With Christmas fast approaching (you can tell its Xmas as the Easter eggs are in the shops) its time to look at the Footy Boots picks for the best presents you can buy.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll highlight our top 5 medium and entry level boots, but we start off today with our selections from the elite level. We’ve come up with one boot per brand – boots that we know can do a job and will offer value for money.

Nike CTR360 Maestri

This new line from has exploded on the scene and Nike must be purring in head office after getting Cesc Fabregas to be their lead ambassador.

The Spanish international has hardly put a foot wrong since he started wearing the CTR and his performances must be going a long way to persuade players that this is the boot for them.

Dampening pods on the outside of the forefoot provide a softer first touch when receiving the ball, whilst an asymmetrical lacing system greatly expands the ball control area.

The instep utilizes a harder material to provide extra pace on the pass - the forefront and the instep work together for a lighter more controlled take but quicker delivery, minimising time on the ball.

Nike has developed the revolutionary KANGA-LITE synthetic leather that mimics the supreme feel of kangaroo leather, while maintaining its performance in all conditions and allows for a snug fit.

When a player strikes the ball, a well planted foot is just as important as the striking boot. Nike has integrated dual-density forefoot studs that not only reduce the stud weight but help grip the ball better without compromising traction or stability.

The heel studs are built to be strong and stable to create a sure footing while controlling the ball with the other foot.

Shape correcting memory foam delivers uniform contact with the ball for greater precision. An injected pass-pad on the combines with the memory foam to deliver the ball at optimum pace.

In addition to receiving, controlling and distributing, in developing the boot, Nike not only looked at increasing control, but maximising comfort. Therefore, a sock liner with an additional comfort layer sits within the boot, reducing stress on the foot and minimising friction.

adidas Predator_X

Walk down Oxford Street in London, look at the display in the adidas shop and then say you aren’t impressed by the latest in the Predator line. We’d venture that you’d find it a difficult task to undertake.

A brand new ‘Powerspine’ has been inspired by the revolutionary ‘fingersave’ technology that now exists within adidas goalkeeper gloves.

Positioned in the inner sole of the boot, the ‘Powerspine’ minimises the energy lost when players strike a football through a reduction in the “kicking flex” in the forefoot area.

This additional energy is transferred into the ball and away from the fragile ligaments and bones that exist at the top of the foot.

Through vigorous testing the Predator_X is proven to have on average 7% more kicking power than the most recent Predator football boot.

The ability for players to swerve the ball has always been the stand-out technical innovation of the Predator football boot and a new material has been used on the Predator_X to further enhance this.

Positioned on the kicking zone of the boot, the Predator element is a mix of rubber and silicon meaning it is lightweight but impactful.

The positioning of the Predator element has been slightly altered to maximise the swerve players are able to achieve. These changes result in an increase in swerve and a proven consistency no matter what the weather conditions.

To enhance control, it is the belief of adidas that the space between a player’s foot and the top of the boot must be minimal. Optifit technology brings the upper materials in all areas as close as possible to the top of the foot.

Thermoform technology has been incorporated on the side of the boot which acts as memory foam to enable a perfect fit time and time again.

The football boot is constructed from Taurus leather which combines a weather and abrasion proof material with lightweight features. The inclusion of the medial split and mono-tongue provide stability and support.

Umbro Speciali

The England captain wears them and that’s good enough for us. When a player of John Terry’s class and ability believes in a boot, then who are we to say any different.

Umbro has designed a boot that builds upon Speciali’s traditional values with incredible comfort, improved control, increased accuracy and additional power.

The boot’s famous premium soft leather creates outstanding fit, delivering supreme touch, accuracy and control.

The eye catching A-Frame design has become a central functional component for the new Speciali, cradling the mid-foot and securing the heel.

The high density memory foam in the tongue and collar maintains its shape and there are fast flex grooves in the outsole for greater flexibility. The lightweight precision studs are engineered with aircraft grade aluminium and its the lightest Speciali Umbro have ever made.

Lotto StadioFuoriclasse

If you want minimalist styling with a classic look, excellent detailing and a trim to die for then Italy is the place to go.

We just adore the look of the Stadio Fuoriclasse and while it doesn’t get anywhere near the exposire of the boots as mentioned as above, perhaps if you all buy it for Xmas, it might do so soon.

As you’d expect from an Italian boot, the Stadio Fuoriclasse has a certain amount of flair and whilst it’s available in the Lotto staple colourways of White / Black and Black / White, it also comes in a striking Black / Neon Green version.

It’s fairly brimming with interesting features starting off with it’s water-repellent kangaroo upper for an extraordinarily comfortable fit.

The removable anatomic insole maximises comfort for the entire sole of the foot and the new outsole with the conical studs is sewn onto the upper to ensure durability.

The boot is completed by the Puntoflex technology, inserted in the metatarsal zone of the outsole, ensuring the correct flexing of the forefoot.

Concave PT+

A strange choice perhaps but we were keen to include a boot from an up and coming brand and since they signed John O’Shea on a two-year contract, Concave certainly comes in to that category.

O’Shea is the company’s first major signing and he’ll doutbless be providing a great shop window for them playing week in, week out for Manchester United.

Patented technology on the top of the boot gives players 30% better control and 15% more power, according to an accredited university study. Concave is unique in that respect.

Those performance improvements are derived primarily from the most effective ‘sweet spot’ ever introduced — rated at four times larger than traditional football boots.   The benefit is an upper that conforms to the convex shape of the ball – essentially “hugging” the ball.

The Shank Balance Stabilizer or SBS provides support and reinforcement to the mid-foot area to help control balance between the front and rear of the foot. The SBS protects from an over extension of the middle of the boot – too much flexibility can lead to metatarsal bone damage.

MetaGuard is an extra layer of protection built into the boot. It’s a unique upper design featuring a flexible layer of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers) and reinforced cushioning foam composite offering increased protection against the occurrence of metatarsal injuries by adding a protective layer to the top of the foot.

When our US based tester Matt first spotted the F50i being player tested by Higuain a little over a year ago in Madrid, he was so impressed he put his name down straight away to be the reviewer. Here’s how he got on….. 

I was excited about testing the F5oi. It was August 2008 when I first saw the football boot whilst watching the Real Madrid pro’s training. Ever since I’ve been looking forward to lacing up the F50i and seeing if it lived up to my high expectations.

Adidas F50i Boot Test

The F50i tested - Leather in the white / black / red colourway.

Aesthetics

The all important looks. adidas has positioned the world famous three stripes brilliantly, giving the football boot a very sleek look in design. I like the look of the F50i, I think it flows well from heel to toe. Some say the silhouette doesn’t match the streamlining effect of the stripes making the F50i look slightly bulky. I don’t see that though.

Comfort/Fit

The football boot has no defining shape that hugs the foot to the upper and sole, I found this made it a little uncomfortable first up. The soleplate was surprisingly rigid and, being on firm ground, I felt pressure points from the studs all over the sole of my foot.

I was impressed with the lace cover, it is very well designed. It allowed easy access to tighten the laces which really helped improve the fit.

Durability

The leather is thick, so there’s little chance of it wearing thin in a short time span. Having said this, the stitching does pull at the leather and cause small tears on the instep of the boot. I found the leather stretched about 1/4 of an inch after a few weeks of use, so you may need to wear thicker socks over time. That said, with a little stretching the football boot can become more comfortable.

The studs are replaceable adding longevity, no problems there. It’s also been reported that TUNiT soleplates have been prone to snapping and cracking. During and after the testing, I saw no signs of potential soleplate problems.

Touch

Having worn the synthetic version of the F50i, I was expecting a very thin ult k-leather to be used in order to mimmick the SprintSkin material. That wasn’t the case. The ult k-leather is pretty thick and importantly, provides a great feel for the ball.

In fact the ult k-leather is very plush, it covers all areas of the forefoot. In my mind it makes these football boots ideal for dribbling and cushioning the ball.

Traction

The soleplate of the TUNiT line is a bit suspect to criticism in my opinion. There is little arch support offered and whilst I’m being really picky,  the “Allesklar” material used in the heel counter and sole plate doesn’t shave off much weight.

Another big plus is the ability to change your studs to suit the surface of the playing field, it can save you having to buy specific boots for different turfs. There’s no need to worry about your studs being worn down either as you can simply buy a new set. And, in my tests, the studs stayed tight throughout, though I always recommend checking them before each use.

Conclusion

The biggest point of note for this football boot is the great touch it provides, an essential consideration for any serious footballer.

The downside for me was the comfort when first used, and the fit.

I think adidas will improve on a few features going forward and with the likes of Messi, Villa, Young, Robben and Defoe all acting as boot ambassadors, it’s easy to understand why this football boot has been such a huge hit since it’s release back in May of this year.

Have you used the F50i? If so, drop your review in the comments section below.

We all know, in the back of our minds, that slipping on a new pair of football boots isn’t going to transform you overnight.

If you currently play as well as Sylvester Stallone did in ‘Escape to Victory’ you won’t suddenly possess the skills of Pele, Maradona and Messi just by slipping on some new footwear.

Bobby Moore, Michael Caine and Stallone

However, as technology ever increases and manufacturers claims grow ever bolder, perhaps the advantages a newly developed pair of football boots can give you aren’t as far fetched as some of us may have believed a year or so ago.

Before we go any further lets be clear. If you change to Superfly’s, you won’t automatically cut a couple of seconds of your best time for 60 metres. If you can’t beat the keeper from 30 yards no matter how hard you try, it’s unlikely that by putting on the new Predator_X that you’ll immediately morph in to Steven Gerrard and if your touch is about as impressive as that of an elephant after a big night out and one too many vodka and Red Bull’s, it’s doubtful that by utilising the Tiempo III that you’ll take on the grace and balance of Darcy Bussell.

I really must work on my first touch!

However, football boot science is such that the constant flow of improvements must create certain advantages. These are possibly heightened at the elite level but may not be quite so obvious for amateurs.

By way of interest, let’s examine what has happened to players who have started wearing the Nike CTR360 Maestri.

First off, I think it’s fair to say that Nike couldn’t have made a better choice than Cesc Fabregas to be the football boot’s lead ambassador. The Spaniard is in the form of his life. He started off by debuting the boots against Blackburn Rovers, a game in which he set up four goals and scored another. A flash in the pan? No way. He’s exuded total control ever since, masterminding Arsenal win after Arsenal win. And he can’t stop scoring either as goals since that Blackburn game against AZ Alkmaar (twice), Spurs and Wolves have proved.

Elsewhere, what about the two strikes of Sergio Aguero against Chelsea? Both were simply stunning. A fantastic volley on the run and one of the truest free kicks you’ll ever see.

There are others. Celtic may not be firing on all cylinders at the moment but Scott McDonald is one of their most consistent performers, Jan Vennegor of Hesselink scored a vital goal for Hull City just the other day, there’s Mario Balotelli in Italy and even Wayne Routledge in the Championship for QPR. All seem to be enjoying a new lease of life since transferring to the CTR360.

Coincidence? Maybe. But then again, maybe not. Let us know what you think by commenting below and, if you’ve worn the CTR360 and noticed a marked improvement in your game, tell us about that too.

One of the joys of being a sports mega-star is that people like to make things for you. And it probably helps too when you’re 6’11” and 253lbs! The kind of size that ensures that things get done.

They are vital statistics of Kevin Garnett, the forward with the Boston Celtics. Not only is this 14 year NBA veteran and Olympic gold medallist one of the best exponents of basketball, but he’s also mad keen on football and Chelsea in particular.

The power forward attended the LA Galaxy v Chelsea game at the Home Depot Centre in July 2007 and last year, the club presented him with his own Chelsea shirt with his name and number on the back.

To mark his support of the London club, adidas have come up with the TS Commander Lite Chelsea KG basketball shoe.

This limited edition shoe is in bold Chelsea royal blue and yellow with a Chelsea lion design on the tongue. Additionally, it has a football design etched into sections of the midsole. The outsole is made up of a non marking rubber, the upper is in suede with an EVA midsole with adiPrene cushioning.

The shoe is available at the Chelsea Mega Store USA in US sizes 7 to 12. It retails at $124.99.

Despite being replaced by the v1.10 last month, it’s been interesting to see how many players have opted not to ‘upgrade’ just yet.

The v1.08 was a great success for PUMA, responsible for 65 goals in the Premier League last season on the feet of players like John Carew, Peter Crouch and golden boot winner Nicolas Anelka. Even Ashley Cole famously converted from adidas though he’s since moved on to Nike.

So what was it that made the v1.08 so special? This week, I’m looking at the K-leather incarnation, immediately after testing the v1.10 to see if I can see why certain players are sticking with their now-outdated models.

Comfort/Fit

I’ve used the v1.08 countless times as an example of a boot that isn’t instantly ‘wearable’ – and I’m not about to do a u-turn on it for this review. Whilst the K-Leather version shows a definite improvement in the comfort of the upper, the heel does rub on the first few wears. If you’re planning on picking up a pair, make sure you follow all the advice you can get on wearing them in at this time of year, as the rain will only make the damage done to your heel even worse.

Another issue I had with the boot is the length of the studs on the SG model. PUMA have clearly looked to combine their knowledge of the running track with that of the classic 6-stud football boot, as these studs are like a hybrid of a running spike and a screw-in metal stud. If you’re not playing on really soft turf, you’re likely not to have the boot ‘sink in’ fully, as the studs are just that big.

All this means that if you’re not fully embedded in the turf, you can feel the boot flexing and bowing under your feet – it’s an odd sensation, and I didn’t feel like the boot was supporting me properly, which is exactly the opposite of what you want when you’re playing on soft ground.

One the upside; I do love what the rest of the boot has to offer. After the initial breaking in period, the heel holds your foot in place really well – which is massively impressive on a boot with such a low profile. Also, whilst the upper might not be what you’d expect from K-leather (it’s thinner, smoother and a bit more ‘papery’) it’s a snug fit to your foot, and provides a ‘grippy’ surface for contact with the ball.

Durability

The v1.08 is a boot that has gained no end of durability in its switch to a full leather upper. Firstly, all that synthetic material that weaves its way across the canvas upper of the standard v1.08 has been replaced with a single consistant piece of K-leather.

Having tested these boots across October and the start of November I can vouch that these boots are consistently waterproof, even on some of the most quagmire-like pitches across Yorkshire. In addition to the this, there’s no discernible points of potential weakness across the boot.

Stitching has been kept to a minimum, and even when PUMA have deemed it necessary, the seams are often hidden in the folds of the boot - for example, the stitching down one side of the PUMA ‘Cat’ is nigh-on invisible.

Feel

When it comes to contact with the ball, PUMA have done an excellent job with the lacing of the boot. The side offset lacing pulls the upper snug onto the top of your foot, which leaves an unparalleled area for getting your foot around a ball. With no gimmicks for more power or swerve the taught leather means this area is tailor-made if, like me, you like to really get your forefoot through a ball when crossing or taking a free kick.

The toe end of the boot is a little unusual. Personally, I found that the front end of the K-leather edition is a little too ‘roomy’. Considering that the boot is such a tight fit everywhere else it just seems a little odd that there’s so much room in this area of the boot. I didn’t mind it too much as I don’t tend to strike the ball with the tops of my toes too often, but I imagine that anyone who does might find it a little more difficult to get a proper contact.

Adding to this, the looser fit around the toe end makes playing the ball off the outside of the foot a little bit trickier, as the foot isn’t as close to the ball.

Dribbling with the ball is fantastic in the v1.08, their slightly ’scooped’ shape is perfect for close control, helping give you the truest possible touch when raiding on and knocking the ball forward with the top of your foot. As I mentioned before, the tight leather upper is awesome for receiving passes and taking the sting out of driven crosses. One complaint would, again, be the studs. Being so big and cumbersome you can’t really ‘roll’ your foot over the top of the ball. So if you like changing lanes and pulling the ball under your feet - you might find it a little more difficult in the SG model.

Conclusion

The v1.08 K-leather is a boot that does an enormous amount right. The leather upper, whilst not being ‘traditional’ K-leather, works fantastically - waterproofing the teabag-like v1.08 for the winter season and bending and twisting with the boot. The lightweight construction and glove-like upper is exactly the sort of characteristics you might expect for a boot prefered by wingers and strikers.

Much like the Mizuno Wave Shinken II, I’ll happily recommend this boot for anyone that’s perhaps tried a ’speed’ boot like Vapor V, or indeed the new v1.10 and found them a little too tight around the toes.

My real flaw with the v1.08’s is undoubtedly the massive studs - I think they’re a little bit intrusive when controlling or dribbling the ball with the underside of the boot, and when you’re standing still you can notice them ‘bowing’ in the centre of the boot.

But credit to PUMA, as the only issue I have is with the SG version. You shouldn’t have any such worries if you’re in a sunnier part of the world at the moment, or ply your trade on artificial turf. There will almost certainly be a price drop coming soon to the v1.08, so if you want a nearly weightless attackers boot that’s a little different (or a bit wider if you’ve got big feet) then you’ll definitely find something for your game in these boots.

If you are a fan of the new adidas Predator_X football boot, make sure you keep a close eye on ITV’s UK coverage of England’s friendly international against Brazil in Qatar this Saturday.

A brand new ad will get is premiere during the match and judging by this behind the scenes footage, it should create something of an impact.

Shot at a secret location it features Steven Gerrard and David Beckham, both of them getting soaked to the skin on a specially created, raised, artificial pitch Who says the life of a highly paid footballer is an easy one!

In the video, Beckham wears his personalised Red / White Predator_X boots while Gerrard goes for the traditional Black / White / Red colourway.

It’s probably slightly annoying for adidas that both players won’t feature in the game. Gerrard is injured while Beckham has pulled out of the squad after LA Galaxy beat Chivas USA to qualify for the MLS Western Conference final.

Even without two of his star names, coach Fabio Capello will be looking to improve upon England’s dismal record against Brazil. In 22 meetings, England have won just 3.

You can watch the behind the scenes video by clicking here.

It’s never easy asking people to predict how new products will perform in the future but that didn’t stop nearly 2000 of you registering a vote in the latest Footy Boots debate.

Asked which of the latest football boots from adidas, Nike and PUMA would have the biggest impact, both immediately and in the long term, the result was incredibly close with the adidas Predator_X just edging out the Nike CTR360.

In the end, the Predator_X received 48% of the vote, the CTR 45% with the v1.10 from PUMA coming in with 7%.

Short term, it could be argued that in fact, the CTR360 has made the biggest impact what with goals and assists from the likes of Fabregas and Aguero but it should also be remembered that it was released a month before the new adidas model.

Against that, there are still a number of players yet to debut the Predator_X such as Steven Gerrard and possibly a few more who may make the switch from their current boots.

The name most closely linked to such a move is Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema who is rumoured to be swapping over to the latest adidas boot from his trusty adiPure II’s.

Similarly, to be absolutely fair to the v1.10, it is by design a speed boot and therefore will appeal to a niche market, hence it’s lower rating.

In any event, having tested all 3 new boots (Predator_X, CTR360 and v1.10) Footy Boots can report that they all perform in their own unique way and it’s unlikely that anyone will disappointed after purchasing them. As for performance on professional pitches across the world, it could be argued that the jury is still out.

This season’s Champions League is turning out to be one of the best ever. Unfancied teams are beating or holding the big guns, a number of past winners are struggling and some new names have cropped up to give the tournament a much needed breath of fresh air.

So, as the competition starts to hot up, we’re giving you the chance to pick the best XI from all of the current squads.

Based on Matchday Four, Footy Boots editor Andy Kay has complied our fantasy side and to say it’s controversial is putting it mildly.

Players from Rubin Kazan and CSKA are in while plenty of big names such as Lampard, Essien, Rooney, Benzema, Pato, Hulk and Ronaldinho are not.

Do you agree with his selections or has he got it wildly wrong? And if so, what would be your best XI? Let us know by commenting below.

Goalkeeper

Victor Valdes – Barcelona

It can’t have been easy for the Spanish stopper, standing around watching his team mates in temperatures of around -7c. But the mark of a good goalkeeper is being able to pull out all the stops after long periods of inactivity. Valdes more than did this with a number of crucial saves which allowed his side to take a vital point from the game.

Victor Valdes wears Nike Tiempo Air Legend II football boots.

Defenders

Cesar Navas – Rubin Kazam

Like Valdes, Navas was another Spaniard to shine on a freezing cold night in Russia. The Rubin Kazam defender had to be on his game throughout as Barcelona mounted attack after attack. It’s been a good competition so far for Navas who, but for a foot injury, could have been playing with English Championship side Ipswich Town this season! Who said metatarsal injuries were always a bad thing?

Cesar Navas wears adidas adiPure II football boots.

Hilton - Marseille

The Brazilian didn’t have too much to do at the back as FC Zurich were a bit powder-puff but a central defender who scores goals is worth his weight in gold. Hilton did just that as the French team moved to within a point behind AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Hilton wears adidas Predator X football boots.

Ashley Cole - Chelsea

It wasn’t an entirely comfortable night for the Londoners in Spain but Cole put in another solid display at left back. He was blameless for the host’s two goals and did little to damage his reputation as one of the best left backs in the world. The simple fact is that Cole is capable of performing live week in, week out. Unlike his Mrs!

Ashley Cole wears Nike CTR360 football boots.

Dario Dainelli - Fiorentina

The Fiorentina captain was relatively solid at the back but gets the nod (excuse the upcoming pun) because of his incredibly brave header which gave the Viola a 2 – 1 lead which they eventually turned in to a 5 – 2 win. Despite getting a face full of the Debrecen goalkeeper’s fist, Dainelli still managed to guide his header in to the net as the home team went second in Group E, a point behind Lyon but more importantly, 5 in front of third placed Liverpool.

Dario Dainelli wears Bikkembergs Tirosegno football boots.

Midfield

Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal

Is there nothing this man can’t do at the moment? Fabregas is in the form of his life and he prompted his Arsenal side to a convincing 4 – 1 win over AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium which puts the English team on the brink of qualification. Not only that but he’s scoring goals for fun lately and added a couple more in this game. Just brilliant.

Cesc Fabregas wears Nike CTR360 football boots.

Kaka - Real Madrid

Kaka pulled all the strings as he return to his former club, a sure sign of his commanding display was how quickly his warm reception turned to jeers as Madrid dominated the early proceedings. And it was from Kaka’s shot that Madrid were to take the lead as Benzema knocked in the parry from Dida. Just the kind of performance required by the Spaniards on what could have been a difficult night at the San Siro.

Kaka wears adidas adiPure II football boots.

Milos Krasic - CSKA Moscow

He may also be in the running for worst haircut of the week, but the Serbian international more than showed off his footballing credentials against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Any thoughts that Krasic and his CSKA team mates were going to be overawed were laid to rest as they raced in to a 3 – 1 lead, Krasic scoring one of the goals. Although United pegged them back to 3 – 3, Krasic will have enjoyed his 25th birthday.

Milos Krasic wears PUMA v1.06 football boots.

Yoann Gourcuff - Bordeaux

As boos rang around the Allianz Arena, Bordeaux playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and his team mates walked off the pitch safe in the knowledge that they had booked a place in the last 16 whilst also leaving Bayern Munich four points off send place in Group A. Gourcuff scored his side’s opening goal, could have had another and ran a tight ship in midfield when the German’s looked to get forward. Another good night’s work by the current French player of the year.

Yoann Gourcuff wears adidas adiPure II football boots.

Forwards

Sergio Aguero - Atletico Madrid

You won’t see two better strikes from one player in a game for a long time. The second half substitute rammed home a superb volley to give Atletico Madrid the lead against Chelsea then stepped up to plant a late free kick past the despairing Petr Cech to earn the home team a 2 – 2 draw. That’s what you call making an impact from the bench and the volley was worth the entrance money alone.

Sergio Aguero wears Nike CTR360 football boots.

Didier Drogba - Chelsea

Mind you, Aguero didn’t have it all his own way at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Didier Drogba marked his return to European action with two goals of his own. The first, a pretty routine header and the second, a fantastic solo effort that perfectly demonstrated his pace and power. Will need to keep it up if Chelsea are to go all the way this year. Much more helpful to his team when standing up as opposed to writhing around on the deck for no apparent reason.

Didier Drogba wears Nike Vapor Superfly football boots.

Steven Gerrard is a man who eats, sleeps and breathes the adidas Predator. Cut him and he’d probably bleed three stripes.

The Liverpool and England star has been a Predator fan since he persuaded his father to cough up for a pair when he was just 14 years of age.

At the time, the price of a pair of Pred’s caused the family some hardship. Not so now. Gerrard is one of the biggest names in world football and has become the quintessential adidas ambassador.

Gerrard just adores the Predator. Indeed, he tends to fall in love with certain boots and it seems that sometimes it’s hard for the adidas hierarchy to get him to move on to the latest model.

But there should be no problem with the Predator_X. As you will see from this latest adidas video, Gerrard looks to be genuinely impressed with the 10th incarnation of the Predator with only injury keeping him away from debuting the boots along with the likes of Berbatov, Raul and Simao.

During the video, Gerrard looks back at some of the older Predator models that he’s worn during his career, describes the Predator_X as “light and comfortable” while admitting that he’s something of a boot traditionalist, which rather points to the fact that he’ll be wearing the Black / White / Red colourway when he’s fit and back in the Liverpool first team.

To watch the Steven Gerrard Predator_X video, click here.

As the adidas Predator_X got its on-pitch debut at the weekend in the two colourways we already knew about, David Beckham got in on the act with a bespoke pair in California.

Playing for LA Galaxy against Chivas USA in the MLS Western Conference play-off semi finals, Beckham turned out in a White / Red pair of the Predator_X football boots as he helped his side to a 2 – 2 draw.

It was an interesting pick by the former England captain as his previous adidas boots have normally included a fold over tongue, which of course, doesn’t appear on the Predator_X.

Additionally, the stud configuration on Beckham’s boot was changed from the norm, plus there seemed to be an element or two that had been kept from his old PowerSwerve footwear.

The general consensus however is that the England man has come up with a real winner on this occasion with the design and the colourway getting a resounding thumbs up from fans around the globe. Indded, they are so stylish, it’s possible he might even get a smile out of Posh!

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The new adidas Predator _X made its European debut last night in Matchday Four of the Champions League.

First off, it was clear that players had continued their preference of using the new boots in the White / Brown / Yellow colourway over the more traditional Black / White / Red by a majority of around 3 to 1.

But that said, it did seem that in total, the Predator_X boots were a little thin on the ground.

At Old Trafford, Wes Brown and Antonio Valencia wore the new boots for Manchester United versus CSKA Moscow as did Simao and Michaell Ballack in the match between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea (though it was the CTR’s and Superfly’s of Aguera and Drogba respectively that stole the show).

As far as we could make out, not one of the 22 starters at the San Siro wore the Predator_X though they did gain representation when Raul came on as a second half substitute for Real Madrid as they drew 1 – 1 with AC Milan. But adidas did get on the score sheet through the adiPure’s of Karim Benzema with Ronaldinho equalising for the home side in his own signature line.

Again, we struggled to see the Predator_X at the beginning of the match between Bayern Munich and Bordeaux though 76th minute sub Jussie wore them when he replaced Wendel whilst elsewhere, they were used by, amongst others, Helio Pinto of Apoel Nicosia, Sascha Riether of Wolfsburg and Hilton of Marseille.

Hilton scored in Marseille’s 6 - 1 demolition of FC Zurich

However, we should see some top adidas players in the new footwear in tonight’s Champions League encounters.

Dirk Kuyt could be a key player for Benitez and Liverpool tonight

In particular at the Stade Gerland in the game between Lyon and Liverpool with Ederson, Cissokho, Bastos, Kuyt and Voronin all having used the Predator_X last weekend.

Hilton image courtesy of uefa.com 

Already left in the wake of the Predator_X’s hype, its predecessor in the Predator series is in danger of becoming quickly forgotten.

But for those who were loyal fans of the 9th edition of the Predator and with some pretty good deals around now, we’ve decided to take a look back at the Predator PowerSwerve and so you can compare it with the newest generation.

Comfort/Fit

Like previous generations, this Predator PowerSwerve Control is among the most comfortable boots I’ve tested. The soft leather and molded foot bed are accommodating and  supportive even after a full practice session, though it must be said there isn’t a great deal of arch support. The multi-density plastics do a good job of balancing support with flexibility in the midfoot area, but I would have preferred k-leather to be have been used instead.

The soleplate is integrated into the k-leather upper extremely well, so there is a tight fit. The heel-counter rises high in the back and sides to lock the foot into the boot extremely well, ensuring your foot never slides in any direction.

Durability

adidas has always been known for the quality of its products and materials, and the Predator PowerSwerve adds no blemish to that reputation. The leather is fairly thin, so it does show signs of wear after a few weeks of testing, but still manages to hold up well. As you would expect, the band holding the tongue in place does fray over time and will eventually tear.

Touch

A noticeable feature that has diminished with each evolution of the Predator is the amount of k-leather used as much of it has been replaced with a synthetic. Such a change in choice of materials would obviously save adidas funds in the production of the boot, but it also sacrificed the footballers’ feel for the ball.

I say this because there isn’t a great deal of k-leather on the instep and outstep of the boot, so the cushion that would have previously been provided isn’t there. The toe box is quite small as well so the boot isn’t particularly suited for dribbling. What k-leather is on the forefoot is largely covered by the iconic Predator tongue.

Features

The rubber Predator element doesn’t provide much aid in producing a swerve effect on the ball, but does provide a nice visual reference to where you should be striking the ball to “Bend it like Beckham”.

As far as the boot being focused on ‘Control’, I fail to see how the design of the vamps helps with that. The tungsten PowerPulse technology doesn’t add any visible power to your strikes, nor does it feel as if it does.

Traction

In my opinion adidas offer the best sole plate available with their Traxion stud placement. Though the soleplate isn’t very flexible, the bladed studs interact well with any surface- hard, soft, or firm ground. You never feel any awkward engagement with the turf.

Conclusion

These boots particularly cater to players who prefer the use of “power” to that of dribbling and skills. The Predator is as good as it gets when it comes to the passing and striking but they aren’t ideal for running with the ball in my opinion.

But make no mistake, these are a quality pair of boots and you can expect to find some good deals on them in the coming months as the Predator_X replaces the PowerSwerve on the feet of global stars Gerrard, Beckham, Ballack, and Raul.

Following its successful launch last week, some of the world’s top players got to try the Predator_X football boot competitively for the first time this weekend.

Here’s a few of the players we spotted wearing the new adidas footwear in Europe and beyond.

Leading the way for the German brand was Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov who cracked in a superb volley to set up the Premier League champions for a 2 – 0 win against Blackburn Rovers. Berbatov, who chose the Black / White / Red colourway was joined in the new boots by United team mates Antonio Valencia, Wes Brown and Anderson, the latter two going for the White / Brown / Yellow model.

Berbatov opens the scoring for Man Utd versus Blackburn Rovers

Another Predator-X winner was Chelsea’s Michael Ballack who wore the white versions in Chelsea’s 4 – 0 drubbing of Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium but Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin weren’t so lucky as Liverpool lost yet again, this time 3 - 1 away to Fulham. Meanwhile, James McFadden will probably want to forget his first game in the adidas football boots as he saw his penalty saved by Shay Given as Birmingham drew at home to Manchester City.

Raul gave the Predator_X an airing during Real Madrid’s win over Getafe while in Italy, Diego of Juventus also chose the new adidas boots though they didn’t bring him much luck as the Italian giants lost 3 – 2 at home to Napoli.

Diego in action for Juve against Napoli

The white versions were certainly the order of the day in Serie A. As well as Diego, other wearers included Cristian Brocchi and Stefano Mauri of Lazio, Philippe Mexes of Roma and Marcio Di Vaio of Bologna.

The French have obvioulsy bought a job-lot of the white boots as well such was their popularity during the match between Lyon at St Etienne. Ederson, Aly Cissokho and Fernadez Michel Bastos all wore them for the former champions while Gonzalo Ruben Bergessio also chose them for St Etienne. Interestingly, the yellow colouring must have caught the eye of the referee as Ederson, Cissokho and Bastos were all booked as was Bergessio!

Yep, they work! Ederson gets stuck in against St Etienne

Further afield, Real Salt Lake’s Tony Beltran went for the White / Brown / Yellow colourway as his side recorded a crucial 1 – 0 win over Columbus Crew in the first leg of their MLS Eastern Conference semi final.

Tony Beltran during RSL’s big win over Columbus Crew

Another MLS player in the new adidas boots was none other than David Beckham. No standard colourway for him though, as you’ll see from our story here.

And the boots also got some international rugby union action too as Australia’s fly half Matt Giteau debuted a pair in the Black / White / Red colourway in the loss to New Zealand in Tokyo.

Who did you spot wearing the Predator_X this weekend? Let us know by commenting below.

Images courtesy of uefa.com and mlsnet.com

The last month has seen three of the biggest names in football boot manufacturing bring out a signature product.

At the end of September, PUMA came up with the first new boot of the current football season with the highly visible, and so we’ve learnt since, very impressive v1.10.

A week later and Nike added to their current collection with a brand new boot, the CTR360. What followed was one of the most impressive debuts ever of a new football boot as CTR ambassador Cesc Fabregas ran the show against Blackburn at the Emirates, setting up four goals and scoring one himself.

And this weekend, following their launch on Monday, the top names in the adidas stable will showcase the new Predator_X in the English Premier League and beyond.

At Footy Boots, we’ve been lucky enough to road test all 3 boots (v1.10, Predator_X, CTR360) and we can assure you that all of them perform.

Sure, there are a couple of design features on each of them that might grate but in the main, they each do what they say on the tin, even if some of us might question a few aesthetic aspects across the range.

So, that leads us on to today’s poll which is this:

Which brand’s new footwear will have the biggest impact on the game in the immediate and long term future?

Of course, it might be too early to tell. adidas haven’t even got their boots seen on a pitch as yet and each boot has been tailored to a different market be it speed, control, power etc. But with such a high source of knowledge, expertise and opinion available to us through Footy Boots readers, it’s a question we’re going to pose anyway!

Make your selection below and then qualify your argument by commenting below.

And ensure you come back to Footy Boots on Monday morning as we’ll be reporting on which players turned out in the new Predator_X and which colourway they chose.

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