Adidas adiPure 11Pro Samba Review

Adidas are currently in full World Cup 2014 prep mode and part of that charge is the introduction of the new adiPure 11Pro Samba. In many circles, opinion of the adiPure range has not been extremely popular of late, with fans missing the traditional, rustic feel that came with the initial versions. This latest edition will not appease those who want a return to the heritage look, but there are several positives to take and initial reaction from fans has been pretty positive.

I’ve had a few weeks to work with the new adiPure 11Pro and spent an extra few sessions really getting a feel for what they have to offer. Check the review below and don’t forget to watch the YouTube video at the bottom of the page – through Saturday, you have an opportunity to win an exclusive pair of these boots!

The adiPure 11Pro Samba is currently available to buy at soccer.com.

Initial Reaction – Part of the Samba Collection

As part of the Samba Collection release pack, there was not a great deal of singular attention placed on the new adiPure boot. Under normal circumstances, a release of this magnitude would get a lot of attention. It took some research to discover the boot had been radically altered and that makes these ever more interesting. With that in mind, going into testing I was very excited to see how Adidas approached the performance of the new boot and how the cross stitched upper felt on the ball.

Break In and Comfort

Out of the box, you get a mixed reaction with this boot. First, the design is epic and almost knocks you out of your socks! I am sure that is what they are looking to do with the Samba design and you have to give their design team credit for what they have produced. It is wild and really does give you a fun, imaginative feel. The soleplate is flexible and the upper soft enough to break into a training sessions right from the go, but I wouldn’t recommend taking them straight into battle (aka. a game).

You need to get a feel for them and I found that the material around the heel and tongue needs time to adjust. From first wear, you will probably notice or hear the squelch sound that you get when wearing a synthetic boot. You can read more about this down below, but the important thing to note is that it subsides as you break them in and they become more in-tune with your fit.

Compared to the Original 11Pro

There is a lot different with this version, some positive and some negative. Without detailing all of the differences in the section, I’ll just offer a summary and then the positives and negative points I encountered. On the new version, there is a completely redesigned upper, lower cut heel, modified interior and dramatically altered soleplate with no miCoach technology. In other words, it is now a completely different boot!

[Also: Adidas adiPure 11Pro Review]

The positive is definitely the forefoot design, with Adidas choosing to place an emphasis on stitching. Who doesn’t love a layer of cross stitching to really promote a cushioned first touch on the ball? I for one love the look and am very much for this upgrade over the duracoat layering found on the initial release. I get what Adidas were looking to do on that version and it made sense if you were looking for added durability, but for most players it just left a sour, dated appearance.

The negative comes in the form of the material used around the heel area and across the tongue. I’m not sure if it is related to creating the Samba appearance or if it has to do how the new layer of memory foam placed around the ankle lining is covered, but it has a slippy, synthetic feel on the Samba edition. On the original, I loved how snug the boot fit and how your foot stayed solidly in place even with the lower cut heel design. It seems like Adidas has tried to compensate by increasing the height of the heel, but in my case I found this decreased the overall fit.

When you put them side by side, I think both have their own set of positive characteristics, but overall I feel Adidas has improved the boot with their latest modifications.

In-Game Performance

There are two primary areas to cover when it comes to performance; the upper and the soleplate.

Again, Adidas use a Taurus leather through the upper. Taurus has become a popular choice, with the premium, ultra-soft and ultra-light leather providing a comfortable fit and natural feel on the ball. What separates this addition from other boots with this leather is the inclusion of some highly effective cross stitching. The end result is extremely positive, especially for midfield players who like to get plenty of touches on the ball. There is a cushioned feel, yet the material is thin enough to ensure you know where the ball is at all times. Striking shots, they feel very smooth, pretty much in line with your regular heritage release in this department – they are not specifically designed to be a strikers boot.

Cross stitching offers a much more natural fit, with the material contouring to the movements of your feet. And for players who need a wide fit, it has a tendency to stretch, when needed, as you wear them. I’m very much for its inclusion on any heritage boot, so Adidas has made the right choice here in my opinion.

Then there is the soleplate, with a new Comfort Frame being utilized. In the words of Adidas, it is an all new outsole with comfort frame for better pressure distribution, and a smaller, more concentrated stud configuration for maximum grip and acceleration on natural firm grounds. In game, you really won’t notice the change in design too much, it is tough to tell how much performance is improved or if you do get increased acceleration as you take off. What you do notice is that the Comfort Frame is much more flexible to bend and that transcends into an easier break-in. I’m a fan of the smaller stud design that does increase the opportunity for quicker release from the surface and I like how the center stud has been moved up toward the front of the boot. All-in-all, this means that weight distribution is dispersed more evenly while ensuring the boot appeals to a wider audience of players who desire more speed in their game. Overall, I found the design works effectively and your foot does feel secure right across the forefoot as you walk or sprint to the ball.

What it comes down to is this; the changes in the soleplate turn this boot from more a “graft” player option into more of a “craft” player option if that makes sense. Rather than being a boot geared toward the gritty, “get the job done” center mid, they are now more of a move the ball fast and create space boot.

miCoach Not Included

Important note for those of you that use your miCoach chip to track your performance; Adidas has removed the cavity in this boot and you won’t be able to take advantage of the technology. It is directly related to the new soleplate (as seen above) and means this boot is in a different bracket to all other Adidas boots currently on the market (bar the Copa Mundial of course).

The Samba Design

You can see from the images that there is a lot of detail on this boot and it goes along with exactly what Adidas wants us to feel. That is flair and the build up to World Cup 2014. This is a high performing boot with a fun feel, and to the amateur player out there that probably won’t ever play under the bright lights of a big stadium, they bring a little extra excitement to your game. Seriously, I felt more ambitious while wearing them and was at time ready to break out into beast trick mode. Sadlly, they won’t actually turn you into a Ronaldinho style player!

How do they Fit?

This is very much a wide fitting players option. By no means does that mean it is going to appropriately fit you XXL fitting players who require custom made boots, but it is a good option in a market where larger fits are becoming increasingly sparse. As a medium/wide fitting player, I found them to be very comfortable and a solid fit. Where there is increasing benefit to these is in the cross stitching used through the forefoot. The stitching should loosen for players who need that extra bit of room. For players who previously wore the original adiPure, they will fit just as well and true to size, but with the added bonus of stretch if needed.

Critics Notes

My only negative remark lies in the material used through the inner heel and along the tongue. It might just be the color coating employed, but it doesn’t provide that snug feel we got from the original adiPure 11Pro. And, of coarse, I should remark on the color design that won’t appeal to a certain type of player!

Pick up your pair of adiPure 11Pro at Soccer.com right here.

The Skinny Summary

Highlight: A fresh and very fun version of the adiPure that is packed with new updates and a proper coat of Samba colors, highlighted by the cross stitching used across the forefoot.
Category: Heritage, although the new colors might not appeal to the tradition player.
Weight: 9.2oz, which is an increase from of 1oz from the original 11Pro.
Would I Buy Them: I would splash out on these for sure. They are a very forward thinking release that offer players a lot of positives for their price point.
Player Position: These are the ideal boot for players who like to control the middle of the pitch and use their guile on the ball. There is a crafty, nimble feel about this boot that differentiates them from other heritage releases. Outside backs and keepers will also enjoy what they have to offer.

Video Introduction Plus Giveaway Details

If you have made it here on time, we are having a giveaway for a pair that come in an exclusive Adidas promotional display case. There are very few of these “paint cans” with boots to be found anywhere, so it is a very, very big prize. Please make sure to enter on YouTube rather than here on this post please! Competition is open to entries through Saturday evening, and we will update with the winners name on this post.