Over the past few months, we have been astounded with all the ultra-lightweight boots being released on the market. One of those boots is the Adidas F50 adiZero series – at 5.8oz one of the lightest soccer cleats you will ever get our hands on. A few months back I had the opportunity to test both the synthetic and leather original releases in the range, but recently Adidas changed things up with an update to the overall look and feel of boot. In order to test out how the new and old compared, and to see if there were any enhancements to the newest release, I grabbed a pair of the new Warning/Black/White colorway in a size 9US.

Breaking In
Contrary to popular belief, lightweight boots can actually break-in in a pretty quick time period. Because this version of the F50 adiZero is made with a synthetic upper, you are going to have more room at the top of the boot for your toes to move. I did find them slightly uncomfortable for the first few wears, but because I had the right size to begin, it didn’t take long for them to feel pretty well suited to the fit and shape of my foot. My advice is to make sure you have the right size before taking these on a proper workout. If they feel a little tight take the time to loosen them up in a few jogging sessions. The area around the heel is nicely padded, but it is still thin and is prone to causing blisters if they are too tight. The pair I tested were a size 9US and I found that they fit true to size.

The New Design
The differences between the new and the old design are pretty minimal. Other than a redesigned tongue and a change to the look and feel of the upper you are getting the same boot with the same performance. The tongue now features a higher midpoint compared to the previous release. This allows it to sit slightly higher just above your ankle. It is more aesthetic than anything, but if you found the old version was uncomfortable where it met your ankle this new feature was designed for you!

The overall look of the upper has been modified, with the F50 logo moving to the lower outside region of the boot and Adidas have added a sort of ladder design that runs from the laces down where the upper and soleplate meet at the front of the boot. It adds a uniquely new look to the boot and I have to say I like it. Adidas have also swapped out the Grip’n Groove feel for a new streamline tiered design. Again, this has less to do with performance and more to do with the look of the boot.

Synthetic upper
Adidas use their technologically advanced Sprintskin to drastically reduce the weight of the adizero. Sprintskin is a very thin, single layer microfiber upper that features subtle texture. Synthetic is not designed to stretch much, and for this reason the size you order is pretty much going to be the size you want to play in. One of the most common questions I get is “leather or synthetic” – my personal answer is leather simply for the touch, but with synthetic you are getting a more manageable boot that has better weatherproof properties. Worth checking out is our post that compares the Leather versus Synthetic upper.

Performance
Again, I definitely enjoyed wearing the synthetic F50 adiZero. When you take these out of the box for the first time the weight will blow your mind! It is absolutely astounding how light they feel, and the same is true when you get them on the field. Adding to that, they offer a very competitive level of touch and control. The soleplate offers a very minimal look, but bends in the right ways to allow for adequate traction on firm ground. Do these boots make you faster? It is unlikely that any boot actually makes you faster, but it does offer the right mix to give you every advantage possible. I found that while wearing them, I psychologically felt faster, whether I actually was or not is up for debate! Overall, you will enjoy the performance of the boot.

Negatives
The obvious negative is protection. Because the upper is so light you are increasing the opportunity for injury to the front of the boot. But guess what, they are a speed boot so you should definitely be aware of this when buying a pair. For a lightweight boot, the F50 adiZero offer great comfort and support. In saying that, there is no doubt that like any other lightweight boot out there these will not suit certain players and will cause certain discomfort. But again, this is just part and parcel of what you can expect from a speed boot that has less material/padding.

Summary
Again, what a boot these are! We are now pretty familiar with the list of lightweight boots that are on the market, but I still find myself questioning how companies like Adidas are able to do it! Add lightweight and the fact that you are getting a decently comfortable boot and the package is very appealing. Ensuring you have the right size is critical to getting the most of the F50 adiZero, if you can get it right you will be very happy with them. They are going to suit wingers and quick forwards the most, but if you can get past the issue of protection then they are a good option for all positions. As a heads up, there is also a leather version currently available in the same colorway!

*Boots supplied for review by Adidas

Plenty going on in the last few weeks and things will only continue to get busier as we hit the Christmas period! There have been releases coming thick and fast, including the Nike CTR360 Maestri II and the Adidas adiPure IV – both of which are good looking boots in my opinion. Here is a breakdown of some of the other stories worth mentioning right now:

• There were plenty of disappointed people who missed out on the $80 Adidas F50 adiZero deal that went down on Cyber Monday. Well I just spotted this one today – right now over at World Soccer Shop you can now find the adizero at a pretty tasty $110! Add code 7WSS1231 at checkout to add free shipping. It is not quiet as good a price, but it is probably the best you will get running up to the Christmas holidays. The pair on offer come in the Chameleon colorway and have a synthetic upper.
  *UPDATE: Offer has finished* but I did, however, notice the adiPURE III is on sale today for $93 at soccer.com!
  

• Don’t forget that you can still find all the latest and greatest on our Steals and Deals page – as always if you find a deal send it our way so that we can add it.

• Four-Four-Two currently have a signed Wayne Rooney Nike T90 Laser III boot up for grabs!

• Check out my buddy Johnny Alcaraz new Christian blog Ministry Of Soccer – it is pretty awesome, and features a mix of soccer and faith. Well worth bookmarking in my opinion. Johnny played soccer professionally at Houston Dynamo.

• Top Drawer Soccer have their yearly SPY award nominees listed on their website – and Soccer Cleats 101 is listed under the top blog category. The other sites in the category are some of my go to websites for soccer news, so it is great to be acknowledged alongside them! Head over and give one of the sites your vote (I would, of course, love if that vote went to SoccerCleats101!)

• Later this week we will have a full Puma King Diego review posted. They have been truly put through their paces! There will also be a post on some AG boots, compliments of a guest writer. The Reebok Valde Pro review is also in the works and will be posted soon – although a few weeks behind schedule!

• If you want another viewpoint on the Nike T90 Laser III Elite boot, check out the review posted by Eugene Kan on his blog. Although the boots didn’t work out for Kan, it is additional feedback that might come in useful for other players thinking about buying. Also includes some great pics of his boots.

• Giveaways coming up include some free pairs of Hot Shot Gels, another SC101 T-shirt giveaway, and what you all are probably waiting for, a pre-Christmas soccer cleat giveaway! Stay tuned for more info in the next few days.

• Finally, this weekend sees the Division 1 NCAA College Cup Final Four take place at UCSB. I will be there to meet up with all my old Alumni buddies – if you are going to be up there for the games let me know!

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The latest installment of the Adidas Predator X to be released comes in a rather bright Electricity/Black/Poppy color. The electricity color on these really makes the boot pop, especially coupled with the poppy red detailing. The one thing I like about these is how Adidas have mixed a black and red color along the predator strike zone, it is completely different and makes the Predator text stand out.

One look at these and they remind me of a previous version of the Predator range – the Adidas Predator Accelerator in Electric that were released around 1999 (link goes through to a video of the boots.) There are obviously a lot of significant differences between the releases, but they do have a resemblance.

One of Adidas’ developments on this cleat is a new upper material called ‘Taurus’. You can tell that quality materials are used in this cleat by the feel of the full-grain calf leather. Along with its super-soft, lightweight properties, you also get the added bonus of weatherproofing. One thing that is very noticeable about these soccer cleats is how thin the material feels. Adidas maintains that this allows for a barefoot feeling when touching the ball, and I tend to agree with that after testing.

Since there are so many players playing on artificial surfaces these days, it seems only appropriate that I branch into reviews of shoes designed specifically for turf surfaces. First up, I have been testing the Lemon Peel/Fairway version of the Adidas adi5 X turf shoe over the past 4 weeks. There are several benefits to wearing turf shoes – specifically that they are specific to a surface – but my experiences in the past have led me away from wearing them. Then again, I don’t think I ever really gave a pair an extended period of wear to really get a good feel for them. For testing, I wore a size 9US. Also, I got a little “artsy” with the images for this review!

Breaking In
One of the first things you notice is how these shoes are so similar to everyday running shoes, and just like running shoes they break in very easily. Overall, I found that they broke in from the very first wear and it only took a training session to realize how smooth the transition would be to a full game. They are well padded, so there is little fear of getting any blisters as long as you are wearing your right size. I got to wear them in 4 games and also on an older and a newer version turf surface – both of which turned out to be positive experiences.

Whats with the Design?
Basically, the front design of the shoe is a rubber covering that layers along the top of a mesh underlay. The green area is the mesh fabric, while the yellow cris-cross design is the rubber. This is the touch compound that allows for better touch and control on the ball. The rest of the boot is actually a synthetic upper.

Is the Touch Compound effective?
The answer is yes, it does serve its purpose. The rubber offers a slightly sticky feeling when the ball hits your foot, allowing for a little extra grip and control. I found it was noticeable on the ball and entirely in a good way. So, I like this added technology a lot and hope to see it developed on future releases. Adidas do have some work to do on it though, as I found the rubber wore off over time in areas where I was controlling the ball often.

What about the Mesh Underlay?
One of the things I don’t personally like about these boots is the mesh underlay as it really doesn’t offer much protection to the top of your foot. And on striking the ball, I can’t say I ever felt like I was getting full power behind the ball. There could be a large psychological effect behind this, as you are aware striking the ball that you will feel more impact.

Sizing and Fit compared to Cleats
In terms of sizing, think “sneaker” as that is exactly how these fit. In fact, I have found myself actually wearing these around as they are super comfortable and look good as an everyday shoe! They have plenty of padding and support, so in general they work quiet well as a running shoe. I found them to be a little wider than regular size soccer cleats as the joining of the upper to sole is less dramatic.

Comfort
Plain and simple, I found these to be one of the more comfortable all around shoes I have worn on a pitch. They are specifically designed for turf surfaces so that is where they are going to be most effective. I not encountered any problems in terms of comfort throughout testing and on the turf surface I encountered no slipping or sliding. That really is the biggest bonus to wearing a specific shoe for the surface. To be honest, it was one thing I was skeptical about going into the review, but in games when I needed to turn quick and accelerate, the turf sole was very effective in offering grip and comfort.

Negatives
First off is the mesh underlay, as I feel you need more protection on the upper foot area – especially with other players choosing to wear FG blades on artificial surfaces. The second problem was with the rubber touch compound that seemed to wear off over time, exposing the mesh area to the surface.

Summary
One area where I feel these boots will really appeal is to coaches. They are a perfect match for coaches who need something they feel comfortable in and can demo on the ball with total confidence. Add to that the fact that you are getting absolute value for money (around $60 a pair) and they are an excellent purchase. Personally, I feel they lack a little added protection/padding on the front of the ball when striking but other than that I found them to be extremely effective. In hindsight, it turns out wearing turf specific shoes is not as bad as I first thought and I am now looking forward to testing out some other turf specific shoes. Finally, if the Lemon Peel/Fairway color is not for you, there is also a Black/Infrared version available.

(Boots supplied for review by soccer.com)

In the last few weeks, I have had more than a few review requests for boots I have not reviewed. So, I thought it would be worth sharing with you what is currently on tap to be featured in the next few weeks. Recently, there really haven’t been many new soccer cleat releases, but there are other boots on the market that I haven’t tested. And believe me when I say things have been pretty busy off the website, and I have been taking every opportunity possible to get out and test the new arrivals. Here is whats lined in for the next few weeks:

• First up is the Adidas Copa Mundial review (as feature in edition 2). I have finished testing and am currently in the process of finishing up the review. Biggest finding is in sizing – you are going to want to order down a size. Stay tuned for more details.

• Also in line for review is the Reebok Instante Pro – as worn by Thierry Henry. To be honest, they are proving a little difficult to break in so it might take another few weeks to have the review listed. On top of that, and for those of you who have asked, a pair of Adi5 X Turf shoes are on back-order to arrive later this month.

• Competition season! We have two pretty awesome competitions coming up. Can anyone say Nike Vapor VI Cherry? We have a brand new pair and one of you will be winning them! On top of that, the team at Concave have offered up a pair of their super advanced PT+ Classics for giveaway! More to follow.

• Just arrived: In the mail today, the Lotto Stadio Azzuri I ordered from ShoeMetro…and a pair of Umbro GT Pro to compare against the speed range. Both will be in review in the next two weeks.

• Finally, if you haven’t heard of Hot Shot Gels yet, you will in the next few weeks as they sent over some pairs of their revolutionary soccer aids. They basically fit in the front of your cleat and act as an added layer of protection for your feet. On top of that, we have a few extra pairs that we will be getting readers to review.

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“I played college soccer and used Adidas Copa Mundial throughout my career. I still play 3 times per week at a competitive level. I discovered Adidas Predators about 4 years ago and have been an avid fan ever since. No other boot gave me the comfort (I have a wide foot), and the power when passing, crossing, or shooting the ball. However, I always found these boots did not last long. They keep tearing alongside the insole or at the bottom where the laces begin. At $220 per boot, this is no joke. The last ones I bought, got the tongue lace ripped and the tongue was flapping everywhere (not the greatest touch after that) so I was really excited about this boot with no tongue and the latest advances in technology. I bought the white and yellow type and on my first day I got blisters. Blisters on a Predator boot?? This was unthinkable as to me this has been the most comfortable boot ever, it always fit like a glove to my wide feet (The Predator Power swerve, that is) I have worn the Predator X 3 more times after that and still don’t find the “glove” fit of before. The leather burns me at the top of my foot (I had blisters there too) and my feet never feel in place in these boots. I usually wear size 8.5 in the old Preds and bought same size for the X. Maybe I need to buy size 8? (They just don’t fit tight)

I believe Adidas should have kept the Kangaroo leather in the new Preds. This calf leather is not as supple and does not conform to your foot. I had to buy Adipures III’s and with the Kangaroo leather they molded to my feet after 2 games. They fit just perfect and no blisters. The adipures are light but I miss the technology and power (the ease when crossing or when making long passes) of the Predators. Everybody keeps saying they fit awesome but in my case this is not happening at all.

Has anybody else experienced the same issues as I with the Predator? I really wanted to love the boot. Don’t care about the looks, just the performance.
Thank you.”

Current Chivas USA Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in action

Name: Dan Kennedy
Position:GK
Team History:UCSB 2001-04
Puerto Rico Islanders 2005(USL)
Club Deportivo Municipal Iquique 2005-08(Chile)
Chivas USA 2008-

Cleat size: 10.5
Sneaker size:11

Preferred cleat? Predator firm grounds
In one sentence why? Very comfortable and I like the control I feel that I have with the ball.

What do you look for when choosing a cleat? Color- I usually wear black cleats, Comfort- I do not enjoy blisters, and weight- nothing too heavy

How much would you pay for the perfect pair?
$200 seems to be the standard for nice cleats these days, so I guess I wouldnt pay more than that.

What advice would you give to someone when choosing a new pair of cleats?
I usually have about 4 pairs of cleats, three firm grounds and one soft ground…I like the firm ground cleats to play in when the conditions permit, I also like to train in them. I always have a firm ground broken in and ready to go…for rainy and wet conditions…I usually rotate my cleats using them for games only in the begining, then once they start showing wear and tear I turn them into my training boots. I usually clean and leather food all my cleats the day before the game.

Danny Kennedy is currently one of the leading goalkeepers in MLS. His leadership qualities are well renowned, shown by his captaincy of the 2004 UCSB team that played in the schools first ever National Championship Final game. We thank Dan for sharing his knowledge on soccer cleats with us!

What do you look for when choosing a cleat? Comfort first and then the look

How much would you pay for the ‘perfect’ pair? Up to $200

What advice, from your experience, would you give someone buying cleats?
I prefer to buy my boots a half size smaller and wear them in the shower before I use them to stretch them out. Thats just personal preference because when I buy the correct size and wear them in the rain, they stretch too much and dont fit. I have 2 pairs of firm ground and 2 pairs of soft ground. They are all predators and i use two of them for training and the other 2 for games. I would say once you find a pair you like and are comfortable with dont change them.

Are there any other tips you can give?
Dont put your boots on the radiator to dry them. Use vaseline to keep the leather soft.

Neil, thanks for joining us and letting our readers in on your tips!
First, What do you look for when choosing a cleat?
First and foremost, they must be made of leather. I am not a fan of the new plastic type cleats, they do not conform to my foot and are not comfortable in my opinion. I am also not a fan of colored cleats, I guess I am just old fashioned! I like black cleats. Also, I would rather have round molded cleats on the sole as opposed to blades. My perfect pair of cleats would be Adidas Adipure upper with Adidas Copa Mundial sole.

How much would you pay for the ‘perfect’ pair of cleats? $200

What advice would you give someone who is deciding what types of cleats to purchase?
Well, you have to have at last 2-3 pairs of cleats. One for hard ground, one for soft/wet surfaces and one for training. I like to keep my game cleats separate. A lot of games/trainings these days take place of artificial surfaces and on these surfaces I like to wear turf shoes. It does not feel natural to wear normal cleats on these surfaces sometimes. So, if a pair of turf shoes fits in your budget, I would recommend those too.

What tips do you have on ‘breaking’ cleats in?
I have always found the best way to break cleats in is in the shower or bath. Take a nice long shower/bath in hot water (as hot as you can handle it!) with your cleats on. The hot water helps to make the leather of your cleat more supple and conforms better to your foot. After you get out of he shower/bath, walk around the house in the cleats. This is the best way to break shoes in quickly.

Do you have any other tips on how to maintain cleats?
Clean your cleats after each practice/game. Cleats are expensive and they need care. A quick clean and a bit of leather food on the cleats goes a long way in not only extending the lifetime of your cleat but keeps the leather supple and prevents it from drying out.

Neil is currently assistant coach at UCSB, where he played for 4 years, captaining the team to the 2006 National Championship game. He had the honor of playing with his native New Zealand at international level, and marked Demarcus Beasley once in a game vs. USA.