Bladders: Latex Versus Butyl

in short
natural latex bladder - softer/natural feel (i believe the ball retains it's shape longer too)
butyl bladder - firm, but can keep the air pressure in the ball longer than latex

latex>butyl

 

i like to have a consistent feel when i have a kick around and what not so i stick with latex bladders, but if you're looking for something to play in the street than i would suggest a butyl (or PU - polyurethane) bladder because most of those balls are made out of durable materials (shell) for harsher surfaces (such as concrete)

mitre makes some good, cheap footballs

i heard select makes some of the best footballs

 

Years and years ago, when I was in europe, i had my first experience with select balls, and for the next 6 or so years, that's all I used. I LOVED them. Until I played for my HS team, we were supplied with balls, so I never used them anymore. After that they were difficult to find locally. To this day, for the money, they were the best balls i remember using. However nothing compares to the Aerow IMO...

 

Yeah, the Nike Aerow is a top notch football - it has a good balance. Better than the thermo-bonded footballs adidas has been pulling out of their ass for the past four years. The rotiero and teamgeist feel mushy and when it's wet/raining it feels slick.

 

i'm not sure whether they are the same, but they'll probably be simliar in construction and properties. i think they are the same material just different wording.