When buying a boot it depends on many different variables but one reoccurring theme/motif I see is that Footy fans are no longer okay with wearing the same boot everyone else is wearing.
In terms of the boot world I think elite/serious players are now seeking boots that no one else has to be different on the pitch. No one wants to be the second kid on the team with the same color scheme of boots. Many times consumers now reach out to try other brands/boots to call their own which is unique and tells me something as a boot nerd. It tells me that as a soccer boot enthusiast that the market is flooded with the same boot in the same color. For example, a couple days ago I was helping one of the Timbers players exchange boots and he explained to me that he did not want to wear what all the other Nike athletes were wearing on the pitch. In fact, he was seeking other/older colors ways so he could be different on the pitch.
Furthermore, as I look at the boot market I have started to notice that it is big business because the popularity of soccer has grown and so has the boot world within the soccer industry. Unlike a decade ago consumers now have a couple pairs of boots that they rotate and it is now not uncommon for kids to have multiple pairs of boots. In a way, soccer boots have started to trend like the basketball industry because consumers are no longer keeping a pair of boots for years, they are buying boots depending on the color, style, make/model and often times collecting soccer boots which is crazy...
As for the want factor, if I was Nike and Adidas I would continue to release SL/Elite boots but make the supply limited so only a few lucky boots nerds have a chance at sporting them. By putting a cap on how many "concept" boots are produced it will increase the demand and create a buzz around the boots with each release. The downfall of the Nike elite series was the lack of change/innovation over time along with the outrageous price point of the boots. In addition, everyone was able for example to get superflys so with the market flooded and everyone able to purchase the boots the demand soon fell and no one wanted the boots.
In the end this is my rant on making elite boots and hopefully either Nike or Adidas will listen because when something is concept/elite in the boot world everyone wants it but when it is limited and might only come around once the boot nerds will go crazy. Like I said unlike the old days consumers do not want a boot other players have on the pitch, rather they are focussed about individuality on the pitch and the only way they can do that is through their boots. Let me know what you think...
