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Many football boot enthusiasts have made it clear that they feel the top brands are going

Many football boot enthusiasts have made it clear that they feel the top brands are going overboard with the gimmicks. I have to agree and am beginning to wonder when it will end.

With new technologies being introduced with the release of every new football boot, buyers arent sure what to believe these days. While many football boots are touted for their Speed, Touch, or Power, their design is slowly but surely straying away from their purpose. Have the football boot brands finally out-gimmicked their own gimmicks?

Adidas Predator

2009 alone has seen the introduction of three new models to the Predator range. Each are acknowledged for their apparent Power, Swerve, and Control. A Fantasy Predator as well as a ClimaCool Predator designed for David Beckham have also been released. Funny that Adidas has decided to develop individual boots for each Predator element, as when last I checked, the Predator PowerSwerve was supposed to combine all three of those elements?

Adidas Predator Control

Adidas F50 TUNiT

This range is the most guilty of them all. With a new upper being released approximately every 10 months, Adidas cant seem to keep from these boots rolling off the production line. Id suggest that its Alles Klar technology is questionable and there have been some well known defects associated with the TUNiT system.

Adidas F50.9

Nike Mercurial

Nikes Vapor range has been made to be viewed as extremely lightweight boots. With that being said each new Vapor has brought with it a few extra grams. Though I understand theyve had to focus more on safety due to the recurring injury of the metatarsal, there have been unnecessary additions to the Vapor that detract from its sleekness and weigh it down.

A prime example of this is the Vapor IVs Glass Fibre heel wrap, which is basically useless. Because of these changes many Vapor fans have wished for the return of original Vapor I and IIs??? features. Despite these negatives Nike has made progress through the evolution of their NikeSkin. Todays Vapors feature just one seam in the upper and is made of Teijin leather wrapped in a clear tactile coating that creates a gripped surface for all playing conditions. Perhaps the imminent release of the Mercurial Vapor Superfly could change our view?

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly

Nike Total 90

In manys eyes the Laser II has failed to live up to its predecessor. With the shotshields area being increased to the whole forefoot with minimal effect and a V-Twin lacing system that is not very functional, why change the winning formula of the original Laser?

And the rest

Lottos TwistNGo technology is subject to question as to if it improves the function of the modern day football boot. It seems to be just another technology included to up the price of the boot.

Lotto TwistNGo

Companies have been investing more and more of their time in the aesthetics of their boots while adding unnecessary changes. Is it time these companies take it back to the basics? Let us know what you think.

By Matt Dawson