improved in style/technology and in my opinion the GT Pro is another building block for the brand. Furthermore, I believe the GT Pro will offer a point of difference in soccer specialty and help Nike Soccer gain edge over Adidas."

Changes in performance/profitability:
Put this boot in soccer specialty stores, throughout North America.
Come out with more bold/flashy color ways to get consumers interested. Would be cool in an England or Ireland color way.
Product placement: Put this boot on more professional players.
Change in upper for different ball feel; kanga-lite or k-leather maybe.
Carbon fiber outsole to decrease weight of boot even more.
Make a hybrid version of the GT Pro and Super Fly. An elite combination of Umbro and Nike Football.

CTR II 2011 NEW COLOR

The Nike CTR 360 Maestri II (Blue/White/Black)color way will be released February 2011.

What do you think about this color and the boot?

NIKE SUPERFLY II- BLACK/ORANGE

Footy Guru Review of the SuperFLY II:

Review:

"Ideal if your an elite-level soccer player looking fo the ultimate performance boot. Nike SENSE forefoot studs, Flywire, and carbon fiber outsole are the key performance technologies that deliver dynamic speed, traction and performance on the field. In the end, this product is built for SPEED!"

Specs:
•Next-generation Nike Flywire technology in a streamlined upper for a lightweight, stronger, more dynamic fit
•Anatomically correct, contoured speed last mirrors the shape of the foot for an enhanced fit and feel
•Lightweight perforated sockliner for superior low profile cushioning and support while reducing cleat pressure for comfort
•Super-strong, super lightweight glass fiber composite plate at outsole that reacts to need for speed
•Strategically configured blades for superior footing and quick cuts in any direction
•Toe-off traction for bursts of speed
•Pressure-activated Adaptive Technology at forefoot for superior grip and acceleration on a variety of fields
•Firm-ground cleats (FG) for use on short-grass fields that may be slightly wet, but rarely muddy

"For me, its all about first-step acceleration, but twisting and turning around a defender is also important," said Real Madrid striker, 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year and Portugese star Cristiano Ronaldo. "The Mercurail Vapor SuperFly II helps me do both, so I can beat my opponent and create scoring opportunities."

SOLD YET?
It is that time of year again, and like adidas Nike is set to release new color ways for the new year. ABOVE, is the SUPERFLY II in an orange and black color way that is set to be released at the beginning of the new year 1/1/11. I can not remember that last time Nike released a black boot besides the Legend III, however i do not mind it and i think black goes with everything.

What do you think about the boots/ color?

2011 Boots!

Nike5 Elastico Finale

Nike5 Elastico Finale (pictured above)

-Revolutionary outsole technology enhances underfoot ball control in all directions
--Full transition lightweight outsole increases 360 degree ball control while enhancing touch for quick distribution
-Anatomically contoured barefoot construction provides a lightweight fit
-Forefoot debosed dots work with the Kanga-Lite synthetic leather upper to provide a soft touch, while amplifying touch under more impact.

Every Footy Players dream; just watch it.

The ad follows the fortunes of an unknown teenager who is plucked from a youth team game by Arsene Wenger and ends up starring for Arsenal and Holland.

ROBINHO AKA NIKE POSTER BOY IN ADIDAS BOOTS?

It looks as if Adidas has stolen another player from Nike. Shown below is Robinho wearing a blacked out version of the adizero this weekend in which he actually scored a goal while debuting the boots. This would be bad news for Nike because Robinho has been the poster boy for the Nike Super Fly/Mecurial Series.


In the past year, Nani, Dani Alves, and Anelka have made the switch to the Adidas f50adizero; along with a long list of amateurs players due to the price of the boot compared to Nike.



In the end, do you think the f50 is a better boot then the Super Fly?
Or is it all coming down to the price of the boot?