We have seen some excellent releases from Umbro in recent times, and this colorway release in the Geometra Pro range continues to increase their stock. This is officially the White/Red/Kingfisher colorway, as debuted over the past few weekends in the EPL – you might have spotted players such as Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson wearing them.

Umbro offered us a unique opportunity to own a pair of the new colorway, before they actually hit the US market, which we gratefully accepted! I recently had the opportunity to test the Geometra Pro and was extremely impressed with what they have to offer, so needless to say I expect nothing less of this version.

What really differentiates these boots from the rest of the market is the strategically positioned ECZ, or Energy Control Zone. This is the padded region that sits along the instep (as pictured below) and it makes for a fantastic addition, particularly when you go to take long passes out of the air. In fact, it is the best piece of technology I have seen added along that region of any boot on the market! The concept of padding the region makes complete sense, and Umbro employ a Teijin medial pad with memory foam to do so.

Another aspect of the boot that helps in terms of control is the silicon-bonded grip zone that sits just above your big toe. It sort of feels like a suede and it adds some extra grip and better touch, helping to improve control. It is especially effective when you are playing in wet conditions, as the region almost feels a little rougher.

This latest colorway is very sharp and they offer a complimentary look to most team kits (Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd and Barcelona all included), although there is the obvious concern of keeping the white K-leather upper clean! Since I had such a positive experience while reviewing the Geometra Pro first time around, I am going to take advantage of this pair and will update with a second report in the next few weeks. They are not yet available to purchase, but for those interested in the range, check out the latest Black/White/Sharp Green/True Red release.

Once they hit the market, they will retail for $170. Shout to Umbro for sending the boots over,  make sure to follow them on Facebook for all the latest news on their end!

The second colorway in the Umbro GT2 Pro has been released and this one continues Umbro’s attempts to capture the attention of the market with outlandish designs! The official colorway is a Black/White/Acid Green, with the colors blending together in a very unusual fashion throughout. The black area also looks like it has some green running through it to double up the virtuoso effect! I am interested to see exactly how these look in person.

Having seen plenty of success with the initial GT Pro release, the upgraded version comes in at a lighter weight thanks in part to a Japanese micro-fiber upper. Picking up on a Nike strategy, Umbro has also trimmed the FG version even further by including hollowed out blades. In fact, at 8.8oz this is the lightest boot Umbro has ever released! The subtle asymmetric, partially concealed lacing provides a larger strike zone. There has been plenty of hype behind this release, with plenty of initial reports comparing them to some of the best speed boots on the market – only time (and a review) will tell!

These boots have just hit soccer.com with a retail price of $150, which is exactly what we had expected when we heard about the boots release several weeks ago.

Introducing what could be one of the hit boots of 2012, the Umbro Speciali 3. Over the past few months we have seen a rapid change in the design aspect of Umbro releases, and this latest edition of the Speciali is no different. The boot has undergone some slight modifications in terms of technology and performance,  but it is a new modern design and updated features that makes me think they will gain solid traction with US players.

Personally, I like the clean look of the Pearlized White/Black/Nectarine colorway, with the stitching in particular adding a touch of class. The image below show how it has been strategically positioned, intended to allow the boot to move pretty uniformly with your general movements.

In terms of performance, the upper consists of a K-leather strike zone for supreme feel and touch on the ball, with microfiber through the heel to reduce weight and improved durability. A soft micro-fiber collar lines the ankle line for improved comfort – something I will never complain about. The lacing system has been switched up for the first time on a Speciali release, with an asymmetrical lacing design offering a larger strike zone. Umbro are confident in the performance of their soleplate, sticking with the same contoured last used in the original Speciali, known for its professional, snug fit. Finally, no official word on weight yet, but I expect they will be around the 9-9.4oz mark.

It amazes me how quickly things can change when companies take on a market! About this time last year, I commented on how surprised I was with the lack of effort from Umbro to give their releases any attention in the US – now they can’t seem to get enough. This release follows the recent GT Pro II release, and both offer a great look and solid option for players who want quality.

John Terry and Darren Bent are set to sport the new release in their FA Cup games this weekend – so keep an eye out for them. The important question is how will Umbro price this release against the previous Speciali R? They are set for release in the US at a retail of $130 by end of January and are on soccer.com.

Stay tuned for more details…..(Images via Umbro USA Facebook Page)

Umbro has taken a trip down memory lane and pulled out an absolute classic with the limited edition re-release of the Speciali 92. This signifies the 20th anniversary of the Speciali, which was first released in 1992, and there are only 1,992 pairs up for grabs. In order to make them more appealing to fans, the boot is built with all the modern pieces and latest technology you expect from a current day Umbro boot.

The boot features a full grain, soft leather upper, which the Speciali is known for. Conical studs and a flex groove plate are retained from the original boots soleplate, with the addition of blades at the heel adding some modern traction.

Overall, this a pretty classic release that is going to suit the needs of the no-nonsense player. Obviously, they don’t have the flash or high visibility we are pretty familiar to seeing in current day soccer. But that is what sets these apart from the rest. The tongue also adds a classy touch, although I do have some concerns on whether it sits in place or not! I should have a pair in the next few weeks for review, so stay tuned. For those looking to pick up a pair, they are currently only available at ProDirectSoccer.

Adding to the appeal of the release, Umbro has other pieces available to complete a five piece collection. There is a pair of lifestyle footwear sneakers, called the Milton, a soft leather weekend bag and a leather ball, with the latter both released in limited numbers of 92. The top piece within the range is Umbro’s classic silhouette, the Anthem Jacket that has been crafted from soft leather. The lining also features a digital print, which details key Speciali moments.

One of the biggest challenges any company faces is finding a persuasive way to categorize a specific boot to a mass audience – but it seems like Umbro has got it right with this release! The Umbro Geometra Pro is a boot designed to tackle the Control/Playmaker category, with plenty of technology added to a fully functional K-leather upper. This is the first Umbro release since Nike took over the company, and you can tell that there a new thought process involved in this release. It took a while, but I finally received a pair for testing, in the Silver/Black/Yellow colorway, and have spent the past few weeks putting them through their paces!

Breaking In
One thing that Umbro has done well is create a very easy to wear boot! Out of the box, they offer a comfortable fit right through the upper, and the soleplate offers a flexible feel immediately after you put them on. I spent one training session loosening up the stitching before taking them into a game. I was a little concerned initially that they would be too loose and they do fit slightly longer than true to size. But with soccer socks on and the fact that the upper is designed to sit close to the top of your foot, they almost mold down onto your feet. The leather is super soft and the strategically positioned stitching allows it to move and mimic your foot shape very quickly – always a bonus!

Improving Ball Control
The one area of this boot I love most is the ECZ, or Energy Control Zone. This is the padded region that sits along the instep and it makes for a fantastic addition, particularly when you go to take long passes out of the air. In fact, it is the best piece of technology I have seen added along that region of any boot on the market! The concept of padding the region makes complete sense, and Umbro employ a Teijin medial pad with memory foam to do so.

Right along the front of the boot there is a silicon-bonded grip zone that almost feels like a soft suede. It sits on top of the K-Leather and right along the strike zone, as seen in the image below. I don’t see its addition improving power, but it does add some extra grip and better touch, helping to improve control. It is especially effective when you are playing in wet conditions, as the region almost feels a little rougher. Another good addition that improves the appeal of the boot.

Performance
Both the addition of an ECZ and a silicon-bonded grip zone compliment what these boots are – a control boot. But that is not all they have and there are other factors that make the package more impressive. The strategically positioned stitching featured along the K-Leather upper improves how the boot syncs up with your feet. Right through wear, they seem to mimic your movements and this immediately improves performance. Another area where they excel is in traction. I found that through wear they offer a solid level of grip no matter what the surface! The shape and design of the blades are very effective and having worn them on turf and natural grass, I give them the thumbs up. Also, sitting right under the joint of your big toe is a circular bladed region. As you swivel and turn, it gives you great stability and is very useful when you are looking to accelerate quickly in another direction.

Design
I like the design’s Umbro have created with this release, although it doesn’t match the best looks seen on the market. You get plenty of colorway options, some of which look better than others. I wasn’t overly excited by the Silver/Black/Yellow colorway I tested, but they offer a unique look and an interesting combo of colors. There is plenty of detailing through the boot and the signature “Umbro” sits very impressively along the heel. My preferred release in the range comes in a pretty simple yet sleek White/Black/High Risk Red colorway.

How do they fit?
Starting out, I was a little concerned that they were going to be a half size too big, but thankfully that did not turn out to be the case. You get a pretty wide fit toward the front of the boot with the shape offering a more rounded look. Compared to other boots, I found there was some extra space on the outside of the boot, around your little toe. Overall, players with a slim fit will probably need to consider ordering down a half size, especially if you find that you have a little extra space in your current boot. I am normally a straight up size 9 – I would categorize these as a 9.25!

Negatives
There are a few areas where Umbro can make improvements to this boot. Size is the first area – I don’t quite think the sizing is right, especially up around the toe region. They seem to be a little “rounded” and all though this might suit some players, I can see it being a negative for most. Something else that concerns me is durability. There are plenty of seams through the upper and I did notice that the upper-to-soleplate joining was loosening up in several areas. It is something to watch! Another suggestion is in the weight of the boot. Coming in at 10.2oz, they suit the control mode and are not at all a heavy boot. In fact, 3 years ago they would have been a light boot! But, companies seem to be striving to break the 10oz mark and doing so would only increase the appeal of the boot.

Summary
It is my opinion that this release could be the boot to change the direction of Umbro soccer footwear – in a very positive way! The design matched with some excellent technology has elevated what I expect from the brand. The only issue is getting players to try these boots, but players that do will not be disappointing and will probably take a liking to Umbro. The most impressive aspect for me was the addition of the control region along the instep as it really helps to cushion balls that you take out of the air. They seem to match the expectations of both playmakers and defensive midfielders who strive to take control of center midfield. You get great control and touch on the ball thanks to the ECZ and the grip zone, while the traction offered matches the best boots on the market! Overall, I would have to rate this as one of the best releases we have seen from Umbro in a while!

(boots supplied for review by Umbro USA)

It has been a while since we last saw a release in the Umbro Stealth 2 Pro series, but finally there is a new colorway – this one coming in a White/Black/High Risk Red. Umbro seem to have moved to a more conservative look with this release, choosing a combo of classic colors rather than splashing wild colors onto the high performing boot. Keeping things simple sometimes works best, and I feel like these will appeal to a specific audience.

I was getting slightly concerned with the range in recent times, as it seemed like Umbro had pulled them off the market at one point. Since release, finding a pair for review has proved very difficult but I am glad to see this new colorway is readily available. Again, we have seen a minimal advertising campaign, but having been exposed to the excruciating “fox or chicken” campaign, it actually feels like a positive move! In all honestly, I like the release a lot and am currently seeking a pair for testing.

In terms of upgrade, the biggest one you will find on this release  lies in the upper of the boot, with Umbro choosing to include a K-leather this time around. In my opinion, this is a great addition to a boot that tested impressively well first time around. The leather has been formed/riveted to improve touch and enhance power on contact.

This current colorway retails for $140, and I hope to have a review in the coming weeks.

Umbro has released their latest boot to the market and the added technology on this one seems like it has been influenced by new designers! The Umbro Geometra Pro is a boot built for players who like to get on the ball and distribute clinical passes. Overall, I like what these are about and I think it is a positive step forward for Umbro. Plus, this release came with no cheesy advertising campaign to get it going (was I the only one that found the whole “Fox or Chicken” to be bizarre?)

So, what has this boot got? To start, Umbro stick with a soft Kangaroo Leather upper, which is also a good start. On the instep, along the inner arch of the boot, a special memory foam pad is added for improved ball control, while a silicon-bonded grip zone lines the toe region to help with first touch. I like the concept of memory foam pad, although it does seem to look a little chunky. Right around the front of the boot, the grip zone looks fantastic and I have a feeling it will make dribbling with the ball feel great.

One of the Geometra’s most innovative aspects is the stud configuration, which was inspired by the shoes worn by squash players. Featuring a pivot zone pressure point, the design allows players to turn quicker, giving you more time to turn away from trouble or find that perfect pass.

Umbro have gone with three different colorways to kick off the range. The most straightforward, and my preferred choice, is the above pictured White/Black/High Risk Red colorway. They seem to have a calming effect and an overall classy look. If you are looking for something different, the Silver/Black/Yellow combines some unique colors. Finally, if you need something that offers a more subtle look, there is a Black/White/Vivid Blue/Yellow.

You can definitely tell that Nike are having an effect on the normally minimal Umbro release. The added technology almost reminds me of something you would see on the CTR360 Maestri. Either way, I am excited to get a pair for testing. Umbro are pretty synonymous with creating consistent performing soccer cleats – I am hoping these fall right along that line. They weigh in at 10.2oz and are listed at around $180.

Just arrived in the door for review comes this pretty tasty new release, the Umbro Speciali R Pro. These were released right around January of this year, with the likes of Michael Owen and Darren Bent sporting them in the EPL since. Umbro don’t tend to advertise much here in the US, so you might not have heard much about them yet – but I can assure you that they are a quality boot designed to deliver at the highest level on hard ground surfaces (they are a HG boot).

The guys at WeGotSoccer.com sent them over for review. But, I have since found that they are tough to find anywhere, with soccer.com the only place I could find a good deal for them. They currently have a White/Lime Green colorway for $93.

You might have spotted that the second edition of the Umbro Stealth Pro (Stealth II) was released a few months back, well finally they are available here in the US. The original Stealth series was released with the pretty unusual “Are you Fox or Chicken” campaign – I am glad to say at this point we have not been put through the same type of advertising campaign! Instead the boot was released in a more simplistic fashion, with some fantastic upgrades!

The biggest upgrade lies in the upper if the boot, with Umbro choosing to include a K-leather this time around. In my opinion, this is a great addition to a boot that tested impressively well first time around. The leather has been formed/riveted to improve touch and enhance power on contact. I also like the design and look of the boot. The blue/gold combo on a white base makes them look very classy.

Stay tuned as we should have a full review available of the Stealth II Pro in the next few weeks – I am very much looking forward to testing them out! Also worth noting, there are still sizes of the original Stealth Pro available for an absolute bargain $40!

Spotted this over on the Umbro Facebook page today, set for release in February is a new Lime Green edition of the Umbro GT Pro. Worn by players such as England and Sunderland striker Darren Bent, the Umbro GT is designed for the fast, quick-thinking soccer player who likes to have the ball at his feet. The Lime Green colorway is pretty bold, but there is something about it that makes the Teijin Japanese Micro Fiber upper look pretty appealing!

The GT Pro is the lightest in the Umbro line and having tested them I can say that they are a very competitive boot in the category of speed. Personally, I really liked the performance I got from the boot as they really suited my game. They break in really easily and are extremely effective on the field. In terms of player position, they suit both winger and forwards who rely on speed and acceleration.

Expect to see these released in the US around March 2011.