Friday, August 16, 2013

Boot Battle Showdown - 'Marathon Not A Sprint' - Nike vs. Adidas

League football is back, after what seemed like an eternity of a wait. The biggest league's around the world are all kicking off, the German League sprinted out last weekend, with the Premier League starting tomorrow and La Liga and Seria A beginning the week after and so on. The excitement is back and football fans around the globe are on the edge of their seats, many battles will be on show, but who will win the boot battle?.

During the off-season and pre-season #TeamCrosstrainersa were testing out an array of boots, from the Nike Hypervenom to the new Messi F50 boot. Gathering all the data needed, we have put together a boot-battle special for you to see.


  

We start off with the most talked about boots of the year, these two boots have been growing in popularity over the off-season & pre-season. We first saw the boots in proper action during the CONFED Cup in Brazil, both boots have their positives and negatives. 

Nike Hypervenom

Without a doubt the marketing of the boot was tremendous, jetting us all into Rio for the boot presentation. The distribution of the boot to the selected professional Nike players, was immaculate. Each player had been hand picked or switched from one silo to the next. Replacing the T90 boot was always in Nike's planning seeing as it was the worst performing boot in the family. Nike went all out and delivered, the playing squad they have signed to 'Team Hypervenom' is large and strong. For the professionals its a dream, the selected professionals I mean. For the consumer, its a bit of a disappointment. Why do I say this?...well, the boots come in a original orange Nike box, with a Hypervenom carry bag...that's about it. To some it may not matter at all, but I would have thought Nike would have gone for something a little more flashy, a Hypervenom packing box...something to make the price tag a little more worth it.


Performance wise the boot is of a very good standard, comfort wise too. The feeling of boot to ball feels authentic and right. Some professionals have disliked certain things about the boots, the durability and protection when it comes to boot on boot challenges. Looking away from those negatives I believe its a decent boot, perhaps its in the name...the boot was really about (HYPE) and not so much venom. I suppose time will tell how successful the boot will be when the hype cools down, in my opinion I was a little disappointed but it still earns a 7/10

Adidas Nitrocharge

The Nitrocharge was also a highly anticipated boot this summer (European Dates) the Adidas team took us to Barcelona for the revealing presentation. Adidas didn't put as much into the marketing as perhaps Nike did but it was still very potent. a Nitrocharge player is not as flash as a Hypervenom player, Adidas wanted to appeal to the hard working player's society. The Nitrocharge also came in a normal black and white Adidas box, perhaps they could have delivered a bit more as well. Now this isn't me trying to poke holes in Adidas' or Nike's plans, all I'm saying is give the customers a little more, for what they pay for. I mean the Nitrocharge doesn't even come with a carry bag, and that's the top of the range version. (Come on guys)



 Ranting aside, this is a very good football boot. The comfort, performance and touch is 100% spot on...Adidas have always been able to deliver quality engineered boots (Its a German thing). This is a boot that will last you a long time, of course if you take proper care of it. The professionals have been very complimentary of this boot as well, personally I feel its the best boot I've tested this year. A reminder that this review is coming from a avid Nike fan, so it should tell you how good this boot is. If you are a midfielder or a defender this boot is for you, protection from challenges, bad surfaces and weather you'll be fine. I believe its going to be a major hit this season, perhaps bigger than the Predator and F50...I give this boot a 9/10



CTR vs. Predator

These two boots were the 'star boys' of last season, arguably the best boots, both brands have made. Last season they both performed very well but who won?

According to stats (Last Season) in terms of goals in the top 4 European Leagues, this is how it went.

Nike CTR

  • Premier League (11 Goals)
  • La Liga (14 Goals)
  • Seria A (8 Goals)
  • Bundesliga (1 Goal)
Total = 34 Goals

Adidas Predator 

  • Premier League (20 Goals)
  • La Liga (18 Goals)
  • Seria A (20 Goals) 
  • Bundesliga (35 Goals)
Total = 93 Goals

According to the stats the Adidas Predator wins hands down, Nike may argue that this boot is more about assists than scoring goals, but Adidas can argue the same. In the end the numbers don't lie. 



Mercurial vs. F50

The age old speed battle that's divided players for over a decade. It's been another busy summer for the Adidas F50 adizero and the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX.

How did the numbers look last season?

Nike Mercurial Vapor IX

  • Premier League (24 Goals)
  • La Liga (21 Goals) 
  • Seria A (15 Goals)
  • Bundesliga (16 Goals)
Total = 76 Goals

Adidas F50

  • Premier League (29 Goals)
  • La Liga (47 Goals) 
  • Seria A (27 Goals)
  • Bundesliga (2 Goals)
Total = 105 Goals

Considering this battle includes the likes of CR7 and King Leo, it was always going to produce the most goals but yet again it looks like Adidas have run away with the victory. 

Speaking on the Adidas F50, I was fortunate enough to check out the new Messi F50. I tested the first edition of this boot last season and it was a big hit!. 

Adidas Messi F50 adizero

Old

New
Just like the first time, I was blown away by the packaging...the box is beautiful and immediately feel like you've received something important. The new colorway is quality and captures the Adidas theme of 'lighting up the pitch'. 


In terms of performance, the boot hasn't changed...still very light and responsive to all rapid movements. The connection from boot to ball still feels decent, it takes time to adjust to the boot to ball physics. I was able to try out the new Adidas snapshot app as well, I recorded a faster shot in the F50's than I did in the heavier Nitrocharge boot. Although the Nitrocharge personally feels better in terms of boot to ball connection, the lighter F50 was able to connect sweeter with the ball. I previously gave the boot a 9/10 in my last review and I would stick with that rating, I genuinely enjoy playing in these boots and if your a speedster, you will love them too. Adidas are pushing the Messi brand to the next level and rumor has it the boot that will be released for next year's World Cup is outstanding!, possibly changing the way we look and view football boots.


Tiempo vs. Adipure




  
Elegance and touch, these are the two more mature boot silos from Nike and Adidas. They might not be well known for goals but here are the stats anyway...


Nike Tiempo Legend IV

  • Premier League (9 Goals)
  • La Liga (4 Goals)
  • Bundesliga (2 Goals)
  • Seria A (5 Goals)
Total = 20 Goals 

Adidas Adipure 

  • Premier League (15 Goals)
  • La Liga (6 Goals)
  • Bundesliga (9 Goals)
  • Seria A ( 5 Goals)
Total = 35 Goals

Again Adidas wins the battle...this is turning into a white-wash...


Adidas Copa Mundial vs Nike Premier


Nike recently re-introduced the Nike Premier to battle the Copa Mundial range that Adidas have. These boots will only be popular with a few of the players and market, its very old school and more for collection than performance. Seeing as we couldn't get stats for these boots, we will call it a draw. 



There we have it, overall Adidas walked away with the victory in terms of goals scored across the major leagues. A new battle is underway, so who will win this season? like we said the race is not a sprint it's a marathon. Watch the leagues closely and maybe your favored brand or boot will win. 

I hope you enjoyed this special #XTBootBattle blog, many thanks to Soccer Bible for the stats and a few pics. If you would like to follow Boot Bible on Twitter or on the web, you can do so here.

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Thanks for reading! 

Blessings & Love!

1 comment:

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