Pele Trinity 3E Review

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a huge wave of publicity surrounding the release of the new and highly advanced Pele Sports Trinity. These boots are extremely unique, with Pele Sports gambling on the addition of new forms of technology to capture the attention of the market. It is the three stud heel design that has people talking, with many wondering what type of traction you can expect while wearing them. I initially tested a prototype pair, but finalized my review over the past week with the Black/Neon retail version in a size 9US.

Finding the Right Size
The first important aspect to consider in order to make the most of the Trinity is sizing. I wear a size 9US and tested a size 9US – they fit a half size long. Ultimately, an 8.5US would offer a much more snug fit. If you are going to buy a pair I strongly consider going down a half size. For players looking for a wide fit, these are a solid option, with the midfoot through forefoot allowing for adequate room.

Breaking In
You are not going to encounter any problems breaking in the Trinity. Everything about them is designed to give you good feel in the first few wears; it is one of the highlights of the boot. The Symbioskin upper (read about it below) is soft and molds very effectively to your fit. The soleplate also offers plenty of flexibility so you won’t need to worry about spending a great deal of time working it in. I started out wearing my pair for a short jogging session, but knew they were pretty much game ready – so I wore them the following weekend for 90 minutes without any problems.

Symbioskin Upper
A synthetic upper called Symbioskin is used on the Trinity. It has been specifically developed just for this boot and is basically a low density, tri-laminate material. Because the material is so thin, you get great feel on the ball. This makes them ideal for quick players who like to look up and survey space in front of them. Something that is unique about the upper is the laminate grooves right throughout. There are 3 systems within this that allow the boots to really envelop your foot. The real benefit behind this, in my opinion, is that you get a fit that has room to stretch out as you put your foot in. This also offers medium players the opportunity to wear them in a similar fashion to what a wide foot player would. Pele Sports are also releasing a narrow and wide version of the boot to cater for different players!

Another positive about the upper is that it is not rigid, something that we have seen in uppers of other lightweight boots – like the Superfly for example. This means you are getting a far more responsive material, aiding your control.

Extreme Speed Boot
At a mere 5.6oz, these boots are designed for out and out speed, matching some of the lightest boots on the market. One concern this raises is that of durability, but thanks to Pele Sports collaboration with Formula One engineers to formulate a solid boot that offers long lasting wear. Having wore them 6-7 times at this stage, I have to admit that they still look pretty brand new. The Symbioskin upper is extremely durable and doesn’t scuff/mark easily. The soleplate is really scientific, with a dual density polymer created through molecular manipulation, resulting in optimized rigidity directly aligned to the overall bio-mechanics of the foot. Basically, it is slightly rigid to start but extremely light and durable through wear.

Innovative Stud Configuration
It is not difficult to spot the differences between the soleplate on the Trinity compared to any other boot on the market! Five blades on the front and 3 on the back make for one of the most unusual configurations you will ever see. On first impression, it seems very daunting and I have to admit that I was nervous testing them out for the first time. The idea of playing with 3 misaligned studs at the back goes against the norm, you grow up expecting at least 2-4 parallel studs to keep you stable in play. Pele Sports claim that “The extreme position of the rear tripod studs trigger earlier ground contact and stability with high velocity release and the forefoot studs permit excellent traction and explosive acceleration.”

The big question, how do they test? Without over exaggerating, there is something about this configuration that actually makes you feel more stable on your feet! I was under the impression that the boot would easily wobble from side to side, but this is absolutely not the case! There is no rolling or movement whatsoever. I have had the opportunity to test them out on both grass and turf surfaces, with positive results on both. The boots hold firm without sticking, giving you the ability to accelerate and stride when needed, and also take quick steps when getting out of tight spaces.

They remind me of…
Several players have brought up the fact that these boots remind them of the older Mercurial ranges. I have to agree that they do and this could be one of the most smartest moves seen on the market in recent years! Players loved the old school Nike range and because they are not available anymore, why not replace them!! So, if you are looking for an alternative….meet the Trinity!

Negatives
Sizing is obviously a negative. The boot fits longer than your regular release, which will result in players needing to swap for a new pair. My advice is to order a half size down. I also had some problems with toe-off action. Basically, the tip of the soleplate is slick with groves that go down to the toe. There is nothing in the region to grip the surface as you turn sharply and accelerate off. It is really only an issue when your knee is positioned closer to the ground, visualize the motion of pushing off with your foot fully flexed.

Summary
This is an exciting release from Pele Sports and it really ups their value in the market. For those that decide to pick up a pair, you won’t be disappointed as you are getting a very tidy package that offers something you won’t find elsewhere. But, moving away from the norm can be challenging at times and a retail price of $200 might be hefty for some. You need to weigh up exactly what the boot has to offer and factor that in with what you are getting. I am fascinated with Pele Sports decision to push boundaries and unleash a three stud design. Add to that you are getting a durable upper that is going to last right through your season (plus more if you really take care of them!) and there is a lot to consider here. In terms of player position, I can see fast forwards and wingers benefiting most. They are a match for many other positions on the field, but this category of player will find them most effective.

(*boots supplied for review by Pele Sports)