Soccer Cleats 101 » Puma King XL

Puma King XL Unity

bryan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:53:18 +0000

Last week it was new releases in the V1.10 and the PowerCat ranges. This week, it is a new version of their coveted Puma King XL Unity that has been attracting attention around the globe. This is primarily because of their design and roll in sending a unique message of ‘Unity’ to soccer fans around the world before the ‘Big Show’ in South Africa this summer! The colors used by Puma in both releases are very distinct and are designed to represent the diversity and culture of Africa. I am not sure that there are many other cleats out right now that are so vividly colorful as these pairs!

When you buy a pair of Puma King XL Unity boots you are contributing to helping Puma distribute African made soccer balls to regions throughout the continent. Puma have a huge share in the African soccer market, and are sure to be one of the more prominent companies featured at the World Cup. This, in a sense, is there way of giving back by helping to invest in African jobs, while also offering free soccer balls to the young aspiring soccer players. Every little bit counts and I think this is a great idea.

Late last year, I reviewed the Puma King XL Italia and even though I am behind this project, I am not a huge fan of the cleat itself. For me it is too bulky, takes time to break in and to be honest is not what I look for in a cleat. With that being said, there will be many of you that are Puma King XL fans, and I am interested to hear your take on these new designs.

You can order a pair of Puma King XL Unity right now!

Recommeded Soccer Cleats For Defenders

bryan — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:34:04 +0000

Defenders hold huge responsibilities as part of a soccer team. It is pretty easy for a striker to dose off for 30 seconds and miss a chance or two. But for a defender, one slip can mean conceding a goal and losing the game. With that in mind, we have put together a list of cleats that we recommend for defenders. In putting this list together, we took the following into consideration:

Comfort – Defenders need to have total confidence in the cleat they are wearing.
Responsiveness – Defenders have to be focused 100% of the time.
Support and Durability – Defenders must be ready to get stuck in on tackles.

Nike Total90 Laser III – Read review
One of the key reasons that the Nike Laser III is on the list is how it improves shot power and accuracy. As a defender, there are many times in a game when playing a long ball to the front man is necessary. When this happens, you want to be able play it right where the forward needs it, ensuring you relieve pressure on your defense. The Laser III is designed with 5 pods that lie along the strike zone to increase power. On the side, there are ‘fins’ that are designed to improve touch and control, also very important features. To summarize, these babies tick just about all the boxes needed for a defender!
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Under Armour Dominate – Read review
The UA Dominate offer more protection than any other cleat on this list. This is due to the MPZ (Modular Protection Zone) that is designed to protect the metatarsal bone of the foot. Over the past few seasons, there have been some very famous metatarsal breaks. Back before the start of the 2006 World Cup, David Beckham famously came down with a break that left him unfit going into the tournament. I actually found the UA Dominate to be one of the more comfortable cleats available on the market. A lot of people were concerned with how UA were going to fair in the soccer cleat market, and apart from their color choices, I think they have become a player in the market. If you find yourself sliding in on tackles all over the pitch, these might be the right choice for you!
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Adidas Predator X – Read review
The Predator X is a super comfortable cleat that offers another great options for players who want to play accurate long balls. The strike zone of the Predator X has an area of raised silicon that is designed to improve shot power. Without being a bulky cleat, it also offers good protection and is definitely suitable for players who like to tackle hard, and I give them full marks for comfort. Adidas have also added a unique heal protector, that adds an extra piece of safety when players tackle you from behind. Any defender wearing these is sure to have confidence in their play!
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Puma King XL – Read review
Enduring the test of time (over 40 years now), the Puma King range continues to satisfy all players of all positions on the pitch. But, in my opinion, it has a lot more to offer defenders than any other position. First off, these are one of the most comfortable cleats on the market and break in very easily. They also have more of a rounder toe, and I have always thought this benefits defenders. You will see a lot of defensive players, including defensive mids, wearing these cleats at the top level. After wearing these for several weeks, I can tell you that they offer great support in the most challenging of games!
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Puma King XL 40th Anniversary Edition

bryan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:49:32 +0000

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Puma King XL

The introduction of the original Puma King cleat came in 1968, 40 years ago, and today it is still one of the most popular cleats around, standing the test of time. The cleat was introduced in 1968 in honor of the great Eusebio, the legendary Portuguese international (he was born in Mozambique) who at the 1966 World Cup scored 9 goals. Eusebio was part of the development team that created the Puma King cleat.

Over the years, the King became synonymous with soccer players around the world and was worn by legends including Brazil’s Pele, Argentina’s Maradona and Dutch maestro Johan Cruyff.

This year’s special limited edition 40th year anniversary edition comes in a red color. The newest addition to Puma’s range retains its classic lines and traditional styling, but it has updated materials, enhanced features and some new design details. Super-soft, ultra-thin full-grain leather is complemented by a high-density silicon heel counter and conical firm ground stud construction for optimal stability and maneuverability.

Reviews about the cleats have been very positive. Great feel and touch are the main reactions of players wearing the cleats. Puma are renowned for the comfort of their cleats, and from wearing the v-Konstruct II personally I would agree with the comfort level of Puma Cleats. Also, by purchasing at the right place, you are also given a really nice shoe bag that contains a shoe brush and polish. Worth watching out for! My favorite feature of the cleat is the tongue, where the cleats 40 years, 1969 to 2008, is stitched on.