After unveiling the new Umbro Speciali III Pro football boots, the first official boot release of 2012, we've got the supporting Black/White/Blue colourway to give you an exclusive close-up look at. So how have Umbro rolled 20 years of performance into a boot designed to perform for the modern game...
Ready to hit pitches around the globe soon, the Umbro Speciali III Pro is set to be worn by Umbro professionals including John Terry, Andy Carroll, Darren Bent, Michael Owen and Pepe. The popular heritage football boots have a loyal fan base stretching back over 20 years. The latest update has an exciting year ahead and is sure to be met with a strong response!
Armed with an all new design, the Umbro Speciali III takes over from the popular Speciali R as Umbro's headline heritage boot. Built for today’s player after the classic look, the latest Speciali updates combines tradition and innovation. Launched in a sharp new Black/White/Blue colourway, the new Speciali III is a fresh take on one of the games most iconic football boots.
In an effort to reduce weight and maintain quality, the Umbro Speciali III utilises a combination of full-grain leather and microfibre upper materials. The forefoot and instep comprise of full-grain leather, ensuring the Speciali's famed quality and comfort, while the rest of the boot is made from a microfibre to help shave some grams off the weight.
The Umbro Speciali 3 Pro football boots benefit from unique stitching patterns serving the boot in a multitude of ways. To maintain and shape the leather across the toe-area, to retain the 'A' frames which provide good fit across the midfoot, and to create the new Control Zone on the inside foot, designed to absorb excess energy quicker for better ball control.
The new lightweight TPU outsole offers excellent forefoot flex, through the flex-zone across the toes for great toe-off and acceleration. Whilst Umbro have been able to engineer the outsole almost as a two-piece, thanks to a reinforced bar running the length of the midfoot to the heel. The heel ensures stability during fast movements, whilst a new injection insole offers further mid-sole and heel support.
Umbro have redesigned the Speciali III sole-plate, so it now features what is widely being acknowledged as an effective stud configuration. With four newly introduced blades under the heel in place of conical studs, but retain the conical studs under the fore of the boot.
It's now no secret Umbro are a part of the Nike family, and with the introduction of outsole innovation and various upper materials, we wonder if an influence from the Swoosh is beginning to show. Whilst some have also likened this new Speciali 3 soccer shoe as having similarities to the first generation CTR360 Maestri, but remembering how successful that boot was, it's not a bad association!
You will be able to get your hands on a pair of the new Black/White/Blue Umbro Speciali III Pro football boots from 20th January and they are available to pre-oder now. Also released in a White/Black/Nectarine colourway, expect to see Umbro's new Speciali retail worldwide for around £80 GBP / $130 USD / €95 EURO.
After giving you an exclusive hands-on look at the new Umbro Speciali III football boots, we'd love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a comment and let us know what you think. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.