Ever since the birth of the messiah-esque of soccer cleats, the Adidas F50 AdiZero, Nike has fallen from its pedestal of the world’s leading cleat company. However, it seems that, slowly but surely, Nike could be clawing their way back to the top…
It is obvious that since the introduction of the CTR360′s, soccer brands have been trying to find their own version to fight their way into the control market, such as the new Adipower being placed in this market from power, although the CTRs will continue to be the goliath, constantly flicking away any competition. The inclusion of Nike’s exclusive kanga-light upper, along with the specially designed dampening pods, really do benefit the control and passing of the ball.
In terms of the speed market, it is a well known fact that the Superfly needs improving, mainly due to its gimmick that is the SenseStud. Due to the fact that the professionals choose a custom soleplate rather than the SenseStud, it is rumoured that Nike might need to listen to it’s fans and decide not to include this in their next incarnation.
However, one positive piece of technology that has come from the Superfly and used in another cleat is the flywire in the new Tiempo IV. What can be better than a lightweight leather cleat? What we have noticed from the adiZeros is that most professionals have chosen the leather version, something that the new Tiempos have. They have not got the option of whether to purchase the class and protection of ‘lightweightness’ (if that is such a word!) and comfortability (that too!) of a leather cleat over a lighter, less protected synthetic cleat. As the Tiempo is leather, it does allow the boot the stretch to suit the player’s foot, which could not be achieved fully from the Superfly.
From looking at the specs of the next Total 90′s, they too could fight their way back to the top of the powerboot list, a title felt by many held by the Mizuno Wave Ignitus. Due to the fact that the lasers are available for purchase in both synthetic and leather (in different colours), they would always find fans from the colourways.
Although many cleat lovers may find it controversial, I find that the Elite line works really well. Nike are aware that many of their cleats sell due to their cult followings, however, the idea of a carbon fibre, ultra-light cleat will definitely benefit speed players such as myself, who crave the technology to improve playing style and technique while still being able to outrun the competition. Although the price is considerably higher than the normal cleats, this added to the ‘elitism’, makes you personally feel the better player over your counterpart, always striving for perfection and the winning mentality.
Personally, I feel that if Nike really look at that what they have done in terms of the CTR360s and Tiempo IV’s, not worrying about pointless gimmicks, they will retrieve their want-a-way stars such as Nani and Agüero, they will sooner or later become the dominant force in the cleat industry that they had been for so many years. Although Adidas is the king of the cleat world, Nike have both the capability and technology to knock them off their perch and retain their crown, but I feel it can realistically only be achieved if they REALLY listen to the professional feedback and continue to develop quality style cleats rather than gimmicks.
Nike, we have confidence in you, now fight for your rightful place!
Adidas and Mizuno spend no where near what Nike is spending with marketing their products. Adidas and Mizuno are quality boots for reasonable price whereas nike for the same quality is double the price, they just rely on pumping the marketing to get their sales. If adidas and especially mizuno spent the same amount on marketing as nike, nike would probably be dead by now.
Excellent piece, i have been playing football for 8 years, but only recently have i been paying any attention to what kind of cleats i wear. Browsing through sites like yours, i have been converted into a Nike fan, and gave away my Adizeros (which i didn’t really like anyway) to make way for a brilliant pair of T90 Elites. Long live Nike.
just to pricey only problem. there is boot just as good on the market(mizuno and adidas. others i have never really looked in to.
As an owner of the adizeros and superfly 3′s, I believe the two companies strive for different areas of the market. Even though they are both in the speed department, Adidas made a boot strictly for the lightweight features and paper thin touch. With Nike on the otherhand, I feel that the Sense Studs help very much with gripping the turf and helping a player accelerate and decelerate quicker. Nike also didn’t create the superfly to be in the 5-6 ounce range because having a thicker upper helps with durability and protection. They wanted to create a wholesome boot that has a thin but not too thin upper that will react very well to quick touches, turns, and the like. Because of this I feel that the superfly is an overall better boot, beating out the adizero in terms of durability and little features.
look i’ve said this many times in this site….i used to be an extreme nike fan not even droppin by for a pair of adidas though even if it had good feedback.but since the WC i really realized that it was only the nike marketing that made be a stupid nikehead…..u know nike puts so much effort in their marketing that it kinda makes u blind and gets u thinkin u’re with the best cleat on….but actually it’s not even close to that…..look adidas is much better in terms of pricing,usable techs and features and in my opinion quality!!!! just look at the superflies….and specially the elites…..the sense stud just suckssss no need to mention why cuz u can see the pros……the carbon fibre soleplate is just another damn marketing eye catcher that cracks Bcuz of the stiffness……and the flywire….mehhhhhhhh not doin any favour either……and mark my words adidas is gonna dominate the market for many yrs specially with the new predator redesign and the “adicontrol”-as they say- on its way upfrontin the ctrs……but anyway that’s my opinion which might not be any other person’s…….with all respect to the readers!!!!!
new vapors should be better from way the picks show~
vapors4life
Biased!