Up Close – adidas X16+ Purechaos “Red Limit”

Taking a step back real quick, we picked up a pair of adidas X16+ Purechaos that were released as part of the highly rated Red Limit collection a few months back. Since the collection is still available, I wanted to update with some details on how tey perform and what players can expect from them. In recent months, we tested Purechaos with positive results.

So in short, what do they have on offer? Well, adidas add a red covering to the highly defined Purechaos upper, giving it a pretty dramatic 3D appearance. One of the standout key visual features comes via the PureCut collar, where a distinguished red and white cris-cross designed creates a matrix style effect.

In terms of performance, they are a very effective boot. The highly textured upper is plenty soft, ensuring you have excellent feel on the ball. adidas has labelled it “TechFit” and it is made of a synthetic material that is a lot more pliable than it looks in images. You can easy bend it between your fingers. It is basically an overlay that covers the laces and adds some added touch benefits on the ball through the forefoot. The outer side has plenty of texture thanks to an an “NSG”, or Non Stop Grip, lining. Each piece of the lava like pattern is raised very slightly off the surface of the boot. This helps by adding extra grip and friction as you look to control and move with the ball at you feet and you definitely experience that as you dribble with speed. These do feature laces, that you can tuck in under the front cover once the they are tied.

Find the Purechaos Red Limit at soccer.com.

Underfoot, adidas has returned to a SprintFrame, something you might recall as being the soleplate of choice for the adiZero series. The difference on this version is a switch to slightly off-conical shaped studs. Out of the box, the plate itself is decently stiff with some solid spring back. Over the first few wears, it loosened up nicely through the forefoot while keeping solid support through the midfoot spine region.

Highlight: An updated, high-end X release that is designed with an extremely clean strike zone and a tighter, more controlled upper fit.
Upper: Techfit upper with PureCut sock system.
Weight: 7oz.
Retail: $299.99