Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
With every new Puma release these days comes a Camo style design, this one being the evoPOWER 1.3. We have become accustomed to the new Puma tradition of trying to tease the market, and it provides a little extra excitement behind releases as we get a proper up front “sneak peak” before the official release! This latest version of the evoPOWER is set for official release mid-January, so we really don’t have too long to wait for the real deal. That being said, we wanted to provide a breakdown of what to expect should you look to secure a pair of this dizzying design right now!
And just to note, I’m not kidding when I say these cause dizzy spells! The mixed Atomic Blue and White pinstripe design creates a crazy blur effect if you look at them continuously for a minute or two. That is obviously the intended purpose. Although they don’t really hide everything the boot has on offer, it does create a distraction that detracts from what you see at first glance.
Available from soccer.com.
If you have the time, I’d recommend taking a few minutes to check out the video above as it provides some thorough details on how these compare to previous evoPOWER models. Basically, Puma has stepped back from the futuristic styling found on the evoPOWER 1.2 and made a move towards the original release. It is an extremely brave and bold move, but in this instance one that demonstrates Puma listens to the market and takes whatever steps necessary to provide the best performing boot.
Across the upper, Accu-Foam provides the power element we have become familiar with on the series. Then a range of punched lines are inserted to create that extra level of dimension players desire for striking shots and long passes. It is a much simpler design, but sometimes simple just works. Right across the forefoot and along the large strikezone, the material is very pliable, providing an extremely cushioned touch on the ball. From initial interaction with the boots, it all seems to come together real well and I’m excited to test them out. I’m also confident that this is the type of release that can easily be worn right out of the box.
The one other big change of note lies in the soleplate, where there are two significant modifications. First is the stud configuration, which has been altered to improve traction. Puma has shifted several studs and blades around through the forefoot and heel. There must be a valid reason for the change-up, most likely feedback from some pro players?
The spine is also cleaned up and leveled off. On previous models it was raised off the surface and had a very prominent visual role in the soleplate’s design. On this version, Puma has removed the raised region and created a more traditional style. Thankfully, this doesn’t seem to affect the GSF system that allows the soleplate to bend in both directions. We will see how the entire composition of the new sole plays through wear.
But overall, I’m impressed with the look of this soleplate. It is clean and offers a streamlined appearance!
A final few notes on the release to finish things out. They weigh in at 6.8oz; feature a softer heel design; come with a matching set of blue pin-stripe laces and a bootbag in the box; have a blank white insole; and they are available as a limited edition release!
If you want a pair, find them currently available from soccer.com.
