Ladies and gentlemen, things are just about to start heating up in the boot world. Nike brought us a blast from the past with a revisit to the ’02 Mercurial Vapor, Gareth Bale has been showing off the next adidas boot that will capture the attention of the boot world, flashes of the Nike and adidas launches of the World Cup are being seen here and there, it is all starting to get interesting! Until then, our boot spotting is the best way to be up and about with the boot world. From new boots to boot switches to retro boots, check out the best the boot spotting world had to offer this week.

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) – adidas F50 adiZero TRX

Karim Benzema Real Madrid F50 adiZero TRX edited

It has been a long time between releases, but adidas lifted the lid on their new Solar Slime/Black/Vivid Black F50 adiZero colourway last week. Inspired by the Brazilian Samba theme that adidas have been flogging as of late, Karim Benzema was one of a small number of European strikers who brought the boots out this weekend. It seems between now and the World Cup, we will have a kaleidoscope of colour on the pitch with some of the upcoming colourways we have coming our way. Just look at the new Messi adiZero getting launched today for an example…

Jordi Alba (Barcelona) – adidas F50 adiZero TRX

Jordi Alba Barcelona adidas F50 adiZero edited

We always find it a little strange when a pro goes back in time with their boot selection, especially when they have been wearing the newest edition of their boot recently. Because new boots are released in an attempt to improve the old model right? Perhaps Jordi Alba has a connection with the White/Lime/Onix F50 adiZero TRX, as the defender wore the classy boots over the orange Samba Pack F50 adiZero he has been wearing over the past few weeks. To be fair, the White/Lime/Onix 2nd generation F50 adiZero was one awesome F50…

Antoni Sarcevic (Fleetwood Town) – Nike Hypervenom Phantom (Custom)

Antonu Sarcevic Fleetwood Town custom HV edited

The Nike Hypervenom Phantom released last year as a part of the Stealth pack was a blackout, without really being a real blackout boot at the same time, and that was because the boot was listed as ‘dark obisidian’ over pure black. Which was a touch of a disappointment to say the least. So Antoni Sarcevic has found a way around the issue, taking his Hypervenoms to a pro to get his boots properly blacked out. It is a clean customization by Antonu Sarcevic, but for those of you who want a properly blacked out Hypervenom, Nike may be answering your prayers soon!

Joe Allen (Liverpool) – adidas Predator adiPower

Joe Allen Liverpool adidas Predator adiPower edited

What about this for an unexpected boot switch! Joe Allen has been rocking the CTR360 Maestri III throughout the season for Liverpool, but the centre midfielder made a switch into the launch colourway of the adidas Predator adiPower that has definitely come from left field. We at the Instep always look back at the adiPower with a smile, and boot connoisseurs look at the adiPower as arguably the last boot that had all of the classic Predator characteristics in one boot. Big props to Joe Allen bringing back a classic boot!

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid) – adidas adiPure 11Pro

Xabi Alonso Real Madrid adiPure 11Pro edited

Adidas have enjoyed moderate degrees of success when it has come to their second generation adiPure 11Pro, with the majority of pros taking to the boot fairly well. But it seems adidas have found a new endorser for the adiPure 11Pro in the form of ex-Nitrocharge wearer Xabi Alonso. The midfielder has made the move into the new boots, electing for the Black/Green colourway over the bold Samba pack colourway. Xabi Alonso seems to be a fan of black boots, with the midfielder flirting with black Nitrocharge and Predator colourways in the past year or so.

Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough) – Puma evoSPEED 1 SL Ducati

Albert Adomah Middlesbrough evoSPEED 1 SL edited

You have got to love a limited edition boot, and while some boots advertise about speed, partnering the lightest production boot on the planet with Italian speedsters Ducati is a marriage in heaven. No one quite does a limited edition release like Puma, and the Ducati evoSPEED SL 1 is surely evidence of that. Albert Adomah was brave enough to wear the boot this weekend, and the boot coincidentally matches up with his Middlesbrough kit rather nicely.

Mario Durovski (Muangthong United) – adidas Predator LZ SL II

Mario Durovski Muangthing United Predator SL II edited

Is it just me or has there been a bit of an uprising in players rocking the adidas Predator LZ SL II? Granted, while it will never be as popular as the regular Predator, it seems a number of players are settling for the mix between the speed of the F50 and the famous aura created by the Predator name. Muangthong United’s Mario Durovski is the latest player seen in the boot, but while he scored directly from the corner, it was not enough to help Muangthong get over Melbourne Victory as they missed out on going through to the group stages of the Asian Champions League.

Rob Wielaert (Melbourne Heart) – Mizuno Morelia Neo (Custom)

Rob Wielart Melbourne Heart blackout Morelia Neo edited

If you had to knock up a list of classic football boots that have stood the test of time, there is no doubt the Mizuno Morelia will be in the top 5 of that list. While the Morelia Neo is a modern take on a famous boot, we love how the Neo still carries the traditional vibe that the Morelia name carries. But when it comes to class, nothing quite does it more than a blackout boot, which is why we are loving Rob Wielaert’s blacked out Morelia Neos. It looks like Wielaert’s boots are a custom job by a professional, and the end result is truly brilliant.

That is it for our boot spotting today, what was your favourite spot this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

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