Every so often PUMA will release an eccentric boot design, it's something we've become used to and something we love. Alongside the standard colourways which roll out across a boot range, PUMA will release a special edition boot and the latest to add to the collection is this PowerCat 1.12 Gravity...
Previously from PUMA we've seen the PowerCat Tokyo, PowerCat Elektro, v1 Kanji and v1 Kehinde Wiley. The next boot to undergo the specialised treatment is the PowerCat 1.12, which has been given this Gravity graphical workover. And the reason for the Gravity...well PUMA don't really need one, they've just gone ahead and done it and it looks cool!
Of course, it hasn't escaped our attention that in one boot PUMA have managed to incorporate all the Barcelona and Spain colours, clearly for lead PowerCat 1.12 asset Cesc Fabregas. But alongside Fabregas, PUMA have bolstered their player roster in the last few seasons, and the PowerCat boot now boasts Marco Reus, Nigel de Jong, Emmanuel Frimpong, Giorgio Chiellini, Peter Crouch and Gianluigi Buffon to name but a few.
PUMA have utilized an effective colour-scheme to create one of the best looking PowerCat boots to date, with the unique graphic being mirrored in the opposite colour scheme for each boot. Previously there had never been a set colour-palette for the PowerCat, with combinations of bright and dark designs making up its back catalogue of colourways. However, for the 1.12 and with the signing of Cesc Fabregas we've noticed PUMA splashing a bit more blue and red onto the boot!
As a performance power boots, the PUMA PowerCat 1.12 features advanced PUMA technologies. The boot is a combination of engineering and comfort and with a significant design overhaul, looks and feels completely different to the previous incarnation. The versatility of the boot remains one of its strongest assets, hence the variation in playing positions for the boots' lead assets.
The stand-out feature of the new PowerCat 1.12 is the 3D DUO Power Shooting Technology, applied to the kicking area on the inside of the boot. Made from an innovative thermoplastic material with two different degrees of hardness, the boot has the advantage of being both highly responsive with extremely high rebound properties.
The newly created Puma 3D PST DUO technology enables improved grip on the ball through its exposed elements, and instead of absorbing the energy it increases the kicking power of the player. The kicking area of the PowerCat Gravity employs a soft synthetic, a material which lends itself better to the graphical application, and a microfiber material that helps to keep the weight of the boot to a minimum.
For support, stability and protection to the Achilles, the PUMA PowerCat 1.12. football boots have an asymmetrical external heel counter and a unique pointed stud configuration for traction. Whilst for comfort over 90 minutes, the new PUMA PowerLast with added volume in the forefoot and instep combines with the stable yet flexible TPU sole-plate.
There are few boots on the market that can rival the PowerCat for engineering. It's one of the most uniquely constructed boots available, as you can see by looking at the sole-plate and application of the Cat on both the outstep and instep. But more importantly, the PowerCat 1.12 offers a robustness that we're seeing less of from the likes of adidas and Nike.
The new PUMA Gravity football boots can be pre-ordered from now and will be available from August 1st. If you want to bag a pair of these Special Edition PowerCat 1.12's, they will retail for around £135.00 GBP / $180.00 USD / €155 EURO.
PUMA are constantly looking to create extreme and eccentric looking boots, and we'd love to see the general consensus from the SoccerBible community of whether the PowerCat 1.12 Gravity has the cool-factor?
Once again, Puma have delivered a fresh update to the PowerCat range. Let us know what you think of the new Puma PowerCat 1.12 Gravity football boots? Share your thoughts on PUMA's latest colourway online, on Twitter and on Facebook.