Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
I have often asked the question “how light is too light?”. Well, Adidas are set to blow our minds with a boot that weighs about a full ounce lighter than the lightest boot currently on the market.
Let me put that into perspective. The lightest boot currently released on the market weighs in at 5.3oz (Puma V1.10 SL). The boot that Adidas intends to release is set to weigh in at an incredible 3.5oz.
Having had the opportunity to test the Mizuno Wave Universe running shoe, which weighs in at 5.8oz, I really can’t comprehend what it is going to be like to wear a soccer cleat that clocks in even lighter. Seriously, it kind of blows my mind.
Key to this boot is the fact that we are still a long ways from its addition to the market, and even at that it looks like it will be a limited release. Here is the press release details from Adidas:
adidas created the game-changing adizero f50 and now they have taken it to the next level with a new lightweight boot that weighs a mere 99g. The revolutionary boot, rigorously tested, has been created in adidas’ speed range, adizero. Players wearing the new boot will be lighter and faster than ever giving them that physical and psychological advantage of speed.
Fans will be given a preview of the product with it displayed mid-air in a capsule to convey the unique lightness of the boot. They will also be able to pick up and examine a prototype to experience first-hand the feather-weight lightness of the boot before a limited number being made available to the public in 2015.
This is actually the first time we have used a textile composite material on the outer layer which has allowed us to reduce weight. The 1mm thick outsole, made from a high-spec polyamide material, also reduces weight but maintains the rigidity of the boot needed to perform at the highest levels. We have also reduced and removed any non-essential materials, especially in the heel, linings and materials between the different layers of the boot. The new stud layout ensures the fastest possible movement in all directions while playing. Put simply, we’ve reduced the boot to its essential elements which allows for the greatest possible reduction in weight whilst maximizing performance, similar to what designers do with a Formula 1 car.
Ground-breaking features of the 3.5oz boot include:
- 1mm polyamide outsole which reduces weight but has the rigidity to perform at the highest level.
- Extremely lightweight upper layer made from a brand new textile composite.
- Unique stud layout to ensure fastest possible movements in all directions.
With the recent release of the Nitrocharge 1.0 that features protection in the heel and across the forefoot, it seems like Adidas is really segmenting its designated players and targeting different styles with very specific releases.
All of this brings up that all important, key question again – “how light is too light?” Would you gladly wear a boot that weighs in at 3.5oz or do you look for other attributes, like protection and power?
