Wipe 'em down, lace 'em up and go again. It's Monday, it's Boot Spotting. We take a look back on the past week of football to pick the selection of boots that jumped out. From non-league to Premier League, from Brisbane to Bristol. Customs, limited editions, you know the drill...
Lucy Loomes (London Bees) Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3
Great name, great boot choice. Lucy Loomes taking full advantage of the women's Nike Hypervenom 3 as London Bees drew 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion this week. The women's colourway was launched at the same time as the men's "Electric Green/Hyper Orange" drop but has attracted strong player support across all levels of football.
Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) adidas Messi 16.1
RB Leipzig's Timo Werner is part of the 'Backed By Messi' campaign, so naturally switched into the latest signature boot of the Barcelona number 10. The 'Blue Blast' Messi edition will be on the feet of all ten players worldwide who were selected by Messi to wear his boots. Ten players who Messi feels have the potential to go all the way.
Nat Gutteridge (Durham) adidas Copa Gloro 17
The resurgence of the Copa series went next level last week as adidas mashed up the famous boot with their most modern heritage silo to create the Copa Gloro 17.2. The elasticated, fold-over tongue serving as the nostalgic kicker. Nat Gutteridge has wasted no time snagging a pair as she turned out in the white/black colourway for Durham at the weekend. Look at her face, pure comfort.
Troy Deeney (Watford) adidas X 16.1
PUMA do it officially, but players have upped the rate of mixing and matching colourways since colourways began to drop more frequently. Watford captain Troy Deeney became the latest player to don the split design as he wore the 'Red Limit' X 16.1 on his right foot and the 'Blue Blast' X 16.1 on his left as his side went down 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Jamie McLaren (Brisbane Roar) Puma evoSPEED 1.5
PUMA may have moved onto a 2017 generation of the evoSPEED but a colourway that they left behind on the 1.5 gen was a criminally under-worn design. The all white leather version of the boot had an ultra-clean feel and was worn by Brisbane Roar's Jamie McLaren as his brace earned his side a point against Melbourne City.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus) Nike Mercurial Superfly V
Paulo Dybala has slowly moved into a complete blackout design of the Nike Mercurial Superfly V. The Juventus man was wearing the in-line colourways right up to the 'Dark Lightning' pack, before switching into the darker Tech Craft edition and now into the complete stealth choice. Whether he's just taken a liking to the all-black design or his contract with Nike has come to a close remains to be seen.
Emma Beckett (London Bees) Nike Superfly Heritage iD
Nike's Mercurial Superfly Heritage iD series was one of the most disruptive releases of 2016. A celebration of true football boot greatness as the 1998 Mercurial R9 was brought back in an unprecedented way. Re-skinned as a Mercurial Superfly IV, the limited edition designs were released in four colourways. The "Silver/Black/Volt" option picked up and worn by Emma Beckett this week.
Alvaro Negredo (Middlesbrough) adidas X 16.1
Has Alvaro Negredo left the exit door swinging at New Balance? The Middlesbrough striker wasn't present as the brand launched their 2017 boot collection in London this week and he switched into a blackout boot as his side drew 0-0 with Everton at The Riverside on Saturday. The blackout boot isn't completely clear but it looks like Negredo has retuned to a previous brand by wearing the adidas X 16.1. Call us out on that, we're not 100% sure.
Mark Little (Bristol City) adidas X 15.1
Bristol City's Mark Little was sporting his own custom design as his side surrendered a 3-0 half time lead to escape Derby's Pride Park with a point on Saturday. Little's bespoke colourway comes in the form of an all red takeover on the previous adidas X 15.1 silo to match up with City's all red home kit.
Vincent Rufli (Dijon) Nike Magista Obra II
The new Hypervenom 3 may have been released in a lo-cut Flyknit design, but Dijon's Vincent Rufli will have a to remain patient to see if Nike aim to apply the technology to the Magista silo. Rufli has cut the Dynamic Fit Collar off the Magista Obra II to create a lo-cut silhouette that still retains the Flyknit feel – a method we've seen from numerous players. You can bet Nike are cooking up a solution somewhere behind closed doors.
