The time has come for another ravishing edition of Deal Day, in which I compile some of the best specials and offers around the web for your shopping pleasure!
Truly great things can happen in this world. Wonderful, magnificent, miraculous occurrences that relieve you of breath, and instill a whimsical daze for weeks to come. These are the moments that define their genre; they are the benchmark for all that follows. Reading through several websites, and looking at upcoming catalogs, a fantastical notion hit me today...
Will this season, Spring 2012, be the greatest ever in football boots history?
Indeed, somewhat odd, yeah? Hear me out. The season is started in high fashion with the Vapor 8's, highly controversial boots due to their lack of a Flywire option. Many were skeptical of the exotic mango adorning the purportedly "suede" like finish. All publicity is good publicity. It is impossible to count the number of players who now pledge their allegiance to the Mercurial line. A groundbreaking release in its own right, and I believe most would've been satisfied with simply a large Nike release.
Sometimes you don't have to ask to get what you want.
We began the May releases on Saturday, with the public launch of the the Predator LZ's, arguably the most revolutionary boot in the already revolutionary Predator silo. These boots were the product of years of testing, development, and design. Supposedly, they have been in production since before the adiPower's were thought of, boots that are now a year old. That leads one to believe the LZ's have seen at least 3 years of tweaking! Already, many keynote players have chosen to don the "Lethals", a nickname some faithful have bestowed upon the shoes.
"Slow down!" you are undoubtedly pleading, "the excitement will diminish the power of my heart, and I will not have enough love for your site and YouTube channel!" 'Tis a risk I shall take. Prepare your heart to beat as never before, as the list of Spring releases only grows (at this point, one may want to begin playing the opening number of 2001: A Space Odyssey, a ballad almost befitting of this epic occasion):
Puma EvoSpeed (once again, check out my upcoming boots video for more details)
Nike Vapor 8 (White/Black/Solar)
Nike Vapor 8 (Black/Yellow)
Nike Tiempo Legend 4 (White/Black) - A revert to the classic Tiempo look?
Nike CTR360 Maestri 2 (Blue Glow/White) - Possibly the most intriguing out of all the colorways...
Nike T90 Laser 4 KL (White/Black/Electricity) - I stand corrected ^
I have presented you with the evidence. The task now rests with you. Check out sites such as SoccerReviews.com and FootyBoots.com if your palette is still wet. Be sure to visit my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/theiarski?feature=mhee. Have a fantastic day!
Is it safe to say that this could quite possibly be the best season of boot releases ever? What do you think the best month/season of boot releases was? Leave a comment below!
In preparation for the 2012 Champions League Final, taking place mere miles from their HQ, Puma have released an interesting colorway to commemorate the prestigious game. As of yet, we know for sure that Chelsea will make up one half of what is sure to be a fantastic match contested by two world class sides. Real Madrid and Bayern Munchen (who have the possibility of facing Chelsea in their home arena) will clash. The winner will dance with the Blue's come May 19th. But this post isn't about sport, is it? (Well, yeah, sort of)
The colorway, which will be offered in the V1.11 and PowerCat lines, features a nice, pearly front not unfamiliar to many Puma boots. The real intrigue is generated from the heel and instep areas of the boot, which possess curious white and blue checks inspired by the Rautenflagge, the Bavarian state flag.
(Fun Fact: Bavaria is the English name for the German state of Bayern. In English, Bayern Munchen is technically Bavaria Munich, even though Munchen is pronounced as Munich by many.)
I'm sure we'll see at least one or two players sporting these interestingly enticing boots come the 19th of May, and might possibly be worn for quite awhile afterwards, just like Adidas' purple CL colorway from 2011. Regardless, you can pick a pair up at Pro Direct Soccer for around $225:
We have now been treated to TWO different videos showcasing (very briefly, might I add) the "Lethal Zones" of the upcoming Predator. The official release will fall on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th for the uninformed :) ), and these boots seem to be generating quite a buzz.
One can already see that these boots are straying from the typical bulk of Predator's past. I personally find this pleasing, as watching a quick striker such as van Persie with the adiPower's on seemed...odd. Regardless, Adidas have purportedly slimmed the boots down to a mere "6oz", which, if true, would be incredible. Don't get your hopes up though, as they will more than likely fall somewhere between 7.5 or 8 ounces (still very light).
One thing odd about the Lethal Zone's is that there are 5 or 6 colorways circulating around. Usually, a boot will one, maybe two, colorways known pre-release, and those will be the only two for awhile. It makes me wonder if we may see a five colorway release. That would be quite exciting! Although, it would prevent the boot from having a definitive "look", such as the blue/electricity of the adiPower's, or the red/yellow of the miCoach's. Either way, this is an exciting boot that has me on the edge of my seat!
How do you feel about the Predator Lethal Zone's? Leave a comment!
Check out my preview of the LZ's, and be sure to visit my YouTube channel (theiarski)!
Searching for the right boot is hard enough. Fit, comfort, feel, use, safety, etc. Factor in price, and it can make boot buying a hectic ordeal. This is my effort to help ease this process! Once a week, I'll compile some of the best deals around the web or in stores, so you know where to come when looking for fantastic prices! Feel free to send me any deals you find as well! I'll give you a shout out in the post (only if you want it ;) ) So, without further ado, the first edition of...
Deal Day!
(4-11-12)
Clearance
The old tried and true! If you're willing to get what may not always be the newest boot, but is still superb quality, clearance item's can be a fantastic option!
Adidas Tent Sale: Search online for an Adidas Tent Sale in your area! They have AMAZING deals! You can get the highest level cleats - all for $35. Plus, they are only one model old! (Sometimes just older colorways!) If you can find one near you, rushout to it; the boot's won't last long!
Ebay: Ebay can be a great place to pick up used, and sometimes eve new, soccer cleats. Remember, however, to always be careful, and shop with discretion. If the buyer seems shady, don't trust them. If the colorway is not normally available, THEY ARE MORE THAN LIKELY KNOCK OFF BOOTS THAT WILL RIP AND DETERIORATE VERY FAST! And those are always fun ;)
So that about wraps it up for the first Deal Day! Let me know in the comments if you liked it, if I should continue, and any other feedback you would like to give. Thanks so much for reading! And remember..."Play your game!"
After much anticipation, the Nike Vapor 8's have been released, to no small audience. Debuting in two colorways, the Vapor's have caused quite a stir. Nike have abolished the Superfly line (for now), and opted to go back to the Vapor that many fell in love with.
Sail/Red Colorway
The 8's are made out of an updated Teijin micro-fiber upper, that is incredibly soft and supple. It's already being compared to the tried a true kangaroo leather of boot lore. Nike completely revamped the stud layout and build, for a futuristic looking and sharp finish.
I am dying to get my hand's on a pair of these to see them up close, but until their official release on the 29th, we'll all be wondering what these fantastic boot's have in store...
Several weeks ago, I ordered a pair of the infamous T90 kangaroo leather boots. Unbeknownst to me at the time, these boots have one near fatal flaw, but we'll get to that later. To watch the unboxing, click below:
While perusing Pro Direct Soccer, I cam across several T90's on sale. I was searching for a new pair of boots to replace my adiPure's (I'll review them soon, fantastic boots). While knowing little about this line, I decided to gamble, and the price was too good to pass up...
Appearance
As with the adiZero's I reviewed yesterday, this colorway is serviceable, but definitely not my first choice.
Right out of the box, the K-Leather (kangaroo leather) looks very soft and supple. One immediately notices the fins of the instep and strike zone. These are for cushioning passes, and providing spin on the ball. The red has a bit of a dazzling effect at first, but I grew used to it after several wears.
Performance
These boot's were fairly forgiving, and required very little break in to feel natural. I wear a size 11, and my foot is wider than long size wise, so there was the normal tiny bit of space in the toe (more on that later).
Touch
The K-leather had serviceable touch, but overall I was not impressed.
Striking/Crossing
As is the aim of the T90 range, I definitely felt like I could do some damage with these. The "strike pads" on top of the boot perform superbly, and crossing is very good, as well as getting a solid strike on the ball.
Traction
The stud pattern is nothing fancy, but still provides quality traction.
Passing
When it comes to distribution, passes feel somewhat lack luster, and the fins on the instep almost seem to interfere with trapping the ball.
Comfort
These boots are reasonably comfortable, but won't win any awards in regards to a pleasant fit. That is exactly the problem with the leather version of the boot. If you are going to buy these, buy a half size down, as they will stretch unforgivingly. As I mentioned before, there was a teensy bit of space between my toe and the end of the boot. They have now stretched as to where they are unwearable. If you are going to buy T90's, buy the synthetics. You will be extremely glad you did. You're are sacrificing very little touch for the longevity of your boot's
