I just got word from a pretty trusted source that Concave Sports have filed for bankruptcy and will finish trading this year. At this point, the news is simply speculation but if it is true, it will be a shock since the company recently signed Manchester United defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown as wearers of the technologically advanced boots.

Having tested the Concave PT+, I found that there was a section of the market that the range would appeal to. Every player looks for something different in a soccer cleat, whether it be a lightweight feel or simply a good leather for improved touch. The Concave PT+ Classic offered something completely different for soccer players. You not only get a power boot, but you have confidence in the fact that you have the most protection available by far on the market.

Overall, I wasn’t a huge fan of  the Concave design and the responsiveness of the boot on the field,  but I will be sad to see them fold as it removes a very promising option from the market.

If you are looking to test out a pair before the company closes, I recommend checking out either the Leather Concave PT+ for $99 or the Original Concave PT1 for only $60.

Concave continue to bring their range to the next level with their latest installment the PT+ Classic. Over the past year, there is one thing we have learned about Concave; they want to create a boot that offers the most comprehensive protection for a player, while not sacrificing comfort or performance. In fact, the design of the boot is such that it aims to provide even better performance than a regular soccer cleat. In recent times, I reviewed the Concave PT+ and a lot of this review will be pretty similar to what I said then, although the pleated K-leather upper adds a whole new dynamic to this version! For testing, I wore a size 9US in the White version

Front Concave Metaguard Component
Since it is such a key part of this boot, I thought it only right to give it its own section! I call it the front plate out of convenience, but Concave refer to it as the ‘Concave Component’. It is designed to increase the sweet spot area, while also giving increased protection to the metatarsal region. Over the first few training sessions, it takes time to get used to it. Initially, you are giving up the feeling of the ‘first touch’. The front plate is raised off the cleat, and is made of a material that feels like plastic, so when the ball meets your foot you feel less impact. Another issue is that they make your foot a little top heavy, and when you run in them it feels a little odd. After some time wearing them, you become more familiar with how they feel. To perfect these boots, you need to be patient….knowing when you do adjust to them, they will offer something no other boot can.

Breaking In
The breaking in phase is a little complex. In terms of comfort, they are a great boot. But their design is completely different to anything else on the market and it takes time to adjust to their nature. I wore these in 2 or 3 training sessions before breaking them out into a game. I didn’t encounter any blisters and they were super comfortable in the first game. One question I get asked a lot is if the front plate causes any discomfort? The answer is no, Concave have your foot well protected in the areas you need it so you don’t feel it against your foot as you twist and turn. You will definitely use the shoe horn provided with the cleats as they are tough to get on your feet!

Should I wear them from box to game?
The answer is no! You are going to need a few training sessions to adjust to the technology. Your touch will feel a little funny to start, but once you get comfortable moving with the ball they will offer many positives to your game.

Technology
So, I guess the question is how good is the technology?

Well, first thing is shot power. I do think that there is an increase in shot power with these cleats after testing them. One thing is for sure, it makes it a lot easier to strike the ball straight and you don’t have to worry about any negative impact on the front of your foot. The second question is does it protect you from injury? I haven’t encountered any bad tackles while wearing them, but I did do a little experiment!  *Do not try this at home* I dropped a 5lb dumbbell from about a foot up straight down onto the front plate area while wearing the boot. Thankfully, the do offer great protection as I didn’t feel any impact from the dumbbell. If it was another players studs, I feel it would offer the same protection. No other boot can do this. This helps protect your metatarsal region, an area vulnerable to injury as we have seen in recent times.

Important to note is that you are going to need time in order to adjust to these. If you are willing to take the time to transition to the technology it will be worth it, but for players who wear light cleats like Vapor’s or F50i’s it would be a little more difficult. If you wear Total 90′s or Adidas Predators then the transition will be easier.

Size and Weight
You might be surprised to hear that the PT+ Classic officially weighs in at an impressive 11.7oz, considering the amount of technology included. They are slightly heavier than the PT+ (around 0.6oz.) The weight difference seems to lie in the sole. In terms of size, I have mentioned with previous versions that they fit a half size long, but it is needed because of the design of the boot. The same is true with the PT+ Classic. If you like your boots to fit snug then my advice is definitely to order a half size down. They might be slightly tight to start but there is some give in the leather. Also, they fit wide so if you have a narrow foot they will not be a suitable option.

Negatives
The one negative I have is the time it takes to adjust to the technology. You are going to need a few training session to be able to perfect your touch and control, while the front of the boot feels top heavy when running.

Summary
Every player looks for something different in a soccer cleat. Some players like lightweight while others like touch. The Concave PT+ Classic offers something completely unique to the market. You are not only getting a power boot, but you can also hold comfort in the fact that you have the most protective boot available by far. Manchester United defender John O’Shea is set to wear them this season in the English Premier League, showing they have appeal to the big players.

*Boots supplied for review by Concave Soccer

Next up for review is a boot full of innovative technology, designed with optimum protection in mind – the Concave PT+. In recent times you might have caught one of the Concave reviews I featured, but this is the classic version, a boot that features a pretty tasty Kangaroo Leather upper. When the word K-Leather is added on a boot, something seems to change! There is a ton of technology involved in the cleat, too much to get to right now, but hold tight for a full review next week. With the likes of John O’Shea set to wear the boot in the premier League next season, you know that they have plenty of positives. For now, let me know below if you have had the opportunity to test out any of the Concave range.

]]> http://www.soccercleats101.com/2010/06/30/in-review-concave-pt-classic/feed/ 10 http://www.soccercleats101.com/2009/11/11/concave-gaining-some-added-momentum/ http://www.soccercleats101.com/2009/11/11/concave-gaining-some-added-momentum/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:26:45 +0000 bryan http://www.soccercleats101.com/?p=2651 Over the past week or two, Concave have been increasing their presence on the soccer market. Back in August, we spoke to Concave Dave about the companies approach to the market and the technology behind the Concave range of cleats. Concave have not really attempted any crazy marketing strategy for their current range, instead they are banking on word of mouth and the hope that those who wear the cleat will share their opinions. This past weekend saw Manchester United’s John O’ Shea sporting a pair in their Premier League game with Chelsea. Is he going to be the ambassador for Concave cleats?  I expect to see more players wearing them in top flight games in the coming weeks. And to be honest, it is refreshing to see another brand making their move in what is an extremely difficult, yet lucrative, market.

Today I spotted two great articles on Concave’s that I recommend checking out:

• Conversations in Soccer – Dave Frederick from Concave Sports
  TheOriginalWinger have the latest review with Dave Frederick, or ‘Concave Dave’. There are some great in-depth answer, especially when it comes to Concave’s business approach.

• Burgess’s Boots – Concave Convert?
  Found this one over at Ransacker. Ben Burgess, who is a pro soccer player for Championship side Blackpool, has been the testing Concave’s for the past few weeks and shares his opinion. Great in-depth review.

Also worth checking out is our review of the Concave PT+, where we had the opportunity to put on a pair and test them out over a few weeks. I expect to hear more about Concave in the coming weeks and have no doubt that they will be seeing some time in the spotlight!

Danny Webber of Sheffield United

The recent release on the advanced Concave range of soccer cleats has people asking ‘what the heck is all this new technology about?’ Recently, we had the opportunity to review the Concave PT+, resulting in pretty positive results, although it left me with questions about how a company could come up with this unusual design. In order to get to get some answers, we tracked down Dave Frederick (aka ‘Concave Dave’), the head of US and UK Sports Marketing who was more than willing to enlighten us! Here is how it went down:

Dave, thanks for taking the time to talk to us about Concave. Lets start at the beginning, how was the company formed?
Dave: In 2007 a group based in Toronto acquired the assets of an Australian company that initially developed the beginnings of the Concave technology. Since 2007 we have been concentrating on refining the technology and bringing it to the soccer community.

In your experience, what have the challenges been getting the Concave brand out to the public?
Dave: Being a new brand in a very mature congested space has presented significant challenges, add in the global economic climate over the past 18 months and we have had our hands full of overcoming challenges.

The market has been tough! There has obviously been a tremendous amount of research and development tat as gone into creating the PT range, can you tell us a little about this?
Dave: The initial concept started with the idea that striking a round object with a rounded surface can be improved upon (convex to convex). The concave surface on the top of our boots is a curve perfectly matched to a size 5 soccer ball. We have continuously worked on improving the design on the instep to harmonize it with the boot and player’s foot. We feel the current design, with the Metaguard integrated into the shoe upper achieves our goal.

A lot of people put trust in buying online these days making even tougher for new brands. In your opinion, if people invest, what should people expect when they buy a pair of Concave’s?
Dave: We are in the midst of our UK and US release right now. We will have the shoes in soccer specialty shops (football specialty shops in the UK), certain online stores, as well as ecommerce available through the Concave site so people in regions where there are no specialty stores can have access to the shoes. Buyers can expect a very comfortable boot which will give them the benefits of our technology increasing both power and accuracy. Touch and feel for short passing, control and dribbling are all evident after a training session or two. In addition to the playing functionality there is the added benefit of increased protection, particularly to the metatarsal area of the foot. The likes of John Terry and Michael Owen could probably attest to the benefit of having added protection and not missing months worth of games.

What professional players have tested or currently wear the cleats?
Dave: We are in the process of negotiating with several pros playing in the EPL and SPL, as well as other European leagues. Scott Palguta of the Colorado Rapids and Brandon Barklage of DC United have been wearing Concaves throughout the current MLS season.

SoccerCleats101 appreciate you taking the time to discuss the Concave range Dave! We encourage anyone that wants to know more about the cleats, or anyone who has purchased a Concave cleat, to leave a question or comment below. Dave has assured us that if anyone has a question he is more than willing to respond. Currently you can get your hands on a pair of Concave PT-1 at soccer.com for an amazing $97.99.

Without much of a welcome party, the Concave PT-1 silently entered the US market last September.

Full review to follow, keep posted! In the mean time check out all the info available at www.concave.com or get yourself a pair from soccer.com for $139.99.

The Concave PT+ is a boot built on the concept of support and protection! Every soccer season, we see new developments and innovation in soccer cleat technology, and this past year was no different. One of the latest cleats to arrive on the market and cause a stir is the advanced Concave PT+. Concave have put a lot of work into creating a cleat that provides an advanced level of safety while also matching some of the current big sellers in relation to style and functionality. So, here is what to expect from the Concave PT+:

• Front Concave Metaguard component
• SBS: Shank Balance Stabilizer
• Soft K-Leather Upper
• Light weight upper
• Removable sock liner
• 15% shooting power increase in independent testing

To be honest, testing these cleats became a personal challenge as I wanted to see if the technology was all that! The front cover plate looks like something from a science fiction movie, so it has to do something special, right? So, I got a bag of soccer balls, grabbed my goalkeeper buddy Bryan Hill, and headed out to a local soccer pitch to see what damage I could do! For this review I wore a size US9, and although it is a little long, it is needed for these to feel comfortable. If you normally wear a size 9, that is what I would recommend.

Breaking In
Getting your foot into the PT+ for the first time is the biggest challenge! Because of the design of the front plate and how it is positioned, there is little room to slip your foot in. But don’t worry, Concave include a pretty nifty shoe horn to help you get them on! It did take a few training sessions to break these in, especially since the whole feel of the cleat differs from any other brand. Over the first few sessions, the boot became more comfortable and it does end up giving you a glove like fit. One thing going for the cleat is the Shank Balance Stabiliser (SBS) on the soleplate. It is very easy to find this area as it is a series of ridges on the bottom of the boot and it serves a great purpose, support and reinforcement. Even though there is plenty of flexibility in the sole plate, the SBS area keeps the sole from over extending and reduces the risk of metatarsal injuries.

Front Concave Metaguard Component
Since it is such a key part of this boot, I thought it only right to give it its own section! I call it the front plate out of convenience, but Concave refer to it as the ‘Concave Component’. It is designed to increase the sweet spot area, while also giving increased protection to the metatarsal region. Over the first few training sessions, it takes time to get used to it. Initially, you are giving up the feeling of the ‘first touch’. The front plate is raised off the cleat, and is made of a material that feels like plastic, so when the ball meets your foot you feel less impact. Another issue is that they make your foot a little top heavy, and when you run in them it feels a little odd. After some time wearing them, you become more familiar with how they feel. To perfect these boots, you need to be patient….knowing when you do adjust to them, they will offer something no other boot can.

Are they Effective?
They are extremely effective for their purpose. In independent testing, shooting power was increased by 15%, while accuracy was increased by 30%. After wearing them for a few weeks, I strongly agree with the results! Sh0oting with them is sweet, especially when you catch it right where you want or you just catch it along the front plate. The negative to playing long balls or shooting with these is the fact that you have a lot of room for error, the front plate is long and wide. In terms of protection, there is probably not a better cleat on the market! The front plate does take a lot of the impact out of shooting, so no matter how you strike the ball your foot feels protected.

Performance and Technology
So, I guess the question is how good is the technology. Well, first thing is shot power. I do think that there is an increase in shot power with these cleats after. One thing is for sure, it makes it a lot easier to strike the ball and you don’t have to worry about the impact on the front of your foot. The second question is does it protect you from injury? Fortunately for me, I have not had to encounter a tackle that could have inured that area on my foot while testing these cleats (I am sure I will at some stage) but I do believe that the front panel will offer substantially more protection than the normal cleats. Important to note is that these cleats do take a little bit of time to transition to. If you are willing to take the opportunity to adjust to the technology then it is completely worth it, but for players who wear light cleats like Vapor’s or F50i’s it would be a little more difficult. If you wear Total 90′s or Adidas Predators then the transition would be easier.

It’s Place On The Market
Here is the thing, Concave are going to need to make changes to this boot in order for it to become a staple. Overall, they serve their intended purpose but they are extremely bulky and the shot shield makes for a clumsy feel on the ball. My suggestion would be to use a lighter material and make it more rounded at the edges. Then focus on marketing them to the right type of player!

Summary
As a winger, I found the front of the cleat to be extremely top heavy for me – not a boot I would use. If I was to recommend these cleats for a player, there are a few I would choose. First off, goalkeepers, as these cleats are ideal for knocking long balls, and will offer a great advantage when trying to clear back-passes! Kick outs will also be easy to drive straight down the field. Defenders will have the advantage of complete protection, and the opportunity to knock quick long balls at speed as will the ‘Kaiser’, or hard hitting center midfielder. The final player is the target center forward. The target man has the job of taking the ball down and either laying it off or turning to shoot on target. Having a boot that offers improved accuracy and shot power, while also protecting from defenders studs is a very suitable match!