It's been another frantic summer of Speed Boot releases, and with kick-off fast approaching rival boots are gearing up for the new season. The major brands have released their brand new speed boots to kick-start the 2011-12 season, but which is your favourite...
The Speed market is the most competitive out there and generates the hottest debates, rival boots seem to have devote followers who have always got an opinion to share on their favourite boots' latest offering. So here SoccerBible presents the latest speed boots to hit the market, they're all available to pre-order now although with varying dates of release, but we want to know which is your favourite and which boots you'll be wearing for the new season...
The Nike Mercurial football boots have been grabbing the speed headlines for the last decade, and these new Orange colourways are the latest to be released. Worn by such icons as Cristiano Ronaldo, the Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III football boots benefit from a teijin synthetic upper enhanced with Flywire technology, with a carbon fibre outsole and traction stud configuration.
The launch of the adizero stunned the speed market and the Mercurials dominance. Since their initial release, adidas have gone on to launch the adizero Prime football boots the lightest ever production boot. Able to boast the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa, Arjen Robben and Luis Suarez as wearers, there's no shortage of speed players in the adizero range thanks to the lightweight SprintFrame outsole and adiLite upper.
Not so long ago, Puma were able to boast their SL was the lightest ever production football boot, that was until the adizero Prime turned up. But Puma have made their v1.11 SL football boots synonymous with speed thanks to their association with the fastest man on the planet - Usain Bolt! Puma have used innovative technology, engineering and materials to create their Pebax outsole for lightweight speed.
Did we ever think we would be writing a speed article and including a Predator! Unbelievably, the Predator SL football boots are lighter than the Nike Mercurial Superfly's, and although they bear the Predator name there's not much resemblance to the original 1994 boot. Adidas have made this a pioneering boot by utilising their SprintFrame, and this is quite a sharp looking launch colourway.
It seems quite a task for any brand outside of the big three to take on the speed market, but Umbro have given it a good go with a boot that's reminiscent of a previous Vapor. The Umbro GT Pro football boots have a one-piece microfibre upper, with fit secured through their A Frame Cradle. And if you imagine it, the latest red/silver colour combination gives the appearance that speed has worn away the colour on the underside of the boots!
The Lotto Zhero Gravity football boots are possibly the most bespoke speed boot on the market, due to the simple fact they are laceless! It's an innovation that Lotto are sticking with, despite being the only brand, but from what we hear they record great sales and have great reviews for their Gravity range. The latest blue/black/silver colourway is probably the most eye-catching we've seen as Lotto proudly flaunt their innovation.
A relative newcomer to not just the speed market, but to the football boots market in general, we're expecting big things from Under Armour in the future. The Blur Pro football boots are a genuine contender in the speed category, and with the ambition of the American brand could be the dawning of a new era. They certainly look distinctive with their one-piece upper, and their wider stud placement provides increases stability to enhance movement.
Now you've seen the speed boots all primed for the start of the 2011/12 season, which one has caught your eye? Which boot is the fastest and will take pride of place in your boot bag this season? Share your thoughts with the SoccerBible community online, on Twitter and on Facebook.