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in the boot; meaning that the boot did not conform to your foot due to the stiff upper and outsole which are both outdated.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.
