Know your gear

Boots to float in

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" is a well-known sports quotation attributed to the legendary boxer and former heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali. During a previous dispensation, the heavy sport shoes and boots made even the most athletic sportsman look like an overweight bull moving through a swamp, rather than a butterfly floating past a bewildered opponent.

Peter Whipp, local distributor of Mitre and a former Springbok-centre who featured in 8 tests between 1974 and 1980, remembers the rugby boots during his playing career: "In those days they were heavier as they used a lot more leather. The sole units were also not as sophisticated as they are now," he says.

"The synthetic uppers were not of the quality we have currently and stretching became a problem after 4 or 5 matches. Anatomically, the boots were not as well developed as they are presently.

"Although I did not play soccer, the soccer boots evolved in a similar fashion to those used in rugby."

In the early days, football boots weighed approximately 500g when dry, and twice as much when wet. When manufacturers became aware that the boot was only in contact with the ball for about 10% of the game, they developed less heavy boots. Today’s team boots weigh less than 250g and have very few features that resemble the staid black numbers of a few years ago.

Initially, it was wrongly assumed that overloading of the weight-bearing foot was the primary cause of most injuries. Brett Bellinger of Puma South Africa alludes to this when he says that nowadays the design elements of a boot play an important role in the prevention of injury.

Typically, but not in all cases, boots that provide more protection are slightly heavier and more supportive. Performance boots are lighter and less supportive.

Factors such as the actual last on which the boot is made, the upper, the lacing system, stud configuration, and outsole material, all affect performance and protection of the foot, knee and ligaments. Different ratios and combinations of these will determine the main overriding benefit of the boot.

Preventing injuries

The danger of incorrect stud configurations, unsuitable for a specific playing field, has been the subject of many sport injury studies.

Firm ground boots in soft muddy conditions would lead to insufficient traction. Conversely, soft ground boots on a hard surface would also lead to traction problems as the boots would not be able to gain a firm footing on the hard surface. Aluminium studs on hard grounds exert pressure, rubber studs on soft grounds provide no grip.

But, while it is important to buy a boot that is specifically designed and custom-made for a very peculiar terrain, Whipp points out that not everybody can afford more than one pair of boots, though.

The ideal multi-task boot is probably a well-designed blade, which can be used on all surfaces.

Mitre has used the speed stud system very effectively in soccer and rugby, which not only improves drive off the ground, but also spreads the pressure over a wider area, both in screw-in and multi-stud units, says Whipp.

The Mitre speed stud system is well established, with proven advantages over regular conical stud configurations, providing up to 40% improved drive and acceleration, as well as greater comfort and flexibility both on screw in and multi-stud units, says Whipp.

In rugby, a robust sport where sharp changes in direction are an integral part of the game, stud design is essential in preventing injuries, believes Shaun Hansen of adidas SA. He says it is imperative that forwards have a supportive base with stud configurations that allow for maximum traction and stability – scrums that collapse can result in major neck injuries.

"It is also important that the design elements enhance support in both the lateral and medial aspects of the shoe to prevent injury to the ankle region," he says.

Boot design for safety

Adidas has not concentrated solely on the design of the boot in preventing injuries. One of the unique innovations is the use of Traxion — an outsole lug providing maximum grip in all directions, on any surface, without excessive pressure points on the foot. The tapered shape provides excellent ground penetration, without the typical "stud pressure" that football boots place on the foot. The wide, narrow profile of Traxion lugs grips without slippage, making it ideal in any outdoor sport requiring maximum outsole grip, such as rugby.

Cushioning is probably the most important aspect when it comes to prevention of injuries, adds Justin Maier, Nike SA’s Footwear Merchandising Manager. "Two of Nike’s statement boots, the Air Zoom Total 90 111 and the Nike Air Legend, both have Zoom Air cushioning. Air is probably one of the best cushioning systems, since it always returns to its original form."

Player comfort

The design of a boot can also enhance ball control. In soccer, side and hidden lacings improve the ball strike area, says Whipp, and the use of different materials on the forefoot by Mitre, improves ball control off the boot face.

Darryl Kroll of Umbro SA agrees that the design of a football boot not only ensures protection from injury – which is of paramount importance – but that the design can improve play and comfort.

Umbro therefore focuses on four principles when designing their soccer boots — comfort, durability, aesthetics and affordability.

"Umbro designers continue to set the benchmark for all others to follow with regards to innovation and technical football boot design," he says. "Every year, Umbro releases a boot that inspires and excites the world of football."

And this year is no exception. "The X-boot is the pinnacle of boot design," he says. It is used by the likes of Michael Owen (Real Madrid and England), Alan Shearer (Newcastle United and former England football captain), Deco, Michael Salgado and Luis Garcia (Real Madrid star).

The technology used, says Kroll, "is immense" and has been developed to improve the game. For instance:

» There is a medial strike area to the front of the foot that enhances control and optimum grip in all weather conditions.
» Ceramic K-leather is used for higher abrasion resistance and reduced water intake.
» Then there is the X-static 99% pure silver fibre technology in the tongue and inlay sole that provides the most efficient heat and moisture control system ever developed, explains Kroll.
» The eXo Skeleton heel counter withstands high impact shock to provide excellent protection and medial and lateral stability support.

The two premier boots in Umbro’s 2005-range are the X-boot and the X Lite.

Kroll says part of the X-boot’s excellence, is the wishbone-technology, which has been owned and refined by Umbro. The wishbone itself is a thermo polyurethane (TPU) shank. The TPU-shank gives flexibility and torsion ability between the front part of the foot and the rear foot, as well as increased stability for the player.

The system allows natural rotation between the rear foot and the forefoot, whilst supporting the middle part of the foot.

Flex in the middle of the shoe is negative, to correct foot strike and by having the wishbone shank, this is reduced dramatically.

The X Lite boot incorporates all the X-boot technology in an extremely lightweight boot with an upper made from ultra light Japanese Teijin microfibre. This microfibre provides for a high level of ball feel and responsiveness to the foot. The boot weighs in at an impressive 140g and incorporates the Umbro IAS system (Impact Absorption System) for optimum responsive cushioning.

Performance & protection

Puma boots are designed for both performance and protection, says Brett Bellinger. The main feature of the new Puma range will be the release of the King Exec Boot in October. The boot’s design is based on a sprinter’s spike shoe, and has a more natural foot shape than the traditional boot.

The boots provide comfort through pressure reduction in key areas, while transforming energy into action.

The laces of the Puma-boot have been positioned off-centre to increase the strike zone of the foot on the ball. The upper material is of premium quality full grain leather, ensuring a snug fit and limited stretch.

The outsole features new anatomically placed cleats, as well as flex grooves to support natural foot movement, and it spreads pressure more evenly.

Something for all

The new Olympic team boot range is very competitive in terms of price, as well as styling.

"We have endeavoured to keep the range as up to date as possible with regard to current trends and customer demands," says Olympic International brand manager Miles O’Brien. "In doing this, we have been able to offer a product that would suit the more traditional player, as well as someone looking for more modern styling."

The range itself caters for all types of playing conditions, from traditional screw-in (8 and 6 stud) styles to multi-stud and fashionable blade sole styles.

"Olympic has always had a good value driven junior range and this season is no different, with both blade and multi-stud boots included," says O’Brien.

The hockey range is very well represented, with boots for all types of natural and synthetic playing surfaces catered for.

"Even though we have managed to keep our product competitively priced, we have still managed to raise our quality standard as high as possible. A big drive this season and going forward, is to make our product more visible in terms of styling, colour options and branding."

Cushioning the foot

All Nike’s statement products have Poron (soft compound) inserts in the sockliners, which assists with the cushioning of the foot, says Maier.

They have three performance silo’s – Mercurial, Total 90 and Tiempo – for three different type of athletes. Each of them has a completely different design, which provides for the different consumer needs and offers different benefits.

The Mercurial Vapor is a lightweight boot (a mere 196g) designed for speed and acceleration. The upper is made of a lightweight material called NikeSkin, an ultra-thin material that conforms to the natural curvatures of the foot, that has a super soft feel.

The Air Zoom Total 90 111 is designed for the player who is on the go for the full 90 minutes of a game and needs the most comfortable shoe during this time. It is made from a soft, supple ultra-lightweight KNG-100 material that enhances ball feel and foot comfort.

It has an asymmetrical, integrated lacing system, which eliminates internal layers to provide optimal fit and touch. The midsole is a Nike injected phylon sole, which provides optimal comfort and great stud pressure reduction.

The Nike Air Legend has been designed for the player who likes to create the play and has the touch. Made of extremely soft leather, it is built on a new contoured last, and features an external heel counter that provides ultimate fit and comfort. The mid-sole has visible Zoom Air in the innersole board and a hi-tech molded sockliner for greater shoe comfort. The innovative new outsole features a glass fiber shank and toe for lightweight rigidity.

Boot democracy

Gilbert believes in boot-democracy – a boot designed and produced BY the players FOR the players, says Storm Ackerman. Their rugby range features a solid sole unit that is not as flexible as the soccer versions, and results in greater support, as well as surer footing for players who rely on the boots for grip and forward thrust, while scrumming, stepping and tackling. A blade caters for a harder, firmer surface, while the studded option is more suitable for a lush, sometimes wet, surface.

There is another category — a tight forward may prefer an eight-stud-option, while a back might opt for a six-studded boot.

Ackerman says the Gilbert rugby boots have uppers made from the very best that technology has to offer, ensuring comfort and protection from various elements that players may encounter.

Interchangeable insoles

One of the innovations for the 2005-series of adidas boots would be the use of the X Traxion clip-in-system for adaptable grip on soft terrain. Adidas will also use interchangeable fusion frame insoles for customised performance.

The adidas boot uppers are designed with a split outsole for optimised weight and flexibility. The brand uses a high abrasion textile with low water absorption. An innovative lace cover is also used for optimal fit and increased kicking area.

Adidas will use blown K-leather for protection and good ball feel, as well as full grain leather for comfort and soft feel.

Adidas has also introduced Predator technology for more power, swerve and ball control. Strategically positioned rubber vamps are placed on the uppers, which allow for better ball adhesion to provide more control, swerve, power and accuracy.