Puma v1.10 SL Play Test
When a couple of pairs of the Puma v1.10 SL football boots arrived at SoccerBible HQ, there was a Usain Bolt-like dash across the office to be the first to Play Test the world's lightest football boot!
It's the play test we've all been waiting for - to find out how the new Puma v1.10 SL football boots perform, whether they can really match or even surpass the performance of speed stalwarts the Nike Vapor Superfly and the adidas F50 adiZero.
As the SoccerBible collective gathered at the local football club's training ground, we opened the boxes to unveil the lightest football boots in the world, handing them to the fortunate players chosen for the play test. Immediate observations are that the Puma v1.10 SL doesn't really come across as a football boot. It's lightweight, soft and clean upper is more reminiscent of a street trainer - great news for comfort, yet raising questions over performance
Judging the aesthetics and visual impact of the Puma v1.10 SL football boots is quite a tricky task, as quite naturally it's down to personal opinion. The white/blue colourway is certainly clean and classy looking, making these speed boots really stand-out on the pitch. However, our slight reservation over the boot's styling, is whether it fully does justice to the £185 price tag.
As an envious crowd watched our players put on their boots, we witnessed their faces light up in awe of the boot. The Puma v1.10 SL football boots feel unbelievably light when on, and the soft upper provides a very snug fit. It was noted that the v1.10 SL has a narrow last at the instep, which was something we would monitor as the play test progressed, would this mean a breaking-in period?
Now armed with the world's lightest football boots, our players were unstoppable and were off around the pitch in a childish frenzy both sprinting and kicking the ball. But with a serious ball test to conduct, our play testers were reined in so we could get find out what ball touch and feel the Puma v1.10 SL soccer shoes provided.
As the upper material is so soft and the fit so snug, the boot very quickly forms to the wearer's foot. This provides an excellent ball touch and feel, further enhanced by the one-piece upper which means the same ball feel can be enjoyed on the instep, outstep, toe and lace area. This fit also dispelled any fears we had over a breaking-in period as these boots can be worn straight from the box.
As the Puma v1.10 SL was designed and constructed as a lightweight boot for speed, it was now time to find out how they performed in acceleration and traction. We're aware that player speed is down to the individual, however it can be complimented by the right footwear.
Our play testers were put through their paces on a freshly watered pitch with quite long grass. Both players agreed that the boot felt so ridiculously lightweight and almost non-existant that you really feel on your toes all the time. The heel counter provided adequate support, and during the turns and off the spot, neither player lost their footing thanks to the sole-plate which is based on the tried and tested v1.10 plate.
Speed boots always throw up an interesting trade-off, with players seemingly having to sacrifice power for speed. Unfortunately this is again the case with the Puma v1.10 SL, as the boot doesn't give you additional power. Every strike and long pass needs to be purposeful as the boot will be unforgiving if you don't put enough power behind your strike. That said, the upper does provide a lovely strike and connection with the ball thanks to the cushioned upper.
After a decent session, which was turning our enthusiastic play tester's faces into a rosy red colour, we were keen to find out if the boots still felt comfortable. On both accounts we got a thumbs up, courtesy of the soft upper. This also threw up the issue of durability, and both players felt the Puma v1.10 SL football boots had a good seasons wear in them. However, beyond this we were unsure, because there seems a limited amount of over-zealous tackles the v1.10 SL could be involved in.
With a restless SoccerBible crowd keen to try the Puma v1.10 SL football boots for themselves, we wrapped our Play Test session up. The boots had received a thorough workout, testing for looks, fit, comfort, ball touch, ball feel, traction, acceleration and ball strike.
Bearing in mind the money spent on owning a pair of the Puma v1.10 SL football boots, and the fact they are designed purely as a speed boot, we were suitably impressed by the world's lightest football boots.
It undoubtedly feels like you are wearing a ridiculously lightweight boot when you put the Puma v1.10 SL on. The upper finds a nice balance between the rigid upper of the Superfly and the thin upper of the adiZero, and is soft and comfortable. You get great ball touch and feel, and despite a slightly narrow last, the boot is very comfortable courtesy of the soft upper forming to your feet. All of which is complimented by the outsole, which responds to player movements.
It had been a little while coming, but judging by the grins on our play testers faces and their reluctance to part with the boots, the Puma v1.10 SL was definitely worth the wait!
