adidas ACE 17 Purecontrol and Primeknit

UPDATE II: The Ace has given way to the revamped Predator. Check out the updated ‘differences’ piece on the adidas Predator 18.

UPDATE: This page has been updated to reflect the changes in the adidas ACE 17.

The world is only just coming to grips with the newest introduction from adidas, but we are here to take a spin in each of the biggest boots in the silo and let you know what each of them has going on. Taking a trip within the laceless craziness of the PURECONTROL all the way to the lowest of the low, The Instep has all of the high points that you will need to know about the boots that could make or break 2017 for the Three Stripes. Which boot is right for you?

ACE 17+ PURECONTROL

adidas ACE 17+ Purecontrol cleats

The headline grabber of the bunch, there’s almost too much to tell about this incredible creation.  No laces, but there’s so much more to the boot than its lack of strings to tighten.  If you snag the right fit, the real learning curve here is simply putting the boots on.  It took us most of 2016 to become “accomplished” at it, but we thank the soccer boot gods that adidas put a shoehorn in with these boots.

A slightly updated upper from the 16+ Purecontrol means that laceless wonder from adidas is new and slightly improved. Add in the Boost technology that adidas added to the soleplate, and we’re reaping the benefits of the revolution as it rolls on.

adidas ACE 17 Purecontrol 360 view

Click for a 360 view

adidas ACE 17 Purecontrol Boost outsole

The upper isn’t as thin as an F50, the feel isn’t anything like the Nike collared efforts, and the lack of laces means that you need to be prepared for a snug fit out of the box.  It’s tough to step up to the $300 plate and justify anything, but there is something truly special about these.

ACE 17.1 PrimeKnit

adidas ACE 17 Primeknit

If laces are required for your boot wearing experience to be at its height, then this is the best option of the bunch.  The ACE+ PrimeKnit 15.1 was one of our favorite boots of last year, the PrimeKnit 16 was our second favorite adidas boot on their roster, and the 17 PrimeKnit looks set to carry that high standard.

adidas ACE Primeknit soleplate

A PrimeKnit upper with a better feel, a lacing system that allows for you to get one of the best fits on the market, and a new collar to only improve the entire set-up.  If there is any boot in the bunch that would be the first suggestion from us to any reader, it would be the 17 PrimeKnit…we’ll probably need a dozen pairs ourselves. There’s no Boost in the soleplate, but this one might hit the quality – price sweet spot that has fans coming back for more.

ACE 17.2 PrimeMesh

adidas ACE 17.2 Primemesh

One area where adidas is looking to make major leaps is in their lower tier boots. Where once the lower tier boot market was dominated by Nike, the new ACE 17.2 PrimeMesh shows a serious move by adidas to place more focus on their more affordable offerings. With a PrimeMesh collar that reminds us of what we saw on the adidas X 15 (albeit a bit higher cut), the 17.2 still gives a high level of comfort and touch without utilizing the synthetic on the standard ACE or the PrimeKnit on the two top ACE options. If you’re looking for a value option, but you still want to join the collared masses – this boot is for you.

A textured forefoot to give you better control on the ball sits on the front, and the area where the tongue would be looks set to provide a seamless fit.

ACE 17.3 PrimeMesh

adidas ACE Primemesh 17.3

The next tier down also gives players the ability to test out the collar! The 17.3 doesn’t have an upper that is quite as forgiving or that will provide as good a touch on the ball as the 17.2, but it does give players with a budget an option to see how this style of collared boot performs. The fit won’t be as seamless and the upper won’t be quite as plush, but this would be a great entry-level boot. Don’t expect many aspects of this one to feel premium, but big kudos for the German brand for taking more interest in their budget boots.

2017 is going to be a big year of adidas.  We’re sure Nike won’t let the German giants own the day from January all the way until December, but the newest bunch of ACE boots is a great place for adidas to start!  We can’t wait to see what else the revolution still has in store!   Viva la revolucion!

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,