Puma PowerCat 1.12 Product Team Interview
SoccerBible recently caught up with the design team behind the new Puma PowerCat 1.12! With a new look, design and headline player, the re-energised PowerCat 1.12 is a significant step forward in Puma boot design. We chatted exclusively to Peter Stappen and the team responsible for Puma's latest innovation!
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SB: When did you first start working on the concept of the PowerCat 1.12?
Although Cesc Fabregas was already on our wish list at the time, the boot wasn t designed with him personally in mind, no. But it is of course designed for players who exhibit the same kind of performance characteristics on the pitch. We at PUMA are super excited that Cesc Fabregas will be wearing our PowerCat 1.12, a boot that he was extremely happy with while testing.
SB: Is there a definite position/style of play the boot has been designed to perform for?
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I wouldn t say that there is a definite position the boot has been designed and developed for. It is more about the style of play. The PowerCat 1.12 has been built for powerful players regardless of position who are looking for an impactful yet comfortable shoe.
SB: Did you use the PowerCat 1.10 as a starting point, or did you start with a blank canvas?
The PowerCat 1.12 is an evolution of the PowerCat 1.10. Hence we have analysed the strengths and weaknesses of its predecessor and have incorporated the results into the brief for the new boot.
Our target was to improve the fit, to simplify the construction and to reduce the weight. All those points have been accomplished thanks to the great efforts of the whole team. We wanted softness all around the shoe, so we had to consider the materials used in the collar line, tongue and stitching.
SB: In the design process do you focus solely on your own product, or is there an element of seeing what the competitors are doing?
These are basically two different things. What we see in the market has to some extent influence the brief of a new boot, but not the design itself. On the one hand side, it is part of my job as product manager to analyse what the competition is doing. You need to know what you are up against. That said, when it comes to the design process we focus our own unique design language. We are PUMA and confident enough in our knowledge and experience to do things our way. 
SB: How many prototypes have you seen in the development cycle?
During the product creation process we always go through various rounds of prototypes to review and test. Each step is important for the end result. In this case there were four different prototypes that were created before we got to the final version.
SB: Have you worked on the design/creation of other Puma football boots?
Yes, I am with PUMA since 2005, and have already been part of the creation of many PUMA football boots. The PowerCat 1.12 is definitely one of the best boots we have ever created. Being a member of the team that has worked on it makes me extremely proud.
SB: What players were involved in the play testing?
In the first testing phase we have tested the boots here in Germany with a lot of amateur players. As a second step we also tested the boot with professional players such as Nemanja Vidic, Mikel Arteta, Cesc Fabregas and many others. Their feedback is very important to the process. Some players were even so excited about the boots that they didn t want to give the test boots back to us (laughs).
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SB: Are there any developments or areas you can point to that have been led/inspired by a particular player?
SB: Designers innovate new products for players to perform better, but what percentage of a finished product would you say is player led compared to design inspiration?
We always develop boots with the players needs in mind. Our boots are the tools for professional athletes in the end. For performance shoes in general I am a strong believer in the principles of form follows function and no feature without a benefit . This means that sometimes design extravaganza has to fall by the wayside. |
SB: Does the shoe get tested in extreme conditions?
As extreme as it can get in Western Europe. Joking apart, we have also tested the boots on very dry and hard grounds in Japan. Our Japanese partners have very high standards when it comes to product testing and also they were happy with the PowerCat 1.12.
SB: How do you select the upper material, does it go through rigorous testing?
For our statement shoes like the PowerCat 1.12 we are only using high class materials such as K-Leather and high quality microfiber materials. All materials used on the product have to pass our performance standards, of course, whereas the testing is two-fold, first of all we are testing materials in the lab and then once lab tests are passed we do on-pitch testing.
SB: Did you have a colourway in mind when initially concepting the boot?
Yes, the launch colourway is linked to one of PUMA s strongest assets in our football portfolio which is the Italian national football team. That helped us to build a strong 360 aligned concept including apparel and accessories. 
SB: What one design feature would you point to and say you're most pleased with?
That would be the evolution of our PUMA 3D PST DUO technology device. The way our designers and developers have incorporated that device in the boot is just great. Exactly positioned where it is needed and in harmony with the overall design. Compared to the PowerCat 1.10 the technology device has been exposed to a greater extent to make it more tangible and understandable for the consumer. It offers an improved grip to the ball and has extremely high rebound properties.
SB: How far in advance are you working, are you currently working on the boots for 2012/13/14?
Well, I can already promise there are more exciting things to come from PUMA in the near future. Projects for 2012 are done, 2013 is in the pipeline and 2014 is already on the horizon. Football never ends.
SB: Were you a boot fan when you were younger, and is being a boot designer the dream job?
Definitely! I still have my first pair of football boots. Those were PUMA s by the way. When I look at them from time to time I think, wow, football boots have changed a lot over the years. Well, and my second thought is Am I really that old already ? (Laughs) To work now as a product manager for football shoes and being an active part in the creation of football boots is simply great. Yes, I really enjoy what I m doing.
SB: Do you play yourself, and have you worn the boots?
Yes, I do. Not in a club anymore but I play every week with colleagues from PUMA. Luckily I am blessed with sample size which means I can test our new boots myself. To test the fruits of your own work personally is obviously a big pleasure and certainly helps to know what you are talking about.
