Puma Powercat C 1.10 FG Football Boots Review
As this is the World Cup year, the major Soccer brands have to come up with a great line of boots that will stand out on the pitch in either the Heritage,Speed or Power boots catagorys. Puma have already established themselves in the speed category with the Puma V1.10 , but up until now they have not really captured the power cleat market, Nike now have the T90 Laser III , but Puma only had the V-Kon that never really took off. Well, all that could easily change now with their latest release; the Puma PowerCat 1.10 I have had a chance to try these boots on and to give you my honest opinion of what they are really like.
Sizing & Breaking In
I tried on a Uk size 8 in these and Unlike other Puma releases, these fit true to size. That for me is a big plus on what I have personally had to endure with prior Puma releases. It really didn’t take long for these to mold to the fit and shape of my foot.The PowerCAt boots are lightweight boot and felt good as soon as i put them on, Unlike the Puma King XL which needed breaking in.Puma are using a new anatomically shaped PowerLast that is an updated version of the AptoLast. The PowerLast provides additional volume to the forefront and instep of the foot. This allows the sole to follow the true contours of your foot and I have to admit that these create a real glove like fit.
Design
Puma have drifted away from the design of the V-Kon, and what a wise decision that will turn out to be! One of the biggest complaints I heard about the V-Kon was that it looked and felt bulky and even though it was a power boot it didnt have to feel so clumsy. This design looks sharper and the lime on black design really takes it to another level.
Puma have removed a lot of the protection seen on the V-Konstrukt football boots. The toe box is Full leather and raised at the frint so not the pointed toe like the V1.06 where it would Pull th eleather after a while away from the sole. One of my harshest criticisms in recent times was on the colors being used with new releases. You only have to think back a few months to the release of the intensely yellow Puma V1.10 as an example. Both of the initial Puma releases are simple yet stylish and they are not loud and brash; more of a cleat for the no-nonsense player. Another positive is the fact that Puma have gone with a K-Leather for this release of both colourways, The White/Azzure/Gold stands out and complements the Italy away Football kit that was launched on the same day.
Company Logo Placement
The first thing that you will notice is that Puma have gone away from the Classic Puma Form stripe along the side of the boot (Brave Move)Instead You will find two very strategically placed Puma’s on these football Boots. A textured Goldy-lime colored Puma sits on the inner heal of the boots, while the outside has a textured white one with a Gold trim. When you are wearing these on the field, both are pretty noticeable as well as you are drawn to the Cat and not a formstripe, above that they are easy to spot. On the white version of the boots, the inner Puma is gold while the outer is blue.
Technology
There are a few things of note that Puma have added to the PowerCat. First off is the new 3D Power Shooting Technology. This is the one part of the cleat that everyone asks about, the lime green stripes that run across the strike zone. Well, to feel, these are like little ridges that overlap across the front of the cleat. The official term is SpringTech foam ridges, and they are designed to increase shooting power while maintaining touch and feel on the ball. The benefit of having this technology is that it has high rebound properties that does not absorb the typical amount of energy on ball impact, meaning more power is released when you shoot. Is it effective? Well it certainly does seem like it serves its purpose. When you strike the ball, you don’t feel the full impact, instead it feels like there is a cushioned layer. The ball does feel like it pings, but I can’t be 100% that it actually adds more power. I like the concept a lot though. Instead of have a large power zone, the 3D Power shooting technology is very minimal and not too invasive.
Negatives
On a well designed boot its hard to find negatives,BUT if im going to be a little picky I would have to say on the FG version that the sole plate seams to be a bit of a Funny configeration with 6 studs on the heel, with the back 2 very far back not seeming to offer much to the boot.Stiched sole might have been an idea!
Final Thoughts
Puma had to come up with a good powerboot this season and credit to them the design is sweet, the technology is effective and the comfort is superb! I like that K leather has been incorperated into the boot and the 3D Power Shooting technology is a big step from the V-Konstrukt material from last year. If you are looking around the £130 mark for a pair of Power boots then I would say that you should at least try a pair on as the comfort really does hit you as soon as they are on your feet.
Who Will you see wearing them?
Nicolas Anelka - Chelsea & France
Micheal Carrick - Manchester United & England
Kevin Doyle - Wolves & Ireland
Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United & Serbia
| Puma PowerCat | Rating (out of 10) |
| Style |
9
|
| Performance |
8
|
| Comfort |
9
|
| Technology |
9
|
| Product Placement |
8
|
| Durability |
8
|
| Accuracy |
8.5
|
| Innovation |
9
|
| Support |
9
|
| Value |
7.5
|
| Overall Score: |
85
(out of 100) |
Puma Powercat Football Boots available now at Lovell Soccer
Posted by Lee
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Posted
on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Posted In Football Boots | Tags: Anelka, Carrick, Ireland, Laser, Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United & Serbia, Predator, Puma
Boot seems good, but what would you say it would like for people with orthotics?
Michael Carrick should definitely be heading to the World Cup after his form for United this year. Good luck to him and England - they’ll need it!