The year of 2011 Footy GURU style:

The year of 2011 Footy GURU style:

Summary of 2011

Taking a look back at 2011 we were blessed with some great boots and saw silos improve and others fall behind due to the lack of change and innovation. I would not call 2011 the year of the speed boot race like we saw in 2010, because adidas pretty much ran away with the trophy. It did not help that Nike failed to innovate the Vapor and just changed the color again and again rather than the boot itself.

However, in 2011 we saw the big guns in the footy market change the price, color, and technology of their football boots in order to sell boots and separate them from the competition. Every year it is a battle and some boots kill it and other boots sink but usually every company creates a good boot that beats the others depending on what you are looking for. Do you want a speed, control, power or a heritage boot because each company had a boot of 2011. Here is a look back at the boots that caught my attention and why.

Most disappointing boot of 2011: Vapor VII

The Vapor 7 came in a variety of color ways but although it looked pretty it did not produce and was not improved in 2011. The upper along with the outsole remained stiff which many consumers complained about. The lockdown affect was almost non-extant in the boot; meaning that the boot did not conform to your foot due to the stiff upper and outsole which are both outdated. I am not sure why Nike would not give consumers an option and make a k leather option or even a kanga-lite option which has more give/feel then the current upper. At the end of the day, as a consumer I am more concerned about the fit of the boot rather than the weight and from experience the fit of the Vapor needs to be much improved.

Best concept/elite boot of 2011:adipure SL

The best concept boot of 2011 was hands down the adipure SL. Adidas somehow managed to recreate a boot of the past and infuse it with current technology which hit home with consumers. The boot was k leather, offered a reasonable price, had untouchable classic/unique style and somehow weighed an astonishing 7 oz. As a soccer boot fanatic, I seek boots that offer/bring a point of difference to the soccer market and this boot did just that. Overall, the adipure SL is a hybrid boot made for today’s modern game but adidas made sure they stuck to their roots and kept the boot leather and kept the style like an OG adidas boot that many consumers love and affiliate with adidas soccer.

Best Power boot of 2011: adipower

The adipower took the boot world by storm in 2011. Completely reengineered, adidas made this Predator release a mixture of power and speed which is something we have never seen before. With the insertion of the sprint frame adidas were able to drastically decrease the weight of the boot to 7.8 oz which had the market and consumers in a buzz. In addition, as the year went on we saw many pro-level footballers in all positions change boots and endorse the adipower Predator. I have always had a love for power boots and with this release adidas were able to keep the key things that make the Predator the Predator. For example, adidas were able to include the silicon power zone and keep the powerspine which makes the boot rigid and aids in increased power.  Overall, the adipower Predator was a good release by adidas and I appreciated that they kept the predator elements while also making the boot lighter and more agile. I thought they killed the predator with the Predator X release but with this release adidas reinvented/innovated the boot and it hit home with consumers and predator fans.

Best Control boot of 2011: CTR360

One of the most underrated boots on the market in 2011was the CTR360 II. In terms of value, comfort and durability the CTR is by far one of the best boots Nike has created in the past decade. No other boot on the market offers or has what the CTR has and with a price point of $180 it is a steal. Unlike most boots the CTR offers off-center lacing/ an athletic fit which allows players with wider feet a chance to sport the boots. Usually Nike boots run very narrow but the CTR is wider and has all the tools you need in a elite boot. By far it is one of the more comfortable boots on the market. However, it is a little heavy weighing in at around 10.5 oz but for the price and comfort it is hard to turn the CTR down once you slip your foot in it. Overall, in terms of comfort, durability, and value the CTR360 once again ruled the control department.

Best heritage boot of 2011: Tiempo IV

With this boot Nike did all off the small things right. They drastically improved the fit of the Tiempo IV and updated the exterior of the boot which was in need of a makeover. They also improved the performance and fit of the boot by changing the outsole which helped the boots flexibility and comfort. In terms of value, this boot kills it on the market because at $150 you get a k leather boot that is around 9 oz. Consumers both old and young wanted the services of the Tiempo IV in 2011 because of the great value, comfort and OG look/feel. The Tiempo IV was my classic/heritage boot of 2011.

Best NEW speed boot of 2011: Pele Sports Trinity

I was able to test the Trinity in 2011 and after testing the boot I was blown away at what the boot had to offer. That is why I am putting it on the 2011 best football boots. It was light, sleek, offered a unique style and offered a point of difference on the market in my opinion. Thought by many as the OG Mercurial Vapor reincarnated, the Trinity has a unique stud mapping system that enabled you to be a better athlete. The asymmetrical stud pattern, which looks like something off the planet, helps to enable increased muscle stimulation, with a tactile area under foot improving speed and agility movements. Furthermore, through this unique stud configuration along with tools/products used that you might find in a formula one racing garage allows the player to react faster, enhance ball control and increase force/speed in which you play the game. Pele Sports referred to this boot as the beautiful revolution because until now we have not seen any other boot like this. In 2011 my ranking for the speed category looked like this:

 First Place: F50 Adizeo-----Second Place: Trinity 3E----------------Third Place: Vapor VII

Best Boot of 2011:adidas aidZERO F50

 This is the best boot of 2011. Even though it was a late release it is smart by adidas to release it right before the new year. I have been testing the boot for almost a month and to be honest this boot is much improved in terms of the fit/lock-down affect on the boot.  If you notice the yellow warning strips all around the boot and are wondering what it is you can stop wondering and searching because it is called Sprint web and it is basically put in place to increase durability and to improve the fit/comfort of the boot. This webbing is basically a TPU overlay that provides support and durability to weak points in the boot. I have seen many times on the current model consumer’s blow through the toe or the outside of the boot which has been a problem. However, with this launch adidas have focused their attention on the faults of the last adiZERO and really tried to improve the boot which is awesome for fans. Rather than just try to change the color of the boot adidas has obviously listened to consumers and tried to make a better/smarter product with this release. Not to mention the glove like fit, the boot has a brain and is miCoach compatible which is definitely a point of difference on the boot market. Review will be posted soon but based on my testing this is 2011 boot of the year.

CTR360 ELITE WC2010 EDITION...

Taking a trip down memory lane with this post. 

The WC Elite series was awesome and the boots are becoming limited!

Any boot fan would be jealous of this footy collection!

Any boot fan would be jealous of this footy collection!

Blogger note: Thanks Eric for the picture and the support. Best of luck in your trials this coming year!  

FOOTY GURU 2012 Nike LEAK...

Above are the next releases of the Tiempo IV and the CTR360 II. With this next release on the Tiempo IV Nike has chosen to go with a white upper which has been done before unfortunately. Furthermore, a couple months ago I showed a Tiempo IV that was done by Nike ID that had a red upper which looked sweet. In addition, above is the next color way for the CTR360 which is a let down in my opinion because with all of the color combos Nike could do with this two tone boot/design they pick black/white/orange?? suspect...

As for the next Vapor, which is number eight to be exact in the series will rock almost every boot fanatics mind. With this boot which will retail at around $220 is sleeker and is way more form fitting. This generation will have a new lighter upper along with a new out sole to increase comfort. This past generation of Vapor i found very firm and not very form fitting. So with this boot, Nike retooled the design and made the boot to fit like the Vapor I and II's which were sleek, light and simple.

Weight: Estimated 5.6-6 oz
Price: 220.00
Release Date: Spring 2012

CTR & T90 IV SIMILARITIES

the lanuch of the T90 IV is upon us and to be honest I do not think it is getting the attention it deserves. I respect that Nike is continuing to produce the T90 series because the silo is a power boot and atleast acouple of players on every pitch want that extra bit of technology or support. I think the new T90 will be a hybrid between the CTR and the T90 which could make for a very unique boot. Complimented by your chioce of kanga lite or k leather i think this T90 will make some consumers heads turn. I have seen these boots in person, and just so you know when you see these boots I think you will fall in love with them as well. Not just because of the looks but rather what the shield/new technology can do for you.

If you look above the new T90 will have off center lacing and from the looks of it have the same last of the CTR. This is scary because if the new T90 has the last/shape of the CTR then the boot could quickly become one of the best boots on the market because the CTR has a reputation of being one of the most comfortable boots on the market not to mention its overall value in terms of price and durability.

In the end, I am excited to get my hands on a pair of these boots because I have always been a fan of power boots. In terms of release date, I think these boots will be released sooner then later so I am expecting these boots to be released mid september or early october. The price point will be $200.00 which is affordable especially after both adidas and Nike started making the elite series. Kind of funny, because I can remember when boots went over or around 200.00 dollars and i was a big deal but now you have boots for 350 and even 400 dollars.

Tiempo Touch, CTR360 Control.

12/1 CTR 360 II LEAK

The latest Nike CTR360 Maestri II color way.

Nike just released this new two tone metallic color way in the CTR which has been an awesome boot for Nike. With the athletic fit/off center lacing along with the combination of the revolutionary KANGA-LITE upper many consumers can not believe how comfortable this boot is. Designed for the modern game, this boot offers maximum comfort and value for your money. With the kanga upper this boot will not stretch or absorb water like a normal boot and in terms of durability this is one of the best boots on the market. If you have a medium to wide foot and are looking for an elite boot at an awesome price point of $180 then this might be the boot for you.

CTR 360 Taking Control...

Nike CTR360 Maestri II- Nike on Development

By far the CTR360 has been Nike's best Football creation in the past decade... If you think I am wrong you have been living in a cave. Since it appeared on the pitch it has been nothing short of first class. It offers everything an elite boot has to offer; extreme comfort, sassy style, new technology that makes you question Nike's reasoning, and it is affordable aka not made of plastic! If you just look around the pitch defenders to forwards are wearing this boot. In my opinion, that says a lot about the product! 

Here is a video about the boot and the designer explains why they made the boot the way they did.


Key product features selling points:

• Asymmetrical lacing system expands the ball control area and features dampening pods for exceptional first touch.
• TPU pass pad and a memory foam insert at the instep to enhance control and touch to help distribute the ball with perfect balance of precision and pace.

Consumer profile: An ideal product if your an elite-level player who wants a boot that's designed with pinnacle performance features and crafted for accuracy and first touch.

Mercurial vapor VII, Tiempo IV/SL, & Super Fly III

Dear footy fans,

I know a lot of people along with me have been excited about the teaser images/info released by adidas in the recent weeks. It has created a lot of hype that i believe However, I am excited to see what Nike has up their sleeves and I have found some pictures to confirm that the boots for 2011 that I have touched on in recent posts like the Superfly III, Tiempo IV and Tiempo IV ELITE are in fact in the works and expected to hit stores this coming summer and fall with what looks to be new color schemes/boots.

Check the boots/styles/colors out..

Im off the planet series: Post #1 by Footy guru:

Im off the planet series: Post #1 by Footy guru:

Over the next month, I will be creating a series of posts that are ideas of mine for certain soccer boots that I imagine building/ producing that I think would be a hit to consumers. These ideas are new, fresh and feature off the planet ideas. The ideas are my way of sharing my creativity along with my passion for football boots.

The story behind this series:
About a year ago I found myself in front of developers that make Nike football boots happen. The footwear product development team at Nike Football who takes ideas/sketches from marketing are in charge of building the boots you see on the elite pros and amateur players all over the world. What was I doing there? I was interviewing for an associate developer position within the soccer department which I thought/believed to be my dream job. In this interview, I broke down and reviewed various Nike boots and even came up with changes that they could make for certain boots to increase sales/profitability for each line. In fact, during this interview I presented my idea to put a carbon fiber base on the CTR to decrease the overall weight of the boot and make it more popular/profitable. It was at this point where i realized that i had a gift, and they later informed me that it was in the works. What do you know, the world cup is around the corner and the elite series is formed.


Furthermore, as the interview came to a close I was asked if I could create any boot what would I create and why?

My answer/idea for the Nike product development team:
I told the developers that I would create a hybrid boot between the CTR and the Total 90. The boot would combine the touch/comfort of the CTR with the power of the Total 90 series. With this boot I imagine a whole new technology in terms of where players using the boot would get their power and accuracy from. I would do away with the fins and plates like the current Total 90 model, which in my opinion is a dying boot that needs a revamp in terms of style and technology ASAP.

Furthermore, with this boot I would use the mold of the CTR for comfort but make the boot slip on so I could play around with different materials in order to make this boot a complete power boot, and not a market gimmick like the current T90 fins. Imagine the shape of a CTR that is sleek and is a slip on/features a hidden lace system, with a new upper/technology down the middle formed of a NEW hard rubber pattern similar to the first predator for an increase in surface area for a larger striking area that will aid in a players game to hit the target, improve accuracy/power.



In the end, I believe the combination of the two boots would compliment each other well and give Nike a new power boot.

What do you think Footy fans? Just wanted to share one of my crazy off the wall ideas. Will work on some sketches to show you more visually what the boot and concept could look like if developed.

Specs:
Name: Nike Vantage (subject to change)
Category: Power Line
Positions: forward, midfield,defender, and keeper
Upper: Kanga lite, synthetic/carbon fiber, and fly wire(instep, heel)
Outsole: lunar foam and carbon fiber
Weight: 9 oz.
Inspiration: Black Panther; sleek, strong, agile, and stealthy.
Details: Hybrid between CTR and Total 90 to form a new breed of power boot for team Nike.
Creator: Footy Guru

CTR II 2011 NEW COLOR

The Nike CTR 360 Maestri II (Blue/White/Black)color way will be released February 2011.

What do you think about this color and the boot?

12/18-19 Boot spy

This weekend was a hit with some of the top players using some of the top of the line boots on the pitch. Check out what players are wearing what boots...

CTR 360 II Promo Clip from Nike!

Specs of the Nike CTR 360 II

Nike CTR 360 Maestri II

Nike are set to release the CTR 360 Maestri II. According to the Footy Gods and footyboots.com the first CTR was voted boot of the year for 2010. However, I think that the adidas adiZERO F50 should of been the boot chosen for boot of the year due to the popular demand of professional footballers all over the world using them. In the end, here is a sneak peak of the Nike CTR 360 Maestri II.