***Update: Joshua Mintz is the winner of the Reebok Instante Pro with his guess of 21. We had to have a tie-breaker to decide the winner and he guessed 5 Puma shoe boxes (the correct answer was 4 – 2 on the left, 2 on the right (note:t his image does not include all the boxes, best image I could get!)

Giveaway time again – this one will be a quick one.

Up for grabs are the Reebok Instante Pro that I used for testing a few weeks back in a size 9US. Entering is easy all you have to do is submit your guess to the below question in the comments section.

• How many shoe boxes are currently in my soccer closet?

As a hint, I can tell you that the number is somewhere between 1-40 and it could be a trick question!

Competition runs until this Wednesday morning (March 2nd), normal rules apply, open to US residents only and one entry per person. If two or more people guess the correct answer, a tie breaker question will be asked (how many of the boxes are Puma?) “Like” the post is always encouraged!

One company we hear little about here in the US soccer market is Reebok, and having tested the Reebok Instante Pro I am starting to get an understanding of just why! I must apologize for the delay in posting this review (which I started around 3 months ago) but these boots turned out to pretty tough to break in and performance all around was average at best. Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs are two of the world class players we have seen wearing these boots over the past six months. I picked up a pair in the Cobalt/White/Cherry colorway at a great price and they are what I reviewed in a size 9US.

Breaking In
This is where I encountered the greatest issue with these boots. I found that the sole of the boot is ultra stiff and I was very uncomfortable wearing them in the first few sessions. In total, it took around five or six running sessions before I was able to take them into a proper training session. All in all, it probably took two months of wearing them before I got them into an actual game! Of course, I wasn’t wearing them in consecutive training sessions so that was one factor behind why it took longer to get the review up, but of all the boots I have tested these worked out to be the toughest to break in!

Style and Design
Overall, I am a fan of how the boot looks. I tested the Cobalt Blue version, which are a little wild, but Reebok add a ton of detailing that makes them look good. For example, along the side of the boot, the blue and white is mixed to create a sort of wave effect. It is actually a little trippy to look at, especially when playing at night. Of course, there are going to be players who prefer a more subtle look, for which Reebok released a Black version.

Sizing
These boots have a narrow fit, and I think this is the one aspect that made the boot so difficult to break in. This is primarily due around the midfoot area. If you have problems with your arches and need a boot that adds a little more support these might be a perfect fit. I wore a size 9US and they fit perfectly length wise – true to size.

Performance on the Field
When I finally got these boots into a game, it didn’t take long to find out exactly what they are designed for; POWER! These are definitely power boots and are great for shooting is. Reebok have a built in power unit along the front of the soleplate. This sort of mimics what used to be the powerpulse unit in the Adidas Predator Pulse. Its purpose is to give you more momentum on shots – with the goal of increasing your shot power. I found this to be the high point of the boot!

Negatives
I found several negatives with this release. First off was the length for which it too to break them in. It definitely was not a fun process. If you have a narrow fitting boot I think this will be less of an issue. The second thing I am not a fan of is the weight, a modest 11.4oz. Of course, this is related to the fact that they are a power boot, but then I look at a boot like the Nike T90 Laser and ask why they can’t find areas where weight can be reduced. Overall, I just wasn’t won over by this cleat!

Summary
I just browsed around some websites and it seems like this boot has run its course, and they are currently pretty tough to find here in the US. Following my testing, I am giving these boots a low score overall. They were tough to break in, and other than being a pretty impressive power boot, they offer little else. If you have a narrow foot and need to try something different then these boots might be an ideal match – but again, you will need to hunt down a pair! With players like Ryan Giggs and Thierry Henry having sported the range I was expecting a little more. I think Reebok are overdue a fresh new release sometime soon!

The boot comes in a gold leather upper with Reebok’s signature red stripes, also in leather, detailing the side. Stitching on the cleat follows the same trend in a red detail and it adds an interesting clash to the primary gold. Giggs signature is also featured at the back of the cleat. When you flip the boot over, you get a sense of how influential Giggs has been to the game as all of his accomplishments have been printed along the soleplate. The list easily covers one boot! I am a huge Giggs fan and admire all that he has done (including ‘that’ wonder goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup) so personally the boot appeals to me, especially since it is limited edition.

As reference, the release of this boot marks Giggs 800th appearance for Manchester United and there are only 800 pairs available to buy (each one will be individually numbered.) If you decide to get a pair, they come in a special commemorative box, and are currently available over at Soccer.com.

In Reebok’s current campaign, they make Giggs out to be in a jail, getting his picture taken for speeding on the soccer field wearing the Reebok Instante cleats. It is a pretty simple concept in terms of advertising, but it works well and is effective. We recently discussed the Instante Pro and also had the opportunity to talk to Richard Wright, Reebok’s director of soccer. Check it out here. I am an admirer of Reebok cleats, and what I like about the Instante’s is the fact that they are lightweight and offers good comfort. What makes these cleats even more special right now is the fact that they are on sale for $104.99 (that is $60 off as of 09.02.2009).

The Instante Pro is a cleat that delivers comfort with the benefit of being light on your feet. Although they do not compare in weight to their sister cleat the Sprintfit, the Instante Pro is created using a lightweight Teijin microfiber upper. The outsole has a ballistic mesh Power Unit that allows for rigidity in one direction and flexibility in the other, improving shot power as it does not spring down like other cleats. They are slim fitting, more like the adidas adiPURE than the Nike Total 90’s. A reinforced carbon fiber composite insert in the forefoot compliments the ballistic mesh Power Unit and aids in powerful shots. Inside you will also find an ortholite sockliner with high-density Ortholite padding in the heel for added cushioning. On the outer area of the heel, Reebok have visibly placed their name, allowing players chasing you to see how quick you are! These cleats are currently available at soccer.com.

We had an opportunity to speak to Reebok’s Director of Soccer, Richard Wright who is based in the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, UK. Richard seems very excited about the current release. I asked him what sets this cleat apart from the rest, “The Power Unit on the Valde Pro/Instante Pro sets it apart, giving the player more speed in his shot/pass.” Reebok have put alot of work and effort into creating this cleat, in fact “18 months of design and development from start to finish” says Richard. Having two players in the Champions League finals, and on opposite teams was huge for Reebok “Both played in the Champions League Final and gave us great exposure”, sending the Reebok Instante Pro off to an excellent start. I asked Richard what we should expect in the next few months to which he replied “Well, the Instante Pro will be in the market in July this year, having just been launched at the Champion’s League Final. New colours of the Valde Pro will also be released for the new season in August.” Stay tuned and watch out for more release.

Also Check Out:
Reebok Valde Pro Cleats
Reebok Sprintfit Pro II

Here is the lowdown on the cleats:

• Ball Control Type: rubber-framed power unit
• Insole Removable: yes
• Lacing: Asymmetrical
• Midsole performance features: Ortholite sockliner for cushioning
• Outsole Performance features: carbon fiber
• Primary Upper Material: Kangaroo leather
• Stud Shape: Conical
• Suitable For: Firm Natural Surfaces
• Weight: 11.4 oz.

Now for the available colors. The Valde Pro comes in a Black/White/Athletic Yellow/Red Attack and a White/Black/Cycle Blue/Silver colorway. I am not a big fan of the black version (seen to the left). To me it looks a little cheap and not exactly what I expect from a new Reebok cleat. But the White version (seen above) is a great looking cleat. It is very classy and something that I think looks like a desirable cleat. The retail price of these cleats is $192.49, but there are great prices available to  get these cleats with big savings. Check out the full range at Soccer.com.

Also Check Out:
Reebok Sprintfit Pro II
Adidas Porsche Design S2 Grid

Giggs, in particular, has been associated with Reebok for a long time. In this 2006 commercial, Giggs win the World Cup in his back garden, beating England in the process. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNQKE0x-JfA]