Pirma Supreme III Review

A company that has consistently flown right under the radar is Pirma. The Mexican brand has not really pushed any advertising on the US market, which is surprising considering players continually rave about their value for money. The Pirma Supreme III is a boot built as a primed, low maintenance, economical alternative to the likes of the F50 adiZero and Vapor VIII. You are not getting the same type of performance so the important question is then how do they compare when price is factored in?

To find out, I picked up a pair of size 9US in the Sky Blue colorway for comparison. In terms of retail, the Supreme III comes in at an affordable $69.99 price at soccer.com.

Breaking In
This is the second pair of Pirma boots I have tested out, and this section could honestly be copied and pasted from the Monaco III review…..with one minor exception. Starting off, the upper has a smooth plastic feel about it, and as a result I was expecting to encounter some sort of “teething” issues. But, it actually wasn’t the case and right from first wear they felt comfortable and touch on the ball was efficient. It is something that I can’t really explain, but if you notice the same thing rest assured that is doesn’t prove problematic. Unlike many of the top ranges, these offer no fancy additives through the upper and the sole is decently flexible – overall, they are a simplified both that are not intended to cause player confusion. What you see is what you get.

Style and Upper Design
Pirma use a one-piece synthetic upper that is actually a little stiff to the touch starting out, as spotted through the break-in phase. It is extremely smooth, with some double lines stitching through the fore to midfoot. I can’t really call it strategically positioned stitching as it doesn’t provide any obvious additional stretch. Each design in the Supreme III range is pretty outlandishly bright. I actually like this Sky Blue colorway the best and in person it does have a real sweet pop to it.

In-Game Performance
Without being overly cynical, the word I would use to describe the performance offered for these boots as “ordinary”. There really isn’t anything that makes them stand out, other than the bright colorway. Using a synthetic upper usually plays to the advantage of smaller brands, as there technically can’t be much variance in how it feels in play. But on the Supreme, Pirma use a very different type of synthetic. It has a very unique consistency, and is pretty much smooth right around the forefoot.

In wet conditions, it can prove slick on the ball as there isn’t any grip technology included. The stud configuration works out well on natural and artificial surfaces, although there were times when it felt a little sticky on turf. Each blade actually covers a lot of surface area, or in other words they are wide and long. Obviously, the benefit here is that they offer really solid stability and plenty of traction.

Lightweight
I’m always astounded at how companies are able to find ways of substantially dropping the wight of their boots. Pirma has actually dropped this range from 8.8oz to 7.6oz on this release. That leaves them sitting as one of lightest weighing boots currently on the market at their price point.

How do they Fit?
Just by looking at these boots, you can tell that they have a nice wide fit through the forefoot. The upper does have some give that allows them to truly envelope your feet if needed. But in saying that, the midfoot is slightly narrow. It is an unusual combo but I found them to be comfortable through wear.

Negatives
At their price range, they rank pretty well against all other boots. But as a primary boot, they don’t sit amongst the top options. Nothing about them is spectacular but honestly, there is not a specific negative worth noting about them. Before buying a pair, don’t expect to wear the same boots as Messi and Ronaldo and you should be fine!

The Skinny Summary
Highlight: A sleek design with a economical price and a lightweight make-up, the Supreme III offers a diversified option for players that want something just a little different.
Category: An economical option that has the ability to double as a lightweight.
Weight: Impressively, they weigh in at 7.6oz.
Would I Buy Them: For the first time, I have to look at this question slightly differently to give an accurate answer. I’m replacing it with “Do they offer value for money?” The answer is a confident Yes they do. They might not have a lot of technology or high-end performance benefits, but for their price I’m sure players will enjoy a durable and long lasting life from a pair.
Player Position: They will pretty much suit all players bar those playing in center mid, or players that like a really solid touch with some control technology. As a speed boot of sorts, they will suit outside mids and wingers pretty well.