After months of pre-release hype and expectation, the PUMA King SL boots have landed. They haven't been one of football's best kept secrets. Footballers have been desperate to wear them, while we've been desperate to show them! Described by Thierry Henry as the best boots he's ever worn, the new King Finale SL looks impressive. Finally the King SL has returned, and it's better than ever.
Twenty years after the first King SL, the remastered modern classic takes the boot to new levels. After months of work, PUMA have shaped the new King Finale SL football boots for today's game. Lightweight leather football boots remain the most sought after in the market. The PUMA King SL now has its sights set on dethroning some of the games most popular boots. When it comes to lightweight boots, it's all in the details!
So just how super-light is the new PUMA King SL? The boots weigh an impressive 225g (7.9oz), making them considerably lighter than the pricey Nike Tiempo IV Elite. When in hand, the boots feel considerably lighter than the scales may reflect. So don't sweat that they fail to break the sub 200g mark – a league currently occupied by the Mizuno Morelia Neo, leather adizero miCoach and adiPure 11Pro SL (only part leather!)
As the super-light adaptation of PUMA's popular King Finale, the supercharged SL's have some fundamental differences that are sure to go down well! The upper material is a thin premium K-Leather which is very lightweight and shapes perfectly to the foot for the same glove-like fit and ball feel you'd expect from any PUMA King.
Another significant change is the alteration to the heel counter, with all excessive materials being stripped back in another move to reduce weight. The TPU injected outsole does however remain. With this being one of the most popular features of the standard King Finale, PUMA's decision not to opt for a redesigned outsole isn't that surprising.
Other noticeable differences are the redesigned tongue and form-stripe. The iconic fold over tongue has been left on the cutting room floor. In it's place is a sleek new perforated design featuring the PUMA King branding. The new form-stripe is now an integrated feature of the light K-Leather upper instead of being another overlay of stitched material.
In terms of player support, Thierry Henry has already given the PUMA King SL football boots their place in FA Cup and Arsenal history. The on-loan Arsenal striker will continue to wear the super-light King's for the foreseeable future, while fellow Gunner Mikel Arteta will also front the range. For other PUMA players and non-contracted players, the boots will certainly be an attractive option!
The PUMA King Finale SL football boots are available to order from today at selected retailers. When it comes to higher level premium boots, the price can always be a deal breaker, but with a reasonable price tag set at £160.00 GBP / $200.00 USD / €190.00 EURO they will certainly tempt a few people!
They've been a long time coming, but after giving you an exclusive look at the new PUMA King Finale SL football boots, what are your initial thoughts? Can the King SL compete with the Morelia Neo, adizero and adiPure 11Pro SL for the lightweight leather crown? Share your thoughts and join the conversation online on Twitter and on Facebook.