Umbro are making a big statement to kick off 2015 with as they provide us with the one football boot we didn’t know we wanted; a Pink Speciali.
Officially the Umbro Speciali 4 – Pink Glo / Blue Atoll, this new release is very much against the grain for a boot which is traditionally…well…traditional.
That said, Umbro see the Speciali 4 as an old-meets-new concept, with the heritage design and materials worked using modern technologies to create a boot that feels classic on, but holds up to the rigours of modern play.
So, with that in mind, contrasting the classic silhouette of the Speciali with this bold Pink Glo / Blue Atoll colourway perhaps isn’t that big of a leap after all.
White branding and light blue trim skim along the pink upper of Umbro’s latest to create a football boot that doesn’t shirk the limelight on the pitch.
As for how it performs; well, the Umbro Speciali range has been amongst the most consistent top-performers in the world of football boots for decades now, and don’t expect that to change just because the colours have gone wild.
A k-leather forefoot portion provides exemplary touch and feel for the ball, worked through with quilted vamp stitching that prevents over-stretching whilst minimising break-in time.
Moving into the midfoot and the boot utilises a synthetic ‘Kangatouch’ leather’ that not only sheds weight, but improves waterproofing and allows the implementation of the A-Frame cradle.
What’s that all about? Well, the has been one of Umbro’s signature technologies since 2009. The theory is that by connecting the lacing system to the soleplate via channels in the upper, the boot can be pulled tighter, boosting comfort and maximising contact with the ball and ground thanks to the ‘lockdown’ effect this design brings.
Rest assured, this also works brilliantly in practise, too. The soleplate itself is one of Umbro’s best-implemented, with the conical FG studs in the forefoot allowing for free rotation under the knees when operating in tight spaces.
The channel under the forefoot provides bend and flex where it’s needed most, whilst the spine on the lateral side of the foot and bladed feel studs provide stability for both quick side-to-side motions and striking.
One player who might fancy these is Real Madrid’s Pepe, who is back in Umbro after a stint in Nike’s Tiempo. The combative stopper is likely to find them a great match for the Real Madrid kits, which feature a splash of pink on the home and away shirts this year.
But will you be joining him?
Let us know in the comments!
