Chewie’s hot or not list….
I love this time of year. Seeing tons and tons of new football/soccer products always puts a big fat smile on my face. Here is a rundown of what I like, and what I do not like so much so far this year:
Hot…
New Uhlsport line. I like the fact they are willing to do something a little different each year. I love the new roll finger model, and the inclusion of a NC glove.
Not…
Lanzera line fro Eurosport. The gloves are not that bad I suppose, but they are charging premium prices, for gloves that are generally unproven. I do respect the fact they do not want to put out a “budget” line, but do they really think if it comes down to choosing a Sells, Sondico, or Reusch FP glove, that I will choose a Lanzera for the same price, or above?
Hot…
Removable Finger Protection. I like the idea that if I have to use FP, I can use it on an as needed basis. Adidas, Uhlsport, Reusch, Sondico, Sells etc…All have removable FP. Some companies are apparently going the reverse direction (HO) which seems backwards to me.
Hot…
New nike and adidas lines. I think both have made strides this year with their line. By all accounts, the new nike spyne, and other gloves in the line are all improving. Adidas has made lots of progress this year with latex backhands, and removable protection.
Not…
Nike and Adidas lack of respect for the little guy. They refuse to work with clients who do not carry their entire product line, or have a brick an mortar store. Soccer is a very grass roots sport, but nike and adidas choose to ignore the small mom and pop operations that want to sell their goalkeeper equipment online, but do not want to order a insane amount of crap tops with the Beckham logo smattered all over it…Shame on the both of you.
Hot…
Mid priced all leather soccer boots. Tons of great options out there, some even with K leather that are under $75. Kelme, Puma, Umbro, Nike, Adidas…All have a great mid priced boot that will offer fantastic value for the money.
Not…
Insanely expensive boots. Nomis, Lotto, Hummel (amongst others), all have boots well over $250! Will they help your game, probably not, have people been buying them? Not really. Learn a lesson folks, when you start the season selling a boot for $300, and then 9 months later it is on sale at soccer.com for $89, your experiment probably did not work…Let it go already!
Hot…
Clothing available in hefty sizes! Ok, I need to lose weight, I know this…But damn it, if I want a XXXXL adidas shirt, and I now have the option J
Not…
Slim fit, ultra tight fitting shirts, pants, shorts, etc….Now I am not talking about the under armour type stuff, I am referring to the alarming trend of tight kits (kappa, althletica, diadora)…I have no desire to see this on any football player, especially in bright orange (I am looking at you Werder Bremen). Also, when I order an XXL in a Kappa shirt, it basically fits like a painted on lycra half shirt.
Hot…
Sells…In shops in Spain, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, etc….Great line, great management, and fantastic product development.
Not…
HO. It seems the new line did not do so well, and you see lots of folks trying to get rid of HO. Also seems like they have lost markets instead of expanding in them.
Well thats it, please feel free to curse at me!
Cheers,
Chewie
Posted
Jan 16 2007, 03:25 AM
by
ChewieGK1