Tech Talk Video - Nike CTR360 Maestri III
In our latest visit to the home of Nike football boots, we sat down with Nike's product team to discuss the new CTR360. Redesigned to match the needs of the world's best midfield players, Nike's third generation Maestri takes ball control to the next level with new features including Nike's exclusive ACC technology.
This was a really fun product to work on. The beginning all started with midfielder's and we looked at the new masters of the midfield to really dig deep into what they need for their product. We landed on three things that we wanted to look at. The concept of half step ahead, controlling the ball and finally the concept of controlling the weather. 
"When we talk about half step ahead, we start with the outsole - a completely different and redesigned outsole. We wanted to bring a new stud traction pattern that was going to be able to allow the player to get in and out of the ground but also help amplify rotation. We know that the midfield player does more extreme rotations than any other position and we wanted to deliver a traction pattern that is going to do that." 
"When you talk about controlling the ball, it comes a lot to the material and the CTR has been amazing with the Kanga-Lite material. For the first time we're bringing the second generation Kanga-Lite material - Kanga-Lite 2. It's better in every single way. It's lighter, strong, thinner and it's more durable."
"The package on this product brings it a lot closer and a lot tighter fitting to the foot. We've adapted the lateral control zone so instead of having bulkier pads, we've made it super sleek and just used a nice texture to help with that control on the lateral outside." 
"For the receive and control pad, we've redesigned this as well. When you look at players different foot shapes and their arch heights, they're all very different. What this actually does now when it's broken up into strips like this is it's going to fit a variety of different foot types in the same way, meaning it's going to be great fitting."
"We wanted to ensure that we had ball contact time with the material and with the pass pads. We spaced it out so when the ball comes into contact you're getting a connection with material and the cast PU. We've also added little fins to help with that little extra ball control and dampening when you're receiving the ball." 
"We know that in football around the world that more often players are playing in wet weather than they are playing in dry weather. Players tell us that it's more difficult to control the ball in wet weather. So for the first time we're bringing our new Nike patented ACC technology which basically gives you the exact same level of tackiness on the ball whether it's dry or whether it's wet."
Let us know what you think of the Nike CTR360 Maestri III and if you're considering them as your next pair of football boots. To see our full feature, click here. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
