Adidas Thread [10] - all info, pics, questions here

I second that....and given the less than stellar track record at adidas with quality control, I am concerned as well.

I like the concept of the boot, from an idea standpoint, but I am still skeptical that adidas can pull this off correctly.

 

Being one of the strongest critics of gimmick boots, I do tend to agree with you both. But, I will say that the rubber does allow for a different type of contact surface and it can alter the way the ball comes off your foot, slightly.

I don't think it adds more power or drastically changes the or curve but on the ball, the way the ball spins and moves can be slightly different looking when you make contact with the rubber. Granted if you can't strike a ball well, you can't even begin to understand what I am talking about.

I think the fact that Messi wore every type of Nike in their silo range shows that the boots don't really matter too much, talent prevails, as long as the shoe isn't so ill fitting that it has a negative effect in your performance.

 

I would argue that it is more 99% you, 1% boots when it comes to actual impact on your performance in a totally perfect setting. Now if your boots don't feel right, or are causing other issues, it can't have a large negative impact on your game; this is because you are focusing on something that you shouldn't be in the game, your footwear.

As for flip side of that, even when boots fit, there are some that you will just prefer for some reason, and you tend to play better in them. They either fit better than anything else, or they make you "feel" more powerful, fast, confident...whatever. You then do things that you have the ability to pull off, but maybe wouldn't if your confidence wasn't through the roof. I know that I have some boots that I just seem to play better in, because they are comfortable, and they fit/feel good. My Mizuno Morelia Japan are one, leather adiZero's are another, along with the adiPower, and more recently my CTR II's (even though they could fit slightly better, IMO). I have some boots that just didn't work fit wise (but were still good boots), and I played like crap in them because I felt like I was slipping, or they caused hot spots, for example.

I don't think the ridges make that much difference in your play, controlling or striking a ball (for passes or shots). If you have a very refined game, you might notice a bit more control in slick conditions, or a slightly different spin on bending shots, or movement on driven balls, but for the average player, it isn't going to do anything other than make them think they have bought a shoe that will make them have the "edge" that players look for. Hence the glut of wayward shots I see people with bad skills take, and think they can pull off because they are wearing a "shooting" boot.

I find it funny that companies market shoes to have a "thin upper to enhance touch" on one shoe, but produce a stiffer synthetic shoe with pads, ridges, rubber, fins, zones, or what have you to make your touch "better" at the same time. The power aspect if funny too, the shoe material might spin the ball differently due to contact surface, or have a shape that allows better contact at the sweet spot, but the strength in your shot comes from your core, then your technique.

 

While that makes sense from a materials standpoint (synthetic isn't natural, so glue sticks more), I still think they will cock it up....they always do. I love the fit of their shoes, adiZeros and adiPower specifically, but their build quality sucks. They need to apply that 40x stronger bonding deal to the outsoles.

Any word on miadidas with the LZ's? Surely you could make them mostly white on there if they offer the shoe on the service....although all the zones might be colored as oppose to one section, unless they offer different coloring options per "lethal zone".