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.

Concave has pulled off a major coup by confirming that Manchester United star and Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea will wear their boots for the next two years.

O’Shea, who wore the ConcavePT+ boots for the first time during the Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, made his decision to become a  Concave ambassador following an extensive trial period of wearing the new 2009 Concave boots during United practice and other private, self-directed sessions.

After watching O’Shea sign his two-year deal, Concave CEO Jim Grimes said:

It is a great pleasure to welcome John O’Shea to our line-up. In fact, we are thrilled when someone of John’s stature believes in our product they way we do.

It is well known that John has earned the respect of his teammates, coach, and football fanatics around the globe. John’s hallmarks are his enduring passion for the sport and his commitment to excellence. Those qualities are the bedrock of our company culture.

John was very meticulous in his evaluation of our product, very particular about what he would sign his name to. So it truly is an honour for us to be affiliated with a player of John’s calibre. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with him.

O’Shea made his United debut in 1999 and became a regular in the side during the 2008 / 09 season. He has now made over 350 appearances for the club and holds the unique distinction of having played in every position, including that of goalkepper. Most recently O’Shea has worn the adidas adiPure II.

After putting pen to paper, O’Shea said:

As a professional football player it is crucial that I wear a boot that can help maximise my performance on the pitch. I believe Concave is the next big thing in football, the boots are unique in design and offer exclusive technology which hasn’t been seen before. The boots offer me increased protection and confidence, and I hope to be wearing Concave for the rest of my career.

Concave is a relative new-comer to the football boot world, having launched its first model of it’s technologically advanced product last autumn, as exclusively reported by Footy Boots. They are now introducing their much broader and eagerly anticipated 2009 product line in football specialty shops and online in the UK and the USA – and soon, globally.

Concave attributes its patented technology on the top of the boot with giving players at all levels the ability to increase their ball striking skills – in the areas of power, accuracy and control – while also protecting against foot injuries. In fact, tests have demonstrated a 15 percent increase in power and 30 percent greater accuracy when striking the ball, over traditionally designed football boots.

Although the financial aspect of the deal is to be kept private, it’s clear that O’Shea will become the marquee focus of Concave’s brand presence in the UK and Ireland, including at point of sale, online networking, and other promotional interaction with customers.

It looks as if Concave may have signed up their first major name judging by the evidence on show in yesterday’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester United.

United defender John O’Shea was spotted wearing the Concave PT+ as he played at right back in the champions 1 – 0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

John O’Shea, 2nd from left, in Concave PT+ football boots

Although the Concave hasn’t made a statement on contracting any ambassadors it’s been known that they’ve been looking to break in to the top flight with a well known and proven player for some time.

In O’Shea, Concave may well have hit pay dirt.

The Republic of Ireland international made his United debut in 1999 and became a regular in the side during the 2008 / 09 season. He was on the bench for last week’s Champions League game against CSKA Moscow having recently made his 350th appearance for the club against Stoke. The 28 year old was one of the goalscorers that day in United’s 2 - 0 win. Most recently, O’Shea has worn the adidas adiPure II.

Concave is a relative new-comer to the football boot world, having launched the first model of it’s technologically advanced product last autumn, as exclusively reported by Footy Boots. They are now introducing their much broader and eagerly anticipated 2009 product line in football specialty shops and online in the UK and the USA – and soon, globally.

Concave attributes its patented technology on the top of the boot with giving players at all levels the ability to increase their ball striking skills – in the areas of power, accuracy and control – while also protecting against foot injuries. In fact, in-house tests have demonstrated a 15 percent increase in power and 30 percent greater accuracy when striking the ball, over traditionally designed football boots.

O’Shea becomes the second player in the English Premier League to wear Concave football boots following the lead of Portsmouth’s Danny Webber.

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Despite all the multi-million pound signings that were made before the end of the September transfer window, for Concave, the most significant was a deal that was completed yesterday for no money at all.

Following Danny Webber’s move from Sheffield United to Portsmouth, a deal that was allowed to be completed outside of the transfer window due to Webber’s free-agent status, it now means that Concave will have their first ambassador playing in the English Premier League.

The 27 year old had talks with a number of Championship clubs including Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough but Webber secured his move to the EPL after Pompey boss offered the forward a two-year deal at Fratton Park.

Webber debuted the Concave PT+ at the back end of last season when he came on as a second half substitute for United against Swansea City.

Concave’s success in reaching the highest echelon of English football follows that of another breakthrough brand, Under Armour, who have Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora playing in the Dominate Pro at Fulham.

Jim Grimes, CEO and President of Concave Holdings Inc said:

Having now had the pleasure of working with Danny under the Concave brand, to see this move for him is wonderful. Danny is an extremely talented player who has now hit his stride and fully deserves to play at the EPL level.

We at Concave are extremely excited for Danny, who began wearing our boots last season. Our great hope is that our boots, coupled with his enormous talent and unbelievable work ethic, have helped Danny reach this new plateau in his career.  That would further confirm  that we do indeed have a world class product, as a growing number of professional players are attesting.

Our passion from the outset of this company has been to improve the game. In doing so, our mission is to provide a boot that helps improve the player.

Concave PT+ Football Boots

Following on from the first design, the PT1, the PT+ football boot has the following modifications:

• A fully integrated concave upper element, which comprises one streamlined piece with a slightly lower profile and softer ridgelines than the original design.
• The trademarked Concave upper element has been modified by replacing the TPU with a memory foam-like material that is sufficiently dense to serve its design purpose yet more flexible for improved performance and comfort.
• Weight reduction, achieved primarily through a change of material in the Concave upper element.
• Comfort improvements, particularly to relieve pressure on toe joints.

Fully kitted out in Concave apparel,  it was time to set aside the hype and controversy surrounding the boots technology and take a look at Concave’s newest creation.

Supplied with a pair of seemingly in-style back-to-black football boots, my initial impression of the design was good. The football boots definitely offer a bold, distinct look that distinguishes itself from other football boots on the market. Concave seem to have mixed the futuristic design with a traditional colourway, making for a clean looking boot.

Comfort/Fit

Just as the previous models, these boots have a glove like fit. The insole remains unchanged and is removable featuring a gel insert in the heel. No pressure can be felt from the studs on the foot and the insole provides spring and cushioning to your step making up for its weight. Concave definitely removed a few grams from the new design, a welcome improvement.

Another improvement was the integration of the “sweet spot” into the upper, making for a seamless flow and a much better fit. On the previous model, the PT-1, pressure could be felt on the toes where the “sweet spot” attached to the upper. This problem was resolved as well with the new design relieving any pressure felt from the Concave element on the original model.

Durability 

Having worn the football boots for two weeks and in multiple training sessions and games, they appear to be holding up well. The printed logo has taken a few scratches but the aesthetics are still unscathed, bright, and bold. The only potential problem I can see is the material peeling away from the underside of the “sweetspot”. Besides that, if they are like the original PT-1 you can expect to get a solid 8 months out of the boots before any noticeable wear-and-tear.

Touch

The k-leather was extremely smooth and supple, a huge improvement from the treatment of the Concave PT+ ‘08 model that went unreleased. To be honest its a relief the ‘08 model wasn’t put on the market, as its leather had an unfinished look and feel to it. It was as if the leather hadn’t undergone any special treatments to soften and waterproof it. Concave sorted out that problem though with the ‘09 model as the quality of the leather was exceptional. The material that covers the “sweetspot” extends over the toebox to support the design. I would have preferred an all-over k-leather but the synthetic still offers a good feel for the ball.

Technology

The Concave ’sweet spot’ underwent some reshaping making for a much better fit than the original. The Concave element is shorter and thinner, with less drastic curves, feeling far less bulky. To provide the same power from the ’sweetspot’ the material is far denser with a visible ribbed design. For those who think they’ll hit the ball with the power of Roberto Carlos or Cristiano Ronaldo with the help of these boots alone, I can assure you otherwise. That takes hours of time on the pitch and in the weights room. Despite that you do definitely feel a sting to your shot and get the feeling you can hit a cross field ball like ‘Scholesy’. And for those quick to bash the design by pointing out how the ball will be more likely to shank off the ’sweet spot’ than a regular football boot, that’s not the case. The ’sweetspot’ dually serves its purpose well as the MetaGuard offering unsurpassed protection of the foot.

Room for Improvement

While the tongue still proves difficult to tuck under the Concave element, I think the solution could be found in a lace-less design. The fit is already very snug, so I believe a lace-less design could be another attractive feature for the boot. Shaving off a few more grams from the soleplate and redesigning the heel-counter would also prove a winning move.

**Update**

Having spoken with Concave Sports, Footy-Boots has been informed that the tongue on the commercially available product will be a regular tongue. Footy-Boots was supplied with a prototype version, of which the tongue problem had yet to have been fixed.

Conclusion

Concave have followed up their original model released back in 2008 with a much more finished product. They put in a lot of hard work to fix the flaws of the previous boot and it is definitely evident. Though the ’sweetspot’ is a bit awkward at first and takes some time getting used to, it serves its purpose well. The Concave PT+ ‘09 sets the bar for Concave from this point forward and I hope to see the company continue to grow and make such improvements with each new release.

Review by Matt Dawson

Footy Boots would like to thank Concave for supplying us with their product to exclusively test ahead of release. 

We’ve been lucky enough to see some truly exceptional images over the past couple of days thanks to Nike following the release of the new Superfly and Vapor V. Now here’s a chance to see some more.

Concave PT+ Black / White

Concave may not have Nike’s clout in the football boot market but the company sure does punch above its weight, creating headlines and debate in equal measure.

Now Concave has released details of its new line to be introduced this autumn which they insist will give players at all levels the ability to increase their ball striking skills – in the areas of power, accuracy and control – while also protecting against foot injuries.

Whilst opinion remains split on the apperance of the boot (though the new range is a huge improvement on the originals) it’s clear that Concave boots offer an entirely new concept in footwear. 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.

Concave PT+ sweet spot

Aside from the larger sweet spot – which is the most visible departure from other boot designs – there are additional important features engineered into Concave boots.

Below the concave upper are two technologies built in to help protect the feet, which is welcome news to players of all levels and parents who are outfitting their youngsters.

Concave Shank Balance Stabilizer: (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: 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.

Safety and protection form a huge part of Concave’s thinking

The product development process and testing have set the stage for the upcoming launch at selected football and specialty athletic stores in the UK, Ireland and North America beginning this autumn.

Tied into the retail launch, the brand will engage in a wide range of grass roots marketing initiatives mostly focused on demonstrating the performance advantages of Concave boots to developing players in their natural playing and learning environments, including football camps, academies, amateur and school leagues, and various types of tournaments.

Other affiliations are being formed with professional players, including at the premier level, who, we are told, are increasingly being drawn to wearing Concave boots.

Through these experiences, Concave say they are compiling a wealth of candid appraisals of the new boots in terms of comfort, performance, style, and any other characteristics players feel are noteworthy.

Concave makes most of its soccer boots available in a variety of outsole configurations, including soft ground, firm ground, hard ground with blades, and a traditional rounded mold.

The Concave family of footwear includes:

PT+ - This premier boot will be available in very limited offerings. All of Concave’s exclusive technologies are available in this boot with kangaroo leather upper.

PT 1 – Offering uncompromising performance, the PT1 is a full grain leather boot designed for top players.  It incorporates the highest quality materials and craftsmanship as well as all of Concave’s unique patented technologies.

PT Midi – Technology and value, the PT Midi is a premium quality boot incorporating all of Concave’s features while delivering high value to serious players.

PT Mini – Concave’s children’s line, with a synthetic micro-fiber upper, features the Concave Sweet Spot and MetaGaurd technology to help improve performance while protecting youth and junior players from injury.

Concave PT Mini in Varsity Blue

PT Dome – The same patented technologies available for the outdoor game are available on an indoor shoe. The PT Dome is suited for indoor play and its unique 3-part sole contributes to maximum comfort and traction control.

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Most of the larger boot brands will often boast that they’ve had the consultation of the biggest names in football in developing their new boots.  The paying public is told why a football boot is made for a particular player or players and, should you buy it, why it will make you play like them.

However, I’m sure I’m not the only one who watches some players and thinks one of two things;

1. That the football boot they’re wearing really is perfect for the player, or

2. That there’s another football boot out there that they really should be playing in.

Starting the list of players in the former category, Theo Walcott is the very definition of the values of the Mercurial Vapor line; a low-profile, sleek unit built with only speed in mind. Both the Vapor and Walcott might not have the best touch and accuracy around but I don’t think that bothers their fans - it’s all about reaching top speed as fast as possible and leaving the opposition wondering what just happened.

Theo Walcott’s Vapor IV

Next is a player that’s been the flagship of his football boot since it’s first incarnation: Wayne Rooney and his Nike Total 90 Lasers. For clarification, I’m not talking about the sleek Air Zoom Total 90’s- famously favoured by Luis Figo - I’m talking about the Lasers; tuned for power and accuracy, a real heavy hitter who’s courted a fair share of controversy; that doesn’t care too much about being the first to the ball, more about taking the rough and tumble and powering the shot to where it needs to to be. All of that could be said of both the player and the boot.

As a player who’s career has had to be reinvented so many times  the perfect match for the Adidas F50’s has to be France and Sunderland’s Djibril Cisse. As Cisse played through his Liverpool career he opted for the first incarnation of the F50. Following his horrific leg break and loan move to Olympic Marseille, Cisse found a his boots, too, were undergoing a revision - now branded as TUNiT’s. Now, both the football boot and the player are notorious for their capabilities for speed, clean strike of the ball and last but not least their outrageously customisable uppers.

Cisse prefers them red, but here’s the latest F50 from Adidas, the Rome

Now for more comparisons, but this time football boots and players who, barring lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals, would share a special kinship with some of the boots on the market today.

Paul Scholes is, to me, a pair of Umbro Speciali’s. Both are now stalwarts in their respective fields, and whilst certainly might not be to everyone’s taste, command a huge level of respect from their peers. Scholes is a player who has witnessed some of the best talent in football come and go around him and, despite the old addage about old dogs and new tricks, has taken little touches and pieces of play from his peers and added them to his game. Much in the same way that Umbro has seen many ideas from the bigger companies being implemented to their products, and quietly tweaked and refined their forgotten flagship into a classic boot with modern touches, continuing to be some of the best in their class.

The Umbro Speciali

Looking across the Manchester United midfield is the illustrious Cristiano Ronaldo. The ‘Best Ronaldo of All Time‘ has a long standing love of the Nike Mercurial line, which dates back to when they were known by most as the ‘R9’s (a bit fateful given the recent results of a certain poll), so I’m sure I’m going to stir up some controversy by comparing the Portuguese winger to a pair of Concave PT-1’s. Over the last 18 months both have caused massive divide in the football world, moreso than perhaps any other player or boot. Whilst plenty won’t buy into the hype of either, there’s many out there who have no qualms about tipping their hats to someone who’s trying to do something a little different, be it stepovers or hunks of plastic. Coincidently, Concave are launching a new all-white colourway in time for the summer and rumours will inevitably suggest the Cristiano will be doing the same!

Cristiano Ronaldo is actually a Concave boot -surely you can see the resemblance?

Now, simply because I don’t want to the the only Footy Boots writer to not have any say on the Nike Mercurial Superfly, I present Michael Owen - the human Superfly. A hefty investment as the most expensive boot on the marketplace and the best paid player in the Premier League; It would seem both share a risk of potentially ruining themselves after a minimal amount of time on the pitch. Should that risk pay off, however, the opposition will find themselves with a tricky, speedy handful with only one objective in mind.

There’s plenty more comparisons out there and I’d love it if you’d drop a comment with some of your ideas - I honestly never knew the Footy Boots community was so massive until I saw nearly 5,000 votes in the recent Ronaldo poll!

So get involved and have your say on not just this, but all of Andy, Alan, Omar, Matt and James’ articles!

In an exclusive interview with Footy Boots which you can read in full next week, Simon Skirrow, the boss of Nomis, says that the interaction he has and the feedback he receives from amateur players far outweighs the need to spend vast sums of money in securing professional player endorsements.

His approach, like a number of other ‘smaller’ brands may be based on ‘the bottom line’ but it does throw up an interesting point in terms of marketing strategies - what works, what doesn’t, what’s worth paying out the big bucks for and what isn’t.

It also begs the question; can the personally owned football brand make it on the big stage?

With Skirrow, the marketing plan seems to revolve around innovation. Create a product that no-one else can match and let the boots themselves to the talking. Nomis go big on comfort, safety and performance and as you’ll discover in the interview, Skirrow passionately believes that his boots are the best on the market. Add in a sprinkling of technical innovation too such as nomud, Dual Control and most recently, customised digital design as shown on the NXGEN Spark, it’s clear that Nomis are continuing a well trodden and successful path.

Nomis NXGEN Spark

And it’s not as if Skirrow hasn’t experienced the other side of the coin. As a big wig at Adidas and co-creator of the Predator, he’s seen how the big boys work and, probably more to the point these days, he knows just how much that can cost.

Meanwhile, as a newcomer in the market place, it was always unlikely that Concave would sign up masses of pro’s from day one.

Instead, as they explain in their exclusive Footy Boots blog, they went with a limited release of the PT1 which will be followed up this year by the all new kangaroo leather PT+, a mid range of boots and at least 2 new colourways. Plus, a la Skirrow, they’ve kept a keen eye on customer feedback and made some minor adjustments to the existing range as well as sending our replacement boots to any users who had problems.

Concave PT+

They also had to endure a pretty rough ride from the boot ‘experts’ who questioned, and to some extent still are questioning, the fundamental technology of the Concave boot with its enlarged sweet spot.

However, as can be seen from the new range, Concave are sticking to their guns and are still happy with their 4 pillars of performance; improved accuracy, power, protection and control.

How these two brands will fare in 2009 and beyond is of course anyone’s guess, but in a world where mass volume is understandably king, where celebrity endorsements create a seemingly unquestioning following and where large wedges of cash can sometimes be used to paper over the cracks, it’s refreshing that Nomis and Concave are out there fighting.

Read Simon Skirrow’s exclusive 2 part Footy Boots interview next week.

Hello Friends and Fellow Footballers…

We’ve responded to hundreds of email enquiries from folks eager to hear what’s next with Concave.  Here’s a quick glimpse.

Following its limited introduction in the UK last August, the revolutionary Concave football boot became another of those legendary “overnight” successes that have been years in the making.

By limited introduction we mean one model boot (PT 1), in one colourway (black, red, silver), through one exclusive retailer (JJB Sports).

It was kind of like a premier gourmet chef staging a private sampling to showcase his most delectable culinary creation.   But the limited rollout did herald the dawn of what many believe will be a new era for football – with higher performance standards universally and who-knows-how-many fewer metatarsal cripplings.

Concave Sports 2009

Now there’s plenty new to look forward to in ’09.  First, in the spring, a transition period from the single PT 1 calf leather model:

• Introduction of the PT + kangaroo leather model

• Addition of mid-range and entry level models

• Addition of round moulded cleat outsole (to complement screw-in studs and blades)

• New colourways, including black & white combinations

These football boots will be stocked by an expanding number of retail outlets in the UK, Ireland and North America, elsewhere as mentioned below, and also in several online stores.

Later in the year, around the end of summer, Concave will release a full range of boots,  adding indoor flats and junior and kids sizes (10-5) to the adult line-up.  Some key features of the newer line will include:

• A fully integrated concave upper element, which comprises one streamlined piece with a slightly lower profile and softer ridgelines than the original design

• The trademarked Concave upper element has been modified by replacing the TPU with a memory foam-like material that is sufficiently dense to serve its design purpose yet more flexible for improved performance and comfort

• Weight reduction, achieved primarily through a change of material in the Concave upper element

• Comfort improvements, particularly to relieve pressure on toe joints

One thing that does not and will not change is the boot’s functionality.  Extreme care is taken to maintain the integrity of the “four pillars” of Concave performance:  improved accuracy, power, protection and control derived from a sweet spot that is four times larger than standard football boots.

There was, however, one pesky design feature that had to be corrected.  It didn’t reveal itself during extensive wear tests but shortly after rollout we learned that the plastic eyelets in the lacing system were occasionally snapping off.  The few customers who experienced this failure received replacement boots.  Plus the eyelets have been converted to standard lace holes, thus eliminating the problem.

Meanwhile, Concave is moving ahead aggressively to expand its market presence so the boots will be more readily obtainable in line with demand.  In addition to expanding the  distribution within the UK and North America, distributors are currently establishing channels in Germany, Austria, several Eastern European countries, Greece, the Middle East, South Africa and Australia.

Don’t be shy about visiting us at www.concave.com, we’ll be working hard to keep it lively and informative.

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The entries are in, the lines are closed, the judges have consulted and we have a winner.

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been asking you to come up with your best Xmas card greetings for a player or manager of your choice with a pair of Concave PT1 football boots, signed by Kenny Dalglish, the prize for the winner.

Entries poured in from around the globe some funny, some harsh and some just plain insulting! And after a hard session of judging, it came down to a short list of two.

Our runner up is James Aylward who came up with this gem:

Dear Didier Drogba

Thanks so much for the early Christmas present of 10p. It was a novel idea getting it to me during the Burnley match, however it didn’t pay off as I have had to get reconstructive surgery to correct the damage done. Next time, please send it through the post rather than through the air. On a lighter note, I contributed the 10p towards this greetings card to let you know.

Merry Christmas!

James

But our winner was this seasonal effort from Elliot Newman who wrote:

Dear Sir Alex

Rudolph is not feeling well so I was hoping we could use your red nose to guide my sleigh tonight.

Do let me know when you can.

Regards

Santa

Congratulations Elliot, a brand new, signed pair of Concaves will be with you soon.

Whilst you are doubtless looking forward to receiving your Christmas presents, including the obligatory socks and scarf combo from Auntie (insert name here), here’s something that will really brighten up your Festive period.

We’re giving you a chance to win a fabulous Christmas present for yourself or a friend – a pair of Concave PT-1 football boots, signed by Liverpool and Celtic legend and Concave ambassador Kenny Dalglish.

Concave boots have certainly created a ton of interest since they were exclusively revealed by Footy Boots and subsequently launched in the UK market earlier this year. Opinion, and there’s been a whole heap of it, has been divided between lovers of the boot and others who say that the new design offers little and will never catch on.

So why not find out for yourself?

Entering our competition couldn’t be easier.

We are looking for you to come up with the funniest Christmas card greeting to the professional player or manager of your choice. Extra marks will be considered for originality, creativity, comedic content and possibly, insulting (but cleanish) banter.

For example, something along the lines of:

Dear Joe Kinnear

Wishing you a merry f*****g Xmas and a f*****g happy f*****g new year.

F*****g Best Wishes

All the boys in the NUFC press box.

The player or manager concerned can be plying his trade in any league, though it’s probably not going to be worth your while going for the left back at some obscure side in Ukraine as we’ll have probably never heard of him.

The Footy Boots judging panel has already been assembled and can’t wait to start reading through your entries.

Just use the ‘comment’ facility below to submit your greeting which must be with us before 5pm UK time on 19th December 2008. We’ll publish the winning entry as well as sending the author a brand new pair of Concave’s.

Good Luck.

Concave invited Footy Boots behind the scenes to watch the filming of their new grassroots video. With a chance to see the Concave football boots in a natural environment, we took them up on their offer.

Concave chose a local football team to feature in their video, a club called Riseley Sports, who play in the Bedfordshire Premier League, UK.

We arrived on location to be welcomed with grey sky and drizzle, typical!

True to their word, Concave had not arranged any special conditions, this video was being filmed on a village playing field and the players were a selection of lads from Riseley’s squad.

The film crew were well prepared by the time we arrived as they wanted to record the lads turning up at the playing field, which they duly did.

The players had a quick knock up in their existing gear before their coach handed out the new Concave football boots. It was obvious that the players had not seen them before and they were all interested in the unique upper component.

Once the lads had the football boots on, it seemed like they wanted to take some anger out on the ball. Many of the players were smacking the ball as hard as they could, something the Concave boys explained always happens when a player first gets in a Concave. Once they settled down and stopped trying to send the football into Orbit, the players started to enjoy themselves, at the goalkeepers expense.

Concave wanted the lads to test the Power and Accuracy of the football boots. Remember, Concave independent tests say that accuracy is improved by 30% and power by 15%.

For the lads to feel the power of the football boots, footballs were placed at various lengths away from the goal and the players shot at goal repeatedly. They were raining shots at the goal and we could only feel sorry for the keeper who was trying to keep the ball out of the net.

For the accuracy test, Concave attached an accuracy net to the top right hand corner of the goal. From a distance around 5 yards outside of the penalty area, the players were asked to hit the ball into the net. We were surprised by the results.

To see how the Riseley Sports players got on, watch the video…..

Visit the Concave website

For those wanting to get an insiders view on the new Concave Football Boots, look no further…..

Adam Henry is one of the lucky few to get his hands on a pair of the eagerly awaited Concave football boots. We caught up with Adam to get an in-depth review of his findings.

Initial Thoughts

The presentation of the football boots was good. The glue attaching the box together could have been stronger as, when the boots arrived; the box had fallen apart (which may have been down to a rough delivery). Also, the booklet and the shoe bag were nice touches.

When I tried on the football boots I was very pleased at the snug and comfortable fit. I walked around my house with the football boots unlaced and my only fear was that, due to the lining, I would develop blisters. My fear went away once I had laced them up and found the football boots to be very supportive. The lacing system makes the fit snug throughout the forefoot and I found the insole to be very springy which adds to the boots’ comfort. I hardly noticed the stud pressure from the blades which is a positive sign.

The only negatives that I could find with the Concave football boots are as follows:

1 The insole makes a “squeaking” sound when the wearer walks around (it rubs against the lining material) which could irritate some.

2 The tongue is hard to put underneath the lace-cover.

All-in-all, the football boot feels stable, comfortable, durable and protective. I find them to be attractive and the materials used are of good quality. The synthetic has a matte finish, which is different to any synthetic football boot that I’ve worn before, which hopefully suggests that the football won’t skid from the football boot as much in wet weather.

The leather isn’t too soft and doesn’t feel as if it will mould as well as the Kangaroo leather that brands like Nike and Adidas use but I think that the quality of the synthetic makes up for it. As the football boot is not fully leather, I don’t think that the quality of the leather is a big problem.

I was very shocked with the protection features of this football boot. The middle of the football boot feels extremely stable and the MetaGuard is amazing. To test the MetaGuard I stepped on my own foot and I couldn’t feel a thing, very impressive.  (more…)

The all new Concave football boots will be on the shelves for sale in the UK on 22nd August. The planned launch, which was to have taken place this week, has been pushed back so that Concave representatives can complete training for JJB sales staff. JJB has the exclusive store rights to Concave in the UK.

So, with a few extra days to play with and with all of the recent hype and interest in the football boot market revolving around the debut of the Concave football boots, us Geeks here at the Footy-Boots lab decided to give them a run out ourselves.

Aesthetics- 8/10

We now know Concave have a competent design team with an artistic side that created a unique look for the brand. The logo embodies what the brand is about through the concave surface with the football. The eye-catching, yet not too flashy, Black/Red/Silver colour combination will surely turn some heads on and off the football pitch. With some new colourways soon to be released, you can expect a breath of fresh air from Concave.

Value- 9/10

The football boot market these days is filled with over the top priced boots from a range of brands. The Concave PT-1’s retail price is £99.99 and could seem a bit steep, but when compared to the top of the line football boots from some other brands, the boots seem to be well priced for their quality.

Comfort- 9/10

The Concave PT-1’s are very snug and comfortable. The innovative new lacing system is fastened to the Concave sweetspot along with elastic that keeps the upper snug to your foot. The insole is removable and features a gel insert in the heel. During the stint of time we tested the football boots, no pressure was felt from the studs on the foot and the insole provided spring and cushioning. The football boots aren’t heavy, weighing about as much as the Nike Air Legend II’s.

Performance- 9/10

To test the function of the Concave football boots in a training situation, we performed many of the same tests that Perry Groves performed for us in his series of football boot tests. Running, juggling, dribbling, passing, shooting, and volleying were what we focused on. The lace-cover is great to wear, does exactly as intended and protects very well. When the ball is struck purely with these football boots on, you won’t find a more accurate and powerful shot produced by any other boot. Despite all of the questioning about whether the Concave element would inhibit a players dribbling and juggling ability, our testing showed quite the contrary. The area at the top of the football boot near the toe and directly to the sides provided sufficient room for the two skills. The Concave lace cover did not hamper the ability to hit the ball with the instep or outstep in order to produce spin on the ball either.

Durability- 10/10

For a newcomer in the football boot market, Concave seem to have it down when it comes to quality manufacturing. From our initial inspection, it was evident that the football boots were assembled well with all of the proper techniques. We have yet to see the boots after a long period of use, but expect that they will hold up well.

Technology- 10/10

Here at Footy-Boots, we don’t believe you could find a boot on the market with as much effort put into the technological side of the boots. The Research & Development department at Concave’s headquarters must have had their hands full designing the Concave sweetspot. With all of the tests scores showing high statistics, the Concave sweetspot might yet make a fool of some of some other brands gimmicks claiming to increase power and accuracy with its realistic and simple approach to the matter. The sweetspot provided exactly the technology that we were promised. That is, unparalleled protection of the metatarsal from the MetaGuard and a much bigger strikezone, to many keepers dismay. The Shank Balance Stabiliser provides support and reinforcement to the mid-foot area to help control balance between the front and rear of the foot.

Overall- 9.15 / 10

Overall the Concave PT-1 checked all of the boxes necessary to be ranked as a fantastic boot. With the right exposure and marketing, we see no reason why the Concave PT-1 won’t be competing against the big boys in next years Football Boots Awards.

Recommended For

These boots may not be exactly what you flamboyant tricksters are looking for, but for you strikers wanting that extra edge to your shot, playmakers wanting that extra bit of accuracy, or defenders in need of more protection you may want to consider Concave next time you are buying your boots. According to Concave’s Official Website there’s no doubt goalkeepers should be most worried about Concave technology. After all, their jobs have gotten a lot harder, now they’ll be facing faster, more accurate shots on goal. However there is good news. Concave boots provide additional distance (up to 10% extra) on your current goal kick with increased precision. In addition to that, the boots were worn by goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos of the A-League side, Melbourne Victory as official tester and guinea pig for the past two years.

Room For Improvement

With Concave being the new boy on the block in the football boot market, it looks like they’re in with a chance. This product didn’t come without any hard work mind you, it has been eight years in the making. Despite all of the research put into the boot, there are still some minor flaws as expected with every pair of football boots, no matter what the brand name. Us Geeks felt that the Concave sweetspot could have been moulded a little bit shorter in length and that a little weight taken off here and there wouldn’t hurt. We are anticipating great things from Concave now and in the future. We expect to see Concave gunning with the big boys.

Pre-Order

Click HERE to sign up to pre-order the Concave PT-1’s released August 22, 2008.

Price: £99
Availability: August 22, 2008
Colour: Black/Red/Silver
Sizes: 6-12

Visit the Concave website

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