Messi speaking about the adiZERO, speed, & the game of football

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?

adiPOWER Predator TRX FG

With All the hype surrounding the adiPOWER vs the Kinetic debate, i believe that since adidas tradmarked the adiPOWER name/slogan that the Kinetic label is just simply smoke. Above is a recent image from an adidas catalog. I believe the Predator series will consist of the adiPOWER and the adiPOWER SL/ ELITE version of the boot to make two different price points. 

adiPOWR Predator: $220

adiPOWER Predator SL: $350

DB EXCLUSIVE Predator X Boot.

At the tail end of the MLS season David Beckham showcased a pair of new boots against the Seattle Sounders in the 2010 MLS Playoffs that sent footy fans like myself in a frenzy. Unlike any other Predator X, Beckham sported a white/navy color way which was only made exclusively for him. Below are pictures of these limited boots sported by the man, DB.

Specs of Pred X:

High-performance soccer boot offers a Taurus full-grain calf leather upper with opti-fit construction that creates an ergonomic performance fit for maximum control in movement. The Predator element is strategically placed to provide you with increased swerve, control and accuracy in any weather condition. In addition, comfort is a premium with the synthetic lining and anatomically molded EVA insole. The TraXion FG outsole gives superior grip on firm natural surfaces, while the internal chassis features the revolutionary powerspine, providing you with enhanced shooting power by minimizing energy loss while shooting. You will be a game-changing beast on the pitch in the adidas Predator X TRX FG. Wt. 11.4 oz.

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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

Nike CTR360 Maestri II- Nike on Development

By far the CTR360 has been Nike's best Football creation in the past decade... If you think I am wrong you have been living in a cave. Since it appeared on the pitch it has been nothing short of first class. It offers everything an elite boot has to offer; extreme comfort, sassy style, new technology that makes you question Nike's reasoning, and it is affordable aka not made of plastic! If you just look around the pitch defenders to forwards are wearing this boot. In my opinion, that says a lot about the product! 

Here is a video about the boot and the designer explains why they made the boot the way they did.


Key product features selling points:

• Asymmetrical lacing system expands the ball control area and features dampening pods for exceptional first touch.
• TPU pass pad and a memory foam insert at the instep to enhance control and touch to help distribute the ball with perfect balance of precision and pace.

Consumer profile: An ideal product if your an elite-level player who wants a boot that's designed with pinnacle performance features and crafted for accuracy and first touch.