Santi Cazorla Signs For Puma

PUMA has signed a new long-term partnership with Arsenal’s creative midfielder Santi Cazorla. The Spanish international debuted his PUMA evoSPEED football boots on pitch last night against Fenerbahce, joining a rich portfolio of evoSPEED players that includes Sergio Agüero, Radamel Falcao and Olivier Giroud. Santi Cazorla will become another important asset in PUMA’s global football ‘Nature of Performance’ communication programme.

Combining several performance characteristics such as speed, agility and close control, Santi Cazorla is the perfect player to promote the PUMA evoSPEED product range. The Spaniard enjoyed a phenomenal first season at Arsenal, thrilling fans with an attacking style of play that led to him being voted the player of the season at the North London club.

Santi Cazorla said, “Signing this new partnership with PUMA is an exciting step for me.  I like the people, their ideas for football and I am impressed with their product development. The evoSPEED boots I have chosen to wear are very light and give me a freedom and quickness of movement, which is very important for me to perform at my best. I am pleased the new season is underway and hope I can help my club and national team enjoy a successful year, and I am looking forward to working with PUMA.

Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing at PUMA commented, “Santi Cazorla is such an exciting player to watch.  His awareness of what is going on around him, technical ability and quickness of thought make him a very influential creative midfield player, and he is a wonderful asset for our evoSPEED product silo.  We’re very happy to have him as part of our PUMA football family.”

The evoSPEED 1.2 boot that Cazorla will wear is PUMA’S latest performance football boot, designed to enable players reach top speed quickly without sacrificing stability or comfort. This is made possible through the use of light materials in combination with an internal midfoot support cage (EverFit cage) that maintains a good fit during all points of sprinting.  The outsole is reconfigured with smaller conical studs that give the player a better grip on the ground and enhances manoeuvrability on the pitch.  For optimal comfort, a minimised tongue and heel have been added, reducing pressure on the Achilles tendon whilst the sock liner distributes the foot’s pressure evenly.

Cesc Fabregas - For Real

Puma’s athlete Cesc Fabregas and the winners of the “For Real” contest met up last Tuesday for a training session in Barcelona. He taught them a thing or two. Stay tuned for future contests. You could be Puma's (http://www.facebook.com/PumaFootball) next winner. For real.

PROFILE of Cesc Fabregas:

Cesc Fabregas started playing football very young, joining the Academy players of Barcelona “La Masia” in 1997 when he was only 10. In 2003, he signed his first professional contract for Arsenal, which kicked off an incredible history with the club. He broke many records, including Arsenal's youngest ever first team player (aged 16 years and 177 days) and the youngest goal scorer in Arsenal's history. With his scoring and assists, Fabregas quickly became one of team's best players. In 2008 he became one of Arsenal's youngest captains. After many years of rumors, he came back to Barcelona in 2011, thus joining his friends from “La Masia” and the Spanish National Team. Since he was 15, he has played for the Spanish National Team, and he succeeded in winning the EURO 2008 and the World Cup 2010.

Footy Guru Puma EvoSpeed Review:

Puma evoSPEED Released

PUMA has recently released its next generation of a footy Speed boot. They did it in big fashion as the first boot offered was limited to 50 pairs. Not only was the boot limited but the boot had a paint job like nothing I have ever seen. It was smart by Puma is stage the release because with the first leaked image and then the limited release it really created a buzz around the Puma's newest speed boot. Peep the picture above.  

As a boot nerd I am always intrigued when a new release from any company hits the shelves. Growing up and still based in Portland, OR many of my friends are super brand loyal because someone knows someone of they actually work at either Nike or adidas. However, as a consumer and more importantly footy fan you cannot be biased. There a tons of footy brands out there doing awesome things with boots/different silos.  I was a big fan of the Puma v1.11 SL. Check out the video review below...

I have been lucky enough to test the last couple of pairs of Puma boots that includes the PowerCat along with the Puma v1.11 SL. Both boots in my opinion were under rated and with the marketing Nike and adidas throw consumers way it is hard to see what other brands have to offer. In my opinion, Puma has some boots that would either give your Vapors or adizeros are run for your money. For me personally, I think it is important to be an individual on the pitch and when you have the same boots as your team mate that does not make you unique rather sometimes you are seen as a follower in my eyes. In college I hated my boot choices because attending a Nike sponsored school I was obligated to wear Nike and of course we would all got the same boots from Nike. It definitely was not the Vapor rather we would all get the Tiempo’s so each summer I would save my money from the summer job and buy a pair of Vapors. In the end, Individuality is immense when it comes to your boot choices.  

 Furthermore, the latest release from Puma will be known as the evoSPEED 1 and is designed just exactly what the name says. The boot is geared for pure speed and like the Puma V1.11 SL is light flexible and will offer a snug athletic fit.

The upper on the evoSPEED 1 is made up of ultra thin micro fiber upper. In addition, to improve the fit and lock down affect Puma has inserted a EverFit cage stability system in the boot. I am personally interested to see how it works… One negative of the Puma V11 was that the boot was light but it lacked stability. With the new evoSpeed, the thermoplastic outsole of the boot will be made up of one piece which aids in stability and support but more importantly it reduces the weight of the boot. Along with the microfiber, the evoSpeed has a microfiber upper which is growing in popularity is the football market because not only does it decrease the weight of the boot but it mirrors the properties of leather and gives you a consistent fit/weight throughout the life span of the boot. Many times with leather, when the rain hits the pitches the leather boots soak up the water which makes the boots heavy and causes them to lose support and that same new fit you get when you first bought them.

The question many of you boot nerds are wondering is how much do they weigh?

The evoSpeed will weigh 6.4 oz and come in at $200. The microfiber upper, EverFit cage system,  along with the one piece thermoplastic outsole are the reasons Puma is able to get the weight of the boot so low. For those of you that do not know a lot about Puma boot is that the thermoplastic mold they use for the boots is super light and one of the most responsive outsoles in the boot market. Every brand excels at certain technologies and out of many of the speed boots I have tested the Puma speed boots have taken the cake because of the flexibility and the feather light weight. Puma has done an awesome job at drastically decreasing the overall weight of many of their speed boots. With the game changing and speed becoming the golden ticket on the field it helps if you have light boot to help you buzz around the field. Overall, I am interested to see how the evoSpeed compares to other speed boots on the market in terms of fit and durability. 

Just Arrived: Puma KING SL

Footy Guru Puma V1.11 SL Review

Footy Guru Puma V1.11 SL Review

Blogger Note: I will be honest and start out by saying that this is only the second ever Puma boot I have ever tested/worn. I do not have a lot of experience with the Puma boots probably because I live in the town of the other two big brands aka Nike and Adidas which call Portland, OR home. Growing up my club team was sponsored by adidas and then later Nike so I have always felt obligated to wear certain brands and then in college I could only wear Nike boots. However, after testing the PowerCat and now the Puma v1.11 SL I feel like I missed out on some great boots during my youth especially the Puma King which I used to marvel at in the soccer.com mag but was always too scared to try something new.

In the end, after testing the Puma boots I have been somewhat converted and now when I have a men’s league game I usually end up going with the Puma boots depending on my mood. I just wanted to tell you a little back ground about my past and my experience with Puma and after reading this review hopefully you will be interested and give the boots a chance as well.

The Good: Coming in at 5.6 oz the Puma V1.11 SL is one of the lightest boots on the market. Pieced together with a microfiber upper the Puma SL compared to other synthetic speed boots offered extreme comfort and flexibility right from the start. Many boots now a day’s especially speed boots are put together with synthetic upper in order to reduce the weight of the boot but in boots like the adizero and  Vapor the upper seems firm, rigid and like a foreign object on your foot. With the Puma SL the upper, weight and overall comfort were key reasons this boot was rated so highly here at FootyG.

The Bad: The main negative I have with this boot is its price. The boot retails for around $220 and as a consumer I believe that anything over $200 is a little over the top because with many of the speed boots durability is an issue so I think the price on these boots is too high.

The Bottom Line: One of the most underrated and unknown speed boots on the market. The Puma SL offers extreme comfort for a boot that weighs an astonishing 5.6 oz. The price may seem scary but I assure you that the Puma V1.11 SL has the whole tool set to make you successful on the pitch. 

Comfort/Fit: 9/10

Compared to other speed boots on the market with similar make ups in terms of synthetic upper I think the Puma v1.11 SL offers a point of difference in a speed boot because the microfiber upper is one of the most unique uppers I have ever seen/felt within the boot world. With this upper it seemed to wrap around my foot and never once did I notice that the upper was stiff because it felt that natural on my foot. Along with the upper the boot also features an asymmetrical lacing system which allows the boot to follow the feet’s natural shape. Which then results in increased comfort/fit and allows for more leeway/width in the boot. By far in the last decade, this off center lacing technology/technique which is also called the athletic fit has reshaped how well your boots can fit.  From the moment I put this boot on it mirrored my foots natural shape with no hot spots which is super important. Many times consumers believe that boots will break in or they will get used to the feeling but from experience I have seen that everyone’s foot, game, and style are different on the pitch and if you have not found your go to boot keep looking because it is out there. With the Puma SL another aspect that I felt was amazing on the boot was the flexible heel cup which is lined with synthetic/swede material that naturally mirrored the shape of my heel.   The only issue you might have with this boot in terms of comfort/fit is what size you need because I found the boot to run at least a half to a full size smaller. Usually I wear a size 9 but even a 9 in this boot seemed smaller then I would have liked so keep in mind that when you are ordering this boot that they are running on the smaller size.

Performance: 9/10

In terms of performance the Puma SL passed and even succeeded my expectations as a speed boot. The weight of this boot will be the first thing you notice when you handle the boot because at 5.6 oz it rivals the adiZERO and the Pele Trinity in weight. In saying that, I believe the SL is one of your better options in terms of a speed boot. To be honest, the SL really does offer a dream ride and right from the get go the boots felt amazing and needed no break in period or adjusting like I experienced with the zero and Pele Trinity. Another performance aspect that stood out during testing was the outsole and how flexible it is. With many speed boots you have to sacrifice comfort for the lighter weight boots but during testing the outsole of the boot was very flexible and rather than firm or rigid the carbon fiber plate was perfectly placed to provide support and stability when I stopped or accelerated. Overall, the unique microfiber upper, off center lacing and outsole provide one of the most comfortable rides in the speed boot world that you will find.

Value: 8/10

As an experienced soccer boot junky, whenever I buy a boot I look at three different categories that factor my decision to either buy a boot or go another direction. I base my decision as a consumer on the comfort/fit of the boot, performance, and the overall value the boot offers aka is the boot worth the price point. With this release the Puma V1.11 SL exceeds in all of my assigned categories. The Puma SL in terms of comfort/fit is one of the best speed boots I have tested in 2012 mainly because it’s unique microfiber upper which is so different than any other boot on the market. The microfiber upper on this boot is soft, supply, form fitting and offers more protection than the Trinity and the adizero. To describe the upper on this boot it feels similar to the CTR360 Kanga-Lite but even softer if that gives you any indication how unique the microfiber upper is on this boot. In terms of the performance of this boot it flat out does its job. The boot is designed for pure speed and it does not let you down. Combined with a carbon fiber plate along with the off-center lacing this boot offers a lock down affect one speedster can only dream of. The overall value of this boot is well worth its price point which is around $220 and with this boot you are getting a fast, light dynamic speed boot that offers a different feel and look compared to popular adizero. I gave this boot an 8/10 for value because during my three months of testing I have noticed wear and tear on the boots which is normal but overall if I had not been given the opportunity to test these boots I am not sure I would have taken the chance because the price point is a little too high for my liking. The Puma V1.11 SL is now available in stores now and I urge you to give them a go. Too many people have the adizero and so if you want to be different on the pitch I suggest you try the Puma SL.

Footy Guru Rating:

Comfort/fit: 9/10

Performance: 9/10

Value: 8/10

Overall Score: 8.6

Boots Supplied for review by Puma)

Footy Guru Puma V1.11 SL Video Review

Like if you Like...

Written review coming soon...

Puma V1.11 SL Preview...

Video/Review coming soon...

PUMA PowerCat 1.12 Review

The Good: The Puma PowerCat 1.12 is a mixture of control and power. Weighing in at 10.4 oz the boot is built to last and offers superior comfort similar to that of its competitor the CTR360 from Nike. It also features a kangaroo upper and off center lacing which are keys to a great fit. The boot features 3D power shooting technology in the strike zone. The technology is two densities of TPU which aids in responsiveness and rebound/power when striking the ball. Boot currently retails for $180 which is a steal because with this boot you get all of the tools that you might find in a premium boot that would cost you around $220.

The Bad: Depending on your position the boot might seem heavy at 10.4 oz. However, I would recommend these boots to a center mid or a defender due to its protection and comfort. In addition, during testing I noticed that the k-leather wears easily and after a short period of time the boots were no longer pearl white. So if you are a neat freak this color way may not be for you. Overall negatives are the weight and the white upper which takes/shows a beating right off the bat.

The Bottom Line: One of the most underrated boots on the market. With this release you get a hybrid boot mixed with power and control that offers supreme comfort. From the moment I put these boots on it felt like a boot I had owned and broke in for six months. This boot is one of the most underrated boots because for what you get in terms of its overall value. At $180 you get a k-leather upper, extreme comfort, technology which aids in power/control. In addition, this boot runs a little wider so it allows that midfielder or defender with fat feet an opportunity to be comfortable on the pitch.

Comfort/FIT: 9/10

Out of the box these fit like a glove. I have a short and fat foot so during testing I wore a US size 9. The PowerCat has two main features that I think are vital to the fit and comfort of a boot. The upper is made of k leather and the lacing is off center which hugs your foot much like your girl would during happy time. With the Cat I needed little to no break in time because of the upper and the shape of the boot. I wore them the first time doing an individual training session and throughout the session I never once thought about the boots which is weird because usually I need to get used to a boot. If you have a wider foot and seek a comfortable boot then I think the PowerCat would would for you and your game.

Another part of a boot that can either make or break it is the outsole. The outsole on a boot is much like that of a mattress that you would sleep on. You can sit on a bed and be comfortable but sleeping is a whole other issue, kind of like running or playing footy. Some boots offer a great upper or light weight but when you try to sprint or run in the boot the outsole can seem stiff and uncomfortable. Perfect example of this right now is the Vapor…

However, with the PowerCat the outsole flexes in just the right spots and also offers stability and a lot of comfort. Comfort is one of the most underrated aspects in a boot nowadays it seems like, and if I am buying a boot I want to be comfortable and not sacrifice weight for comfort. WHY? Because at the end of the day the boot does not make the player nor does it make you faster. If you are fast you are fast and if you are slow you are slow. It is that simple.

Performance: 8/10

The PowerCat is a mixture of control and power. The boot is marketed as a power boot and at the end of the day as a consumer you need to ask yourself what kind of boot suits your needs. Your options are classic/heritage, power, speed and the newest category that has emerged is control.

If you want power this might be the boot for you. I have always been a fan of power boots because there is just something orgasmic about hitting a shot and getting that unexplainable feeling when you hit that shot that makes you think did that really just happen. That moment of disbelief where you ask yourself was that all me or did the boots maybe help too. Everyone loves a laser and with these boots you can make that possible if you hit a decent ball/shot.

On the Cats Puma uses a PST also known as a Power Shooting Technology. It is made up of two separate regions of TPU overlays that have two different densities made for both control and power. One is slightly thicker and softer aka the (blue TPU) while the other is thinner and harder aka the (gold TPU). Furthermore, both elements combined together allows for an awesome rebound power/sweet spot feeling. When I say rebound power I am referring to the power generated between your foot speed and the ball will be increased. With this extra technology I enjoyed hitting shots and hitting long balls in these boots and many times I found it easier and believed the technology aided in my ability to spray the ball across the field. I must admit that before I tested these boots along with other power boots I am always doubtful about the possible gimmicks that many of the boot companies come up with. They promise power, curve and control but you never know until you personally test the boots out.

In the end, I found that the Puma Power Shooting Technology does add another dimension to your game if you have the tools. I noticed that the TPU overlays aided in control and gave me a little extra burst/amp when I shot the ball. The technology does in fact work and after wearing the boots for a couple of weeks I have noticed compared to other boots it adds confidence in my ability to the long ball. Maybe it is a mental thing but I did notice the TPU overlays during my tests.

Value: 8/10

In terms of value you cannot go wrong with the PowerCat 1.12. The boot offers excellent comfort, K leather upper, and fits anyone with a medium to wide foot. Not to mention, with this boot you get the power element that aids in power/control. At $180 this boot has all the tools you could ever want in a boot and after testing I can now say that I am a big fan. In addition, now that Puma has signed Fabregas I think many consumers will begin to accept Puma as an option when they get their next pair of boots. In the end, the Puma power element on the PowerCat1.12 rivals that of the Predator and also gives the CTR360 a run for its money in terms of its underrated control/comfort.

Footy Guru Rating:

Comfort/fit: 9/10

Performance: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Overall Score: 8.3

(Good) This boot gets a 4/5 star rating from FOOTY GURU

(Boots supplied for review by Puma)

PowerCat 1.12 Preview

Puma PowerCat 1.12 Preview...

Yay or Nay?

Puma King SL Teaser

One of the greatest boots ever made was the Puma King. The OG King was one of the first classic boots back in the day. However, since then the game has changed on the field and in the boot game.

So Puma has decided to make a concept version of the classic King and call it the SL. The thing I like about this SL version is that Puma left the leather upper and the OG style on the boot but simply updated the outsole and shaved down the upper to decrease the overall weight of the boot drastically. There is just something special about a classic boot that has been modified into a concept speed boot that I just simply love.

I am expecting the boot to be around 9 oz with a single layer of leather upper so you get supreme ball feel and comfort. Price will be around $250 and should be released no later then 4/1/2012.

Blogger Note: Would like to thank footy fan Marlowe for the pictures.

Puma Launches Italy Jersey...

Today marks the launch of one of the most storied and successful soccer countries in the world. The new official home kit of the PUMA-sponsored Italian National Football Team will makes its on-field debut tomorrow in Rome versus Uruguay match.

Here in the US, the PUMA Italy Home Shirt Replica will be available for purchase tomorrow at Soccer.com/PUMA.

SEA vs. RSL POST-GAME: Keller says goodbye

Kasey Keller without a doubt will go down in history as one of the best US goal keepers to ever play the game.
In this video, he talks about his final MLS game along with his perspective of the league and how he was happy to be a part of it. What a career for Kasey Keller. RESPECT!

Puma V1.11 SL Teaser...

Expected to be released March 2012.

Blogger note: Be on the look out for PUMA boot reviews in the next coming months.

Puma King SL Teaser

CESC jumping on the PUMA band WAGON..

Cesc jumping ship?

Cesc was recently photographed wearing the new Puma Powercat boots...when players start to experiment with other boots it usually means that their contract has expired or they are in negotiations. It would be a big downfall for Nike to loose Cesc to Puma considering that Cesc is one of the faces of the CTR360 which is Nike's control boot. Only time will tell but this would be a big pickup for puma.