It may be the end of summer across Europe, but it's not in PUMA world as they launch these very bright Blue/Dandelion/White King Finale SL football boots. Possibly the most colourful PUMA King ever released; what do we think of this bold colour shift?
PUMA's heritage boot is already regarded as one of the best leather boots in the game, and for players like Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry the bar was raised with the launch of the super-light editions. Perhaps the King has struggled to make the headlines as the marketplace becomes more eccentric, but the Blue/Dandelion/White versions will certainly get the boots noticed!
Blending classic style and modern colours, the new PUMA King Finale SL football boots are a contrasting follow up to the more sober black and white colours we've seen in recent times, such as the White/Red/Limoges Euro 2012 edition. We can see these boots being a big hit, but it will be interesting to see as they go head-to-head with the new Blue/White Tiempo.
The concept of the super-light version isn't a new one, as PUMA have relaunched the boots twenty years after the first King SL. The remastered modern classic has been shaped for today's game, as lightweight leather football boots remain the most sought after in the market and when it comes to lightweight boots, it's all in the details!
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. The boots weigh an impressive 218g (7.7oz), but when in hand, the boots feel considerably lighter than the scales may reflect.
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. The iconic fold over tongue has been left on the cutting room floor. The form-stripe is now an integrated feature of the light K-Leather upper instead of being another overlay of stitched material.
The new Blue/Dandelion/White PUMA King Finale SL football boots are available to pre-order now for dispatch on October 1st. When it comes to higher level premium boots the price is reflective of quality, and the King SL comes in at £160.00 GBP / $200.00 USD / €190.00 EURO, so we expect to see a few pairs on pitches around the globe soon.
A new and very bold look for the PUMA King, is it one the fans will embrace or do modern King fans remain traditionalists when it comes to colours? Let us know what you think of the Blue/Dandelion/White PUMA King SL football boots and share your thoughts online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
