You might have noticed I tend to post plenty of pictures of the boot wall in my office on social media. Not surprisingly, they tend to be some of the more popular pics with followers. As a result I also get a lot of questions that go along with them, so I wanted to run through and answer a few here.

First off, it is important to note I see myself more as a boot tester than a collector. It is really cool to be able to keep boots that I really like and enjoyed testing, but I don’t go out trying to add the most collectable boots. My ultimate goal is to test and experience the boots so I can share feedback. As a result, a lot of the boots on the wall have been worn several times, then cleaned up. Or in some cases, I was able to test a different colorway and keep the pair on the wall exclusively for images. There are so many true collectors out there that have incredible collections, I think it is important to acknowledge I’m not in their bracket of coolness!

Second, so many of you spot the fact there is only one of each boot on the wall and the boot shelf. I keep the left boot of each pair out, and leave the right boot in the original box, in my garage. Most importantly, this allows for more space. And having the same left boot of each pair allows me a quick and easy way to be able to reference and compare. All I need to do is turn around, grab a boot and I am able to discern the information I’m needing. On occasion, I’ll need to take a pair out to wear and test. In those instances, I just walk out to the garage and source the right boot.

Finally, so many of you ask how I choose what to put on the wall. Well, being honest, there is no set logic. I chop and change them around a lot. In fact, sometimes I’ll take a pair down for images, and when I get back inside, I just put up the first boot that comes to hand. There are times when I’ll look to create a cool pattern or showcase a particular brand a little more. If you ever want to see a cool pattern or style, let me know! Always willing to change it up for images you’d like to see.

Below is a pic of the current boot wall, taken this morning and shared on our Instagram and Twitter pages. Is there any particular boot that stands out most to you?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Some of the choices currently sitting on the #bootwall. Is there a boot that stand out more than the rest to you?

A post shared by SoccerCleats101 (@soccercleats101) on May 7, 2020 at 11:17am PDT

The post What Boots Are Currently On The Boot Wall? appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

The release of the “Future DNA Mercurial” got me thinking about the Nike Mercurial Vapor V colorway that they were based off of. So, I did a little searching and managed to pick up a brand new pair of the original Risk Red’s! I won’t tell you how much I ended up paying for them, but it was an absolute steal.

Released in 2009, the Vapor V used Flywire technology through the instep to allow for a lightweight cleat that weighed in at 8.4oz. What makes them really unique is that unmistakable lace cover. It was a synthetic piece added to increase the strike zone for better contact when striking the ball. It did create a challenge; how do you get underneath to play with the lacing. But, it definitely served a valid purpose by creating that ultra clean playing surface. Underfoot, the traction system was wild, built for pure speed. Nike placed an extra blade on the outsole for increased surface traction. Cristiano Ronaldo, Pato and Robinho were all players involved in the process of creating this cleat.

Along with all the positives and the cool upgrades to this version of Vapor, many will remember these as a boot that caused many blisters. They just weren’t that comfortable on foot. I got reports from friends, who also wear the Vapor V back in the day, that they encountered some blisters after wearing the cleats in a game on day 1. The upper and soleplate were very stiff compared to modern releases, and if you ever put on a pair you are probably familiar with that “squelch” sound when you squeezed a foot into one. And, it was always the type of boot you needed to go up a half size in to get the right fit.

If you are interested in reliving a classic look, and want to spend some time finding a pair, the best place to look is on eBay. As I said above, I got this pair at an incredible price – below $100!!! You just need to take some time to research and find the best deals available.

The post Cleatology – Revisiting the Nike Vapor V in “Risk Red” appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

The below advertisement was posted in the April 20th 1983 edition of MATCH magazine.

In an effort to ensure these types of advertising are not lost to time, we are going to run a series of articles to archive them. We hope that is serves as a perfect way to remember old school boots, and the thought process put behind their design and development.

Zico is becoming a legend these days. In the top class of South American players, this Brazilian joins the great names in football history. When Zico plays it’s beautiful to behold. Thousands of miles away, Glenn Hoddle of Tottenham and Wim Kieft, Europe’s best goalscorer of 1982, spark off thunderous applause from the terraces. When Hoddle and Kieft play they mean business.

The secret of Zico, Glenn Hoddle and Kieft:

Yet these 3 players have one thing in common: their boots. Le Coq Sportif’s Roma 8, with exclusive novel features that set it apart. Just count the studs: there are 8, 2 at back and 6 at the front, every one scientifically placed to reduce pressure to a minimum. Roma 8s are more comfortable and less tiring. What’s more, they do not sink so much into the ground; an advantage in the wet. Finally there is greater adhesion. The foot does not slip so much on the ground.

8 Studs and that’s not all:

Roma 8s have many other strong points, such as the raised shank at the back, for example: the heel is raised by 6 mm and this gives it added drive to gain that tenth of a second which spells victory. And there’s another thing. The Roma 8 laces right up to the front of the foot and thus holds it securely yet comfortably. The special cut of the padded stiffener that protects the Achilles tendon yet gives full freedom of movement to prevent blisters. An inner sole reduces stud pressure and moulds to the contours of the foot.

These are just some of the Roma 8’s outstanding features, otherwise nothing has changed. Neither the quality of the carefully selected full grain leather nor the sturdiness of a sole designed to cope with the most extreme weather conditions. Le Coq Sportif has given the Roma 8 the benefit of all the experience it has in these matters for you can never do enough to merit the confidence of such champions as Zico, Glenn Hoddle and Wim Klieft.

What really matters is to keep lengths ahead at all times. A golden rule Le Coq Sportif shares with a great many champions all over the world.

The post Le Coq Sportif: The Secret Of The 8 Studs appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

Since I moved to Japan earlier this year I have learned a lot more about the Japanese football market. Before my move, I knew some of the boots big brands made specifically for the Japanese market. But since then I have found out about a lot more boots that are only available in Japan.

The reason for this is that the Japanese market is extremely competitive and every brand pushes for the consumers attention. Japanese brands such as Mizuno and Asics dominate the market, leaving other brands to try and gain a decent foothold. Of these other brands, Adidas and Puma are successful and though Nike’s penetration in the market isn’t as deep as other places, as per usual they have a share of the market. Umbro and Hummel have both built a decent space for themselves here as well, though Hummel seems to be concentrating more on futsal these days. New Balance and Under Armour are trying to become more successful but without much luck so far. Diadora also has a presence here, but their boots are not different from the international releases. Kappa and Lotto also used to sell here but they both dropped out of the footwear market, though Kappa still is the kit supplier for several teams. There are other Japanese brands contesting for space in the market as well, namely Adler (who I have written on before), as well as Athleta and Svolme.

It is because of this I figured I would highlight some boots from each of these brands!

Mizuno

Mizuno are well known for their high quality made in Japan boots all over the world. They are also very dominant in their home market, with a market spread here similar to what Nike has in the US. The brand’s Runbird logo can be seen on pitches everywhere in Japan.

Mizuno Rebula MiJ

We have featured these boots here recently, so there’s no need to recap tech specs. But what is interesting is the difference price between Japan and everywhere else. The Rebula retails for a cheaper price in Japan. Of course, the main reason for this because they don’t need to be exported. The Morelia IIs are also priced less here, for example. People here were shocked at how expensive they were priced, given that Mizuno normally doesn’t go above the $200 price point for boots in Japan. Despite the higher price, the Rebulas still sold out almost everywhere immediately.

Monarcida 2 Neo Japan and Monarcida 2 Japan

Both boots are available in Japan as budget MiJ options. They are popular here because they offer Made in Japan quality for a more reasonable price, as both boots retail around $100 cheaper than the international price. The Monrcida 2 Neo is based on the Morelia Neo 2 and has the non-slip insole that was found in the Basara, whilst the Monarcida 2 Japan is based on the Morelia II. These two boots both have a kangaroo leather forefoot with the rest of the boots being made of synthetic leather.

Asics

Asics actually left the US soccer market January of 2016, but in spite of that some people are aware of the two more popular boots they sold in the US, the DS Light and the DS Light X Fly, though the DS Light X Fly available here is made in Japan.

Menace 3

This boot features a seemless synthetic leather forefoot with a slight texturing added to the upper for grip on the ball. It also features Asics’ 10mm HG plate but the studs themselves are actually shorter than previous Asics boots that have featured the heel lift, such as the Testimonials. Interestingly, the previous models of the Menace also came in a k leather model with a slightly off-centered lacing. The newest model has the lacing moved more towards the center. The studs are rounded but have a slight shape on the bottom to achieve more grip.

Lethal Legacy

These boots come with a k leather forefoot and a synthetic rear. The instep is slightly rubberized for grip with a bit of padding added for ball control. This boot also includes the 10mm HG system and more studs which makes it closer to a hard ground soleplate (more on those soon). Intriguingly, under the ball of the boot the soleplate has three small studs to provide more grip. The boot also features suede on the inside of the heel.

Adidas

Adidas has a decent sized hold in the market here. Not only do they make the national team jerseys but they also a fairly popular when it comes to boots. Almost all of Adidas’ boots (aside from the PureSpeed, PureControl and the Nemiziz 17+) are offered in a unique hard ground soleplate. These plates are specifically developed for the Japanese market. So, while FG plates are also offered here, most stores focus mostly on the HG plates.

Nemiziz 17.1 HG

This boot is mostly the same as the boots offered internationally (like other Adidas boots sold in Japan) except for a few things. Firstly, the HG soleplate and secondly the addition of an extra piece of synthetic on the front of the toe box to provide more durability.

Pathiqe Gloro 16.1 HG

This one is quite interesting because the Gloro 16.1 is also sold in Japan. The Pathiqe Gloro is advertised as boot made specifically for Japanese players. It has a stitched leather forefoot as well as a soleplate that still has the space for the MiCoach! The Pathiqe line has been around for a very long time with the first model appearing the early 2002.

Puma

Of all of the international brands, Puma has probably catered the most to the Japanese market by not only offering Japan-only boots, such as the recently discontinued ParaMexico, but also by re-creating several models specifically for Japan. This is on top of offering all their models that can be found overseas in HG plates as well.

One J1 HG

This recently released boot only slightly resembles the regular model of the One. It has an HG variation of the soleplate. Most of the boot is covered in a high-quality k leather upper and has suede inner lining. The tongue is made from a mesh material and the boot itself is built on a wide “J last” as Puma Japan calls it. This boot is also made in Japan! There are also takedown models as well, the J2 and the J3.

EvoTouch J Pro HG

This boot also comes with a k leather upper and again it does not have the same collar as the international release. Instead it has a thicker, tall heel counter. This insole included is also thinker and the boot has an HG soleplate (noticing a theme?), as well as a wide last. It appears that these will actually outlast the lifespan of the international release of the EvoTouch given that new colours were just released. These are also currently worn by King Kazu (Kazuyoshi Muira) who is still playing pro at the aged of 50!

Nike

A brand that dominates the US market and has a large share of Europe’s, Nike doesn’t have quite the same market share in Japan as it does in those markets. Even so, Nike still remains popular here. Nike’s knits models are not offered in the HG soleplate but every other Nike model is.

Mercurial Vapor XI HG

Though the rest of the boot is pretty much the same as the Vapor that is available elsewhere I wanted to point out this boot in particular because of the soleplate that is used. It is an HG soleplate that has been used on the past few models of the Mercurial Vapor that was sold here. It is also reminiscent of Nike’s old Versatract soleplate, which was a particular favourite of mine.

Super Ligera 3

Now I am going to cheat a little bit here because the Super Ligera series is no longer available (though there is a take-down of the current Legend called the Tiempo Ligera) and this boot has been featured elsewhere before but the Super Ligera is in my opinion the best boot series Nike ever made. Even after it was discontinued elsewhere, the Super Ligera series had two more models released in Japan. Interestingly the HG soleplate that was used on the Super Ligera 3 is now used on the Tiempo Legend HGs that are sold here.

Umbro

Japan rarely sees the same release as the rest of the world when it comes to Umbro. The Medusae II Elites did see a release here but almost none of the Japanese athletes sponsored by Umbro wear those boots. Instead Umbro Japan has its own silos of football boots that are not found elsewhere and even the kit designs for professional clubs are completely different.

Accerator Pro

I know what you are thinking. “Shouldn’t it say Accelerator Pro?” Well it does, and it doesn’t. This is because of the Japanese language the L/R sounds gets combined. So while the boots themselves say Accerator on them, they are known as the Accelerator Pro. This silo has been around for over 15 years here.  The newest model has a K-leather forefoot with “U Grip coating” added to portions of the leather for control. The also have Umbro’s A-frame that has been found on other boots in the past as well as a suede heel-liner. What is interesting is that these boots have several different configurations. They are available with a round-stud sole plate or a bladed soleplate. There is an “Elite” version of this shoe that is made of an artificial leather. There is even a spin off model available called the Gale. Even the takedown models have K leather. These are most famously worn by Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka) and Gaku Shibasaki (Getafe FC).

Hades Claw Pro

This is a synthetic speed boot that was recently released by Umbro here. Its upper is made up of an artificial leather and a zig-zag grip control surface added to the upper. The upper is also mostly seamless and even though the boot is listed as being suitable for HG/AG surfaces it has fairly large bladed studs on the bottom of the boot. It is built on a wider last as well, which is rare for a speed boot. What is interesting about this boot is that instead of having a soleplate made from TPU, as is found on most boots produced, it is made from a material called Septon Resin which was created by a company Kuraray (who produced the upper on the Mizuno Wave Ghost 3s). Presumably, this is a softer material that causes less pressure on the bottom of the feet.

Hummel

In a previous article, I had mentioned how Hummel had managed to build a decent amount of sales in Japan even while the company struggled abroad. As mentioned earlier the company mostly focuses on Futsal though (which has massive participation here as well) but they have at least had a new release recently. Though they are not as popular as others, the company seems to do just enough to have a spot in the market.

Vorart Pro

Another boot that features a K leather forefoot with a synthetic heel, the Vorart tries to differentiate itself by the reset of the market by being a cheaper alternative to other brands. The boot also has suede lining and an insole that is lined in a synthetic type of suede. It also a big X in the middle of the soleplate to allow for more flexibility and there is a slight X shape on the bottom of the studs to allow for more grip, though it doesn’t seem significant enough to make a difference.

New Balance

New Balance is somewhat popular in Japan due to their range of lifestyle shoes. Their football boots are found in many stores (in my local shop has them and they don’t even carry Puma) but that are not very popular. One of the biggest complaints from players here are that the boots are too stiff, especially in the forefoot and the upper. Despite this, I have seen a couple of amateur players wearing them.

Furon Pro HG

The Furon and the Visaro are both available in Japan with a Japan-specific HG soleplate. The plate used on the Visaro is a decent size for hard ground and artificial pitches, but for some reason the Furon was equipped with massive HG studs. Not only are they taller than the studs found on the FG plate, they are also extremely broad, and they almost seem more suited to firm to soft ground rather than what the intended use was. However, the players that I have seen wearing New Balance almost always wear the Furon. This could be because New Balance does offer their boots in a 2E width and it is rare to find speed boots that fit wide, which as can be seen from other boots in this article, Japanese players tend to have wider feet.

Under Armour

UA is another brand that had developed boots specifically for the Japanese market. Recently though they have begun to take the same approach as other international companies that sell boots here. This being that they are making the same boots as they do elsewhere but the addition on an HG soleplate.

Freely KL

Once again, I’m cheating because this boot has been discontinued by UA Japan. It went through three iterations before the plug was pulled and it was quite popular as even now I’ve seen a few pairs knocking about on pitches. It checked all the marks for a Japan-only boot; K leather forefoot, synthetic heel, suede liner, external heel cup and HG soleplate. It also had UA’s Charged Insole. At present, a few stores still seem to have some pairs and have jacked up the price on them accordingly. Now the eagle-eyed among you might recognize these boots. These were worn by Justin Morrow of Toronto FC while playing for the US during the 2017 Gold Cup, which I personally thought was random, but it was one of the boots I believe that UA should have released overseas as well.

Adler

Long-time readers will know I have a massive soft spot for Adler, who manufactures all their football boots in Japan. We’ve called them the “Japanese Pantofola D’Oro” before and I’m still inclined to agree with this. All of the boots are hand-made in one factory. Recently, the company seems to be somewhat on a rebound, notably because they actually have a website again and seem to be offered in more stores. There are not many people wearing Adler, but similar to the Mizuno diehards (myself included) found outside of Japan, Adler has a strong following among some players.

Girona MS

Full K leather upper with “brushed” suede lining. The outsole is stitched to upper to make the boot more durable and the stitching the upper is apparently done in a way to provide more stability and prevent over-stretching. Adler really pushes the idea that the boots are very durable and given my personal track record with their boots I’m inclined to believe them. What is weird though is that this boot is called lightweight by the brand and although 8.4 oz. isn’t particularly heavy, its certainly heavier than other boots on the market. Though given that this boot is more classically styled, it is easy to understand that the weight is not all that important. Add that the to the fact that the boot is quite cheaper than others (around $115) and that it is hand-made it is quite a bargain. The white/black colour is the only look available but it does look quite nice.

Nantes MS

The Nantes MS is a made from a synthetic leather upper and is slightly lighter than the Girona. It is also hand made and having personally tried them on, they feel quite nice given the sub $100 price point. It also has the “brushed” suede lining and the same stitching pattern. It is only available in an all-white colorway.

Athleta

One of several Japanese brands that is heavily inspired by Brazilian football culture (another being LUZeSOMBRA), and has even begun to make some inroads into Brazil itself. The brand originally only made apparel only but in March 2016 they introduced their football line. They company has made a little bit of impact in the market and has made things easier for themselves but keeping their footwear line small.

O-Rei A001

This was the first boot released by Athleta and they have kept things simple. The features a fully K leather upper and that feels really soft and plush, an external heel cup and a TPU soleplate with round studs. The soleplate has two spines that reduce flexibility in the middle and while maintaining a more flexible forefoot. The boot originally released with a black/gold colorway and silver colorway. More recently, the brand has also released a white/gold color which looks excellent. There is also a take-down model with a K leather forefoot and an even cheaper model with a synthetic upper. Both of the take down models receive color updates more frequently, with the top of the model keeping consistent with just the two colorways continually available.

Svolme

Originally Svolme only created futsal but has made boots for several years now. The brand still mostly focuses on futsal shoes rather than outdoor boots, with only one style being made that comes in two flavours: K leather and Synthetic. The brand mostly focuses on apparel, with many shops carrying the brand’s apparel but mostly only one style of their futsal shoes. Even so, the company has tried to stand out in the past by producing some ridiculous colour combos (Pink/Light Blue/Bright Yellow strike anyone’s fancy?).

DelSalma 4 LE

The K leather model of the DelSalma has…you guessed it, K leather forefoot, synthetic heel, suede liner. The DelSalma also has a “support gauge” to stop the foot from sliding side to side while playing. Other than that, the boot comes in a Black/Pink or a White/Pink/Bright Yellow colourway.

DalSalma 4 SL

As for the synthetic model, it actually features the same material for the upper that was featured on several models of the Mercurial Vapor, Teijin synthetic. Teijin is a Japanese company, so it is not too surprising to find their material used on Japanese brands’ boots. The material also apparently has some slight stretch to it but I have never played in them personally so I cannot confirm this fact. Black/Pink and Bright Yellow are the two color choices.

Conclusion

As we can see from all the different boots offered on the Japanese market we can see a lot of similarities. Many boots have a K leather forefoot, synthetic heel, suede lining, and an HG soleplate. Many of these HG soleplates are designed to be used on artificial grass as well. Looking at these similarities we can get a feel for what is popular among players in Japan. Many players still stick to kangaroo leather for their boots and many of these boots are made to be more durable. In fact, almost every boot I have mentioned in this article has the upped riveted to the soleplate, which adds durability.

So, how can brands distinguish themselves when so many produce similar boots? A lot of times its similar to anywhere else, it comes down to price, preference and recommendations from other players. For many leather boot fans, the Japanese market is like some sort of paradise where every single brand brings their own K leather boot to market. From my point of view, I can easily recommend most of them. If you ever get the chance to visit Japan, it is highly recommended to pick a pair of Japan-only leather boots whilst you are here.

The post Cleatology – Boots In Japan You Might Not Have Heard Of appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

With so much talk focused on Predator remakes this past week, it only makes sense to have a throwback and revisit a classic that we picked up recently. Released in 2009, the adidas Predator PowerSwerve Rome celebrated that season’s Champions League final that took place in Rome.

At the time of release, adidas listed these as a Black/Metallic Gold/Cardinal Red. The boot starts with a supple, traditional black leather as the base and Metallic Gold is used as the feature detail color including a unique gold Colosseum style design lining inside the boot. As you’d expect from a Predator release, the PowerSwerve was designed with adidas technology to help increase power, swerve and accuracy. SmartFoam is used through the vamp area and the iconic PowerPulse system within the sole. When we talk PowerPulse, the chambers in the sole are filled with tungsten powder to shift weight when you strike the ball and help elevate strike power.

In terms of design, these really grasp your attention right from the moment you open the box. Mixing a black k-leather upper with gold detailing is something we really don’t get enough of these days.

And on that note, can we just take a minute to appreciate the actual construction of this particular Predator silo? We live in a completely different era right now when boots are pieced together in a very different way. Everything about the PowerSwerve is built for power, and there is an air of invincibility about what they have on offer. There was a definite focus on overall durability, with pairs designed to last longer than 2 months! While weight wasn’t a primary factor in the creation process (they weigh in at 10oz) no one really complained. Instead, they found ways to utilize the added elements that made them the ideal accomplice for players wanting to steal a goal every time they took a shot. The over-sized, wrap around tongue also complimented the warrior like appearance. There was no need for lightweight materials or a mid-cut collar. They played to a players strengths and provided perfect shape, form and functionality in the process.

Brands now create re-releases, but rather than heading down the original route they favor more modern materials that don’t serve the same purpose. You can’t replicate a style like this, instead you can only relive what the original version had to offer. There will absolutely be a time when I break these back out to play, and I’ll make sure to enjoy every touch on the ball that I can. Until then, they are going to be safely stowed away, ready to make a roaring entrance when the right opportunity presents!

If you are looking to secure a pair, the only place you will really find them is on eBay, searching for “Predator PowerSwerve Rome“. As of posting, there were two pairs available worldwide so finding a pair might take some patience and attentiveness. Alternatively, search for pairs of Predator Powerswerve and there are a lot more options to choose from!

Anyone wear or currently own a pair of these boots? What are your thoughts on how they perform to more modern style releases? I’m interested to hear your thoughts and if you’d buy a pair of the originals if they were readily available.

The post Cleatology – adidas Predator PowerSwerve “Rome” appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

A brand we don’t get to feature on here very much these days is Hummel. And there is a story behind why. As part of our Cleatology series, we take a look back at the Hummel Professional, a boot that came out way back in early 2004 as part of Hummel’s “Vault Series”, which was actually released in the US at the time. The boots in this Vault series were all handmade in Japan and produced in very limited quantities. While most boots (then and now) are machine-stitched, the boots in this series were all stitched by hand and made from a high-quality kangaroo leather.

Now, here is where things get interesting; they were also some of the first boots to retail above $300, with the Professional coming in at a whopping $400! Also included in the was the Aficionado (retailing at $300), the Golden Goal (retailing at $350). This was at a time when the Adidas F50 retailed at $150 and the Mercurial Vapor retailed at $175. Thus, putting these boots out the price range of most. In releasing these products, Hummel sought to create a high-end, luxury market for soccer.

Moving on to the model in hand, the entire upper is made with an excellent kangaroo leather that still feels soft and supple even though the boots are now 13 years old! It is fairly thin and not overly cushioned which allows the boots to have a fairly close to foot touch on the ball (for a leather boot that is). The heel is lined with suede that is among the best I have ever felt. It is a classic boot in terms of tech specs but there are a couple of bells and whistles that we can tell you about.

The soleplate is Hummel’s HGL plate which at the time was considered by Hummel to it’s lightweight plate layout. The soleplate also has a honeycomb air insert in the heel to provide cushioning and to reduce pressure on the player’s heel. Think of it as Hummel’s take on Nike’s air system. Another thing that interesting about the soleplate is that instead of having only the 4 studs that you would normally find on most firm ground boots, this particular model had five studs in the back, with two of the rear studs being placed on instep of the heel. This is something that could later be found on models like the Puma V-Konstrukt and the later Puma Powercats. The studs themselves were even hollow so as to make the weight of the soleplate even lighter by standards of the time. This allowed the boot weigh in around 9.4 oz. – not light by today’s standards but when the boot was released in 2004 it made the boots lighter than most.

The insole also slightly different than what could be found in most other boots. Predating most other tech of this type by several years the insoles have a grippy and almost rubbery material in the heel portion to stop the foot from sliding around the boot as easily, much like how Under Armour’s 4D insole works. The insole feels thick and nicely cushioned however this was fairly standard at the time as many companies did not make boots as light as most are now because of technical limitations.

Hummel failed in their task to create a high-end market for soccer, mostly because the boots were never on enough players’ feet and not enough money was spent on marketing. Although Hummel was around in the US market the next few years by 2006 they faded away from selling product in the US. Even though the Vault Series was supposedly only released in the US the boots were also released in Japan, the country they were produced in. Some of boots even had different names in Japan with the Golden Goal being called the Mexico ’86 and the Professional having its name changed to the Legenda. This was the start of a good run in Japanese market for Hummel and the company continued to produce Made in Japan boots exclusively for this market. The HGL soleplate was particularly popular and was used on six different models over the next few years, with the last appearing in 2009.

Hummel has never quite reached the same heights as before and unfortunately the first ever high-end luxury boot series is largely forgotten. With most boots these days easily hitting the $300 mark and most limited edition boots going for more finding a boot these day above $200 is the norm. In a way, the market now has high-end luxury boots and even hand-made boots are becoming easier to find. Hummel may have failed but the market succeeded.

The post Cleatology – The “High-End Luxury” Hummel Professional appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

What do we know about these absolutely classy looking Tony Iammatteo boots? I’ll be honest; not a great deal actually!

These came into our hands about a year ago and I’ve been holding off posting about them in hopes of finding out some more. Where did they come from? An basement in DC, where they had been in storage for over two decades along with a whole host of other old school boots. Incredibly, they have held up really well and look like a boot in unused condition – maybe even brand new. What a find, right?

The materials used in the boot are of the highest quality. We can’t confirm the upper material, but it has the feel and smell of a traditional K-leather. Across the front of the boot, layered stitches was added to allow for some stretch in the material. The upper to soleplate has been firmly glued and there are definitely some smaller nails in place supporting a tight fit. Flip them over and you can see that a full bodied layer of stitching was also used to keep things locked in place.

The sole is very old-school, with a blast of low profile conical studs layering from front to back. There are 9 studs dispersed across the forefoot, with 4 sitting on the heel. That would make them ideal for FG or even HG surfaces. The tongue is oversized to add to the visual appearance, and there is also a additional piece of leather added to the heel sporting the “TI” initials.

What we do know is that the designer was an Italian born designer named Tony Iammatteo, who immigrated to Canada in 1955.

After founding Cristina Shoe Company in 1962, his artistic flare and passion for design was quickly recognized when Tony was awarded the Oscar for International Design in 1970, in Torino Italy. Cristina Shoe Company went on to become one of the most prominent and fashion oriented footwear manufacturers in Canada. Tony’s passion was not only evident in family, business and culture; he was also dedicated to his love for soccer and sports. Tony’s dream of promoting soccer to young athletes became a reality when he founded Les Castors de Montreal in 1976. He successfully organized many international soccer matches, attracting teams from both Europe and South America. Tony was also a founding member of La Federazione delle Associazione Molisane and the founder of Il Settimanale, a weekly Italian newspaper.

Now we are relying on you guys for any additional info. Anybody know exactly what these are or have some insight into Tony Iammatteo boots? If so, let us know in the comments. I’m hoping someone out there might have owned a pair at some point!

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With the upcoming release of the Tiempo Legend “Touch Of Gold”, we wanted to take a look back at the Nike Air Legend Tiempo released in 2005 via “Crossbar,” the first YouTube video to garner a million views.

The original version offered an unmistakable look, with an all-white upper and exquisite golden accents. This was a period when Ronaldinho’s status as one of the best players in the world was coming to fruition. He was named best player in the world in 2005, for a second year running. This version became synonymous with the elegant performances of R10 and really stands out as one of the more memorable releases of our time.

A soft k-leather upper was matched with Nike Zoom Air technology through the footbed. This was a boot that provided clean touch and control on the ball, while offering players all the modern perks found in a generational release.

At the time of release, weight wasn’t a key focus in boot performance, so the 11oz weight wasn’t considered a negative. In today’s world, that number has dramatically dropped and the “Touch Of Gold” version is set to weigh in at 8.4oz.

If you want to find a pair of the 2005 Air legends, you can still find pairs on eBay. Price is obviously the big drawback at this point, with inflated prices due to lack of availability. But, there are still pairs if you want to invest.

Otherwise, September 2nd is the date that 3,000 special edition pairs of the “Touch Of Gold” will be available – at soccer.com. We will update with details on when/where they are available to help you secure a pair before the sell out. Stay tuned for more updates!

The post Cleatology – The Original Nike Air Legend Tiempo R10 appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

We love the innovation process of a boot release, when the designers are coming up with prototypes and ideas as they look to create the perfect boot. Last year, we were offered an up close look at the Nike Magista Obra Prototype story, with images of the boots in play. Well, here is an even better look at the silo’s creation at different stages.

Nike had been working on the boot for over 4 years, with each of the steps providing them with a more progressive evolution of the range. You start to understand the ideas they played with, what technology was included, and where the design finally found its inspiration. If you look at the top image, you will notice it holds the “Maestri” naming convention on the collar – leading to the conclusion that the “Magista” silo was decided upon later in the process. We have heard that Nike made a last minute decision to pull an upgraded version of the CTR360 Maestri before deciding to create a new silo. Could this be the actual boot?

Take a look at all the boots, and let us know in the comments “which version or stage of the boot you would have selected to test out, if you had got the chance?” There are still several pairs of these prototypes kicking around – so someone might even end up with their own unique pair!

For everything Magista, head over to soccer.com.

The post Cleatology – The Best of Nike Magista Obra Prototypes! appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

Going back to 2009 we have here the Puma v1.08 Tricks. Adidas, Nike and Puma were well into the speed boot race in 2008 when the v1.08 was unleashed. Adidas had the interchangeable and customizable f50.8, Nike had the lightest boot at the time in the form of the Vapor IV (7.4 oz) and Puma had the v1.08 with off beat and innovative materials.

Each boot got its following and those who remember each version fondly. But the Puma Tricks edition of the v1.08 is by far the fiercest looking speed boot to be released and it even beats out most other speed boot colorways released more recently save fore some of the f50 colorways.

With an aggressive stud pattern, x-ray design and pattern that resembles the folds in the human brain the Puma tricks stands out from the bunch. The tech in the boot is also pretty impressive, even by todays standards. The boots came with a nifty card detailing the tech and construction.

• UNI Construction, It is constructed in such a way that there is no glue used and the upper and outsole aren’t lasted together, stitching is used to hold everything together. The outsole is split in two to decrease weight and make mid-foot fit more comfortable. It also compliments the Puma Aptolast which we see on even current releases, made to create a glove like fit (thats why the toebox is shaped the way it is)
• ConTec upper, this is the stand out material in the upper. It is textile coated with light weight PU and reinforced with microfiber. It creates a lightweight and durable upper that offers good touch on the ball
• Carbon Fiber Internal Chassis, Puma have given this boot a pretty nifty back bone. You can take it out for closer inspection but it is a TPU frame with varying density depending on the area of the foot (soft in the arch, firm in the heel) and a carbon fiber plate in the forefoot. It does come with a warning not to fold chassis to or past 90 degrees

It may not be considered old but they sure don’t make em quite like they used to. It harks back to the days where high end boots came with special bags and tags detailing tech and specs. In some regards speed boots have become more simplified, we don’t see as many bits in pieces put into a boot as we used to.

It was a pretty rare find and they are available for purchase on amazon.com – for $81 they are very much worth picking up. They came shipped from England (freeshipping) so they took a few weeks to show up.

They come with original packaging including shoe box, slick boot bag, and all the stickers and labels they were stuck with when they were first rolled out. For those who would like to know how these perform they have been reviewed and Bryan himself might just cave and buy up a pair before they run out. Fit wise they run a bit tight so a half size up would be a good choice for some.

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