Football games are down to an absolute minimum now, but if there are games still being played, it means we can still get a boot spotting out! The start of the U20 World Cup, the Confederations Cup and the odd charity game has thrown up some interesting boot spots. There were a few new football boots on show this week, along with one or two players chopping and changing into new boots and there are some spots that are a little bit different. Check out the boot spots that caught our eye this week!
Dani Alves (Brazil) – adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 (Custom)
He is one of the headline athletes of the range, but in a rather interesting move, Dani Alves is not wearing the exact boot that he is meant to show off. While the Nitrocharge 1.0 comes with a HybridTouch upper, Alves’ boots are clearly different. It appears Alves’ boots have been customised with what looks a SprintSkin upper, which is distinguishable by the smooth upper. Alves was wearing the synthetic F50 adiZero prior to the switch to the Nitrocharge, so perhaps Sprintskin was something that the Brazilian could not let go of…
Christian Maggio (Italy) – Lotto Solista
When you think about speed boots, you do not normally think beyond the three speed boots that are offered by Nike, adidas and Puma. However, if you want something that little bit more flashy, the Lotto Solista takes this concept on quite literally! The upper of the boot has a finish on it such that the boot appears to be grey, but the boots become reflective with the flash of a camera or the floodlights of a stadium. It is certainly a cool concept, and Maggio is one of very few players who are wearing the Lotto Solista.
Connor Chapman (Australia) – adidas Predator LZ II
Let’s face it, the launch colourway of the adidas Predator LZ II has definitely had it’s fair share of critics. A lot of people say it does not look like a Predator, which is why adidas are seeking redemption with the alternative Black/Running White/Ray Green Predator LZ II colourway that (in my opinion) much easier on the eyes. Australia’s Connor Chapman is the first player we have seen wearing the boots, but with the popularity of the launch colourway of the Predator LZ II, we think he is one of few players who will be spotted in the boots.
Julio Caesar (Brazil) – Nike CTR360 Maestri III
The end of the season always seems to be a popular time for players to test out new boots, and Julio Caesar has decided to make the switch to the summer inspired Current Blue/Volt/Black CTR360 Maestri III. The QPR goalkeeper has been wearing blackout boots for the whole of the 2012/13 season, which we believe to be a pair of Mizuno Morelias. The keeper has notched up to the more updated CTR360 Maestri III, but it is interesting to note that there really are very few keepers to be spotted in the Maestri.
Manuel Neuer (Neuer and Friends XI) – adidas Nitrocharge 1.0
He was seen testing out blackout versions of the boot a few months ago, now Manuel Neuer has made the move into the proper version of the adidas Nitrocharge 1.0. The German international shot stopper wore the boots in a charity game where his ‘Neuer and Friends XI’ took on the Dirk Nowitzki led ‘All Stars’. We will have another boot spot from the game later on in our boot spotting, but we anticipate the adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 to be a popular boot amongst goalkeepers next season.
Edson Lemaire (Tahiti) – adidas F50 adiZero RS7 II Pro
They are the team that everyone has a little place in their heart for, and little old Tahiti have been a shining light in a Confederations Cup that has been marred with protests. While there are one or two interesting boots being worn amongst the Tahitians, the most interesting of those is most probably Edson Lemaire’s F50 adiZero RS7, the adiZero designed for the rugby market. There is next to no difference between the RS7 II Pro and the normal adiZero, except the RS7 is only available in a SG stud configuration.
Dirk Nowitzki (Nowitzki All Stars) – Nike American Football cleats
NBA star Dirk Nowitzki joined Manuel Neuer in staging a charity football game for their various charities, and the 7 foot tall Mavericks giant got a part of the festivities himself. Considering our speciality is in soccer cleats, we are a bit unsure of what exactly Nowitzki is wearing. While we will need some help to ID his cleats, it is probably because Nowitzki cannot find soccer cleats that fit him!
Ian Wright (Arsenal Legends) – adidas Predator Mania
This is the one boot spot that made me very excited when I was trawling through the photos from this week’s football action! We do not normally see early versions of the Predator being worn on the pitch, but Arsenal Legend Ian Wright was very brave in bringing out the adidas Predator Mania that dates back to his playing days. They are definitely a collectable for any boot fan, so we are very jealous Wright still has his Predator Manias!
That is it for our boot spotting this week, what was your favourite spot this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
at 16:12
Dirk Nowitzki is wearing the rugby boots, nike air zoom mark mid ac rugby boots
at 16:13
not mid, low i mean
at 22:21
No true with regards to the F50 adiZero RS7 II Pro. They do come in hard ground versions too.