Right, let's get this 2017 show on the road shall we? A heavy New Year's Eve hangover is to blame for the first Global Boot Spotting of the year arriving a day late, but better late than never, right? If 2016 was anything to go by, then we're in for another colossal twelve months of rapid releases. Here's the pick of the bunch from the past week of action...
Isaac Hayden (Newcastle) Puma evoSPEED 17.SL Leather
One of the final silo updates of 2016 came in the form of the PUMA evoSPEED 17.SL. A minimal update in design but a striking launch colourway that was adopted by all evoSPEED professional players over the Christmas period, including Newcastle United's Isaac Hayden, who was sporting the leather version of the speed boot.
Josh King (Bournemouth) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI
Josh King finished 2016 with a goal as he wrapped up Bournemouth's 3-0 New Year's Eve victory over lowly Swansea. King will be hoping for a boot contract in 2017 as the striker has blacked out the Swoosh on his Nike Mercurial Vapour XI boots to attract the attention of potential suitors.
David Buchanan (Northampton) Umbro Velocita 3
Another solid year of progression for Umbro saw them move into the new year with a third-generation Velocita. Fronted by West Ham's Michail Antonio, the Velocita 3 has also caught the eye of players all across the Football League, including Northampton's David Buchanan who wore them in his side's 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on New Year's Eve.
Kenny Miller (Rangers) adidas Gloro 16.1
Kenny Miller opened the scoring in the Old Firm clash on New Year's Eve as Rangers eventually went down 2-1 at home to Celtic. Still banging them at the ripe old age of 37 and 17 years after making his original Rangers debut, Miller was wearing the adidas Gloro 16.1 as he seeks a little more comfort in his veteran days.
Jermaine Hylton (Swindon) Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7
'Savage Beauty' kicked off the first chapter in the current CR7 series in October 2015. Taking its cues from Madeira, the volcanic Portuguese island where the player was born, the Mercurial Superfly featured a distinct design. Swindon's Jermaine Hylton failed to help his side erupt the away end at Stadium MK at full time as his side went down 3-2 to the MK Dons.
Vito Mannone (Sunderland) Concave Volt+
Vito Mannone replaced the injured Jordan Pickford between the Sunderland sticks on Monday as The Black Cats twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Liverpool at the Stadium of Light. Mannone was wearing the yellow edition of the Concave Volt+ as he marked his return to the starting eleven with an assured performance.
Caitlin Foord (Sydney FC) Nike Premier
The all-white Nike Tiempo Premier was one of December's hottest releases. The simplistic colourway was always nailed on to be a crowd-pleaser and has quickly began to find its way onto pitches worldwide. With the Premier a firm ground exclusive its been most notable in Australia, with Sydney FC's Caitlin Foord wearing them this week.
Chris Maguire (Oxford United) adidas X 15.1
Chris Maguire ensured he stood out as Oxford began 2017 with a 1-0 win at Gillingham. Wearing the "Shock Pink" colourway of the previous 15.1 edition of the X series, Maguire couldn't have picked a more daring design. If you've got the confidence to pull them off then fair play to you sir.
Alyssa Mautz (Perth Glory) Nike Marista Obra
Alyssa Mautz was also on that stand-out game this week by wearing the women's-exclusive crimson Nike Magista Obra boot. Launched in March last year ahead of the new-generation update, the colourway was part of a wider collection of women's specific releases from the Swoosh in 2016. Long may it continue.
Mahmoud Abdelmonem (Al-Ittihad) Nike Mercurial Vapor XV
In May 2013 Nike released 1,998 pairs of the limited edition Mercurial Vapor XV football boots, launched to commemorate 15 years of the Nike Mercurial and the player who inspired them – Mr R9. Only a handful of them have made their way onto the professional scene, with the latest spot coming via the feet of Al-Ittihad's Mahmoud Abdelmonem.
