Puma v1.06 to v1.10 - Football Boots Vault
Since their introduction to the speed market back in 2005, the Puma v1 range has been responsible for some of the most uniquely coloured and constructed boots on the market, so for a special Boot Vault feature we've assembled a v1 timeline...
There are few football boots on the market that seems quite so comfortable using innovative new materials, and despite every incarnation from the v1.06 through to the current v1.10's looking very different, there's definitely a personality about the v1 boots that let's you know they're from the same family. 
Setting out a statement of intent, Puma released the v1.06 football boots in the unseen green (unfortunately not every pair came with Pele's autograph!), and they were a revolution in speed boots. A micro-fibre upper with a lace-wrap system gave an unbelievably comfortable fit with great ball feel, and a low profile outsole made you feel like you were running bare-footed on the pitch! 
As great as the v1.06's were, their downside was they weren't the most durable football boots. So for the v1.08, Puma added a bit more structure with a new synthetic material, whilst retaining the popular micro-fibre upper. Another innovation for the Puma v1.08 football boots was to split the outsole into two separate zones, thus minimising the weight of the boots and adding support to the mid foot and the medial arch. 
Next up for the Puma v1 range was one of the greatest collaborations in football boots history - the special edition Puma v1.815 Ferrari boot. Released in 2009, Puma spent over two years creating and crafting the v1.815, and it was worth it, when they released the boots weighing an incredible 165g and sporting a water-repellent upper in Ferrari red and gold.
The Ferrari football boots were quite an act to follow, so how could Puma trump such a collaboration...by teaming up with the fastest man on the planet - Usain Bolt - of course!! Bolt has been used to market the v1.10 football boots, which are quite different looking to the original v1.06's. The new synthetic upper has been designed to imitate a thin leather, and more radically a lace-cover has been introduced. A speedy outsole remains though, now enhanced with carbon fibre embedded into the forefoot.
Overall, the Puma v1 range has been responsible for bringing us some of the most unique football boots to be designed and coloured! Putting the eccentricity aside, Puma have shown they are not shy to innovate, and looking at every single incarnation you can see the development and engineering that has gone into crafting the Puma v1 football boots.
Stay tuned to the SoccerBible as we reveal even more soccer cleats from the Boot Vault, showcasing the best retro, classic and once forgotten boots and bringing them back to life! As always we'd love to hear your opinions by joining the conversations with the SoccerBible community online.
