The concave website is now live and shows the full range of boots.
http://www.concave.com
man, those top-end ones look very good! i'm guessing you can't order them anywhere, right?
the black, red ones are pretty much a copy of the original predator though
I know that JJB Sports will be carrying them in the UK.
You can also win a pair here ...
http://www.skysports.com/competitions/entry/0,20504,11061_1205,00.html
Thanks for that Jimmy. I might just have to check them out when I go to England in october
Wow. These are really interesting.
But I have to say that I think all these technological "advances" in footwear are total gimmicks.
You can wear the fanciest boots you want but in the end a boot like the copa mundial will do the same thing for you.
I don't know, that may not be true in this case. A big, firm kicking plate is going to transfer more energy to the ball than an ordinary boot, with its uneven and softer surfaces. The science behind this seems pretty sound to me.
shotblocker: Wow. These are really interesting. But I have to say that I think all these technological "advances" in footwear are total gimmicks. You can wear the fanciest boots you want but in the end a boot like the copa mundial will do the same thing for you.
Yes, but this is a gimmick on a whole new scale. Instead of hitting the ball with leather, you're hitting it with a solidified plastic case - you're getting an increased "sweet spot" surface area and an increase in power (a solid base transfering more energy than a flexible and slightly cushioning material like leather).
For example, the game of kickball (if you guys have such a game across the pond) is influenced by kicking technique, power, and footwear. Kicking that ball with a normal sneaker is not going to prove as effective as a hard boot with a tough plastic foundation. I hope this analogy makes sense... I just woke up.
justin07: I don't know, that may not be true in this case. A big, firm kicking plate is going to transfer more energy to the ball than an ordinary boot, with its uneven and softer surfaces. The science behind this seems pretty sound to me.
Well I'm sure that the science behind it is sound. But the true test of any feature is to see how many pros are willing to bet their game performance on this or whether any of the big name brands are going to try and copy it.
I don't see it catching on because there is more to controlling the ball than just having a sweet spot on the top of your boot. I think that it may hinder other types of touches and ultimately adversely affect a players handling of the ball.
The only feature that I see that makes sense is the lace cover flap that the vapors and adidas boots use.
Pros have shoe contracts with giant companies though, plus they don't really need this technology as their ballstriking is usually excellent. This is for players who want more power on their shots, more distance on their goal kicks.
You could be right about ball control, but then again a decent player would adjust to whatever feel differences there are. I think this idea deserves a chance.
justin07: Pros have shoe contracts with giant companies though, plus they don't really need this technology as their ballstriking is usually excellent. This is for players who want more power on their shots, more distance on their goal kicks. You could be right about ball control, but then again a decent player would adjust to whatever feel differences there are. I think this idea deserves a chance.
Don't get me wrong. The boots look sweet and I'm sure that the sweet spot technology probably works well. I would try them if I could.
But as far as it changing the face of soccer by revolutionizing the way boots are made, I think that is a stretch.
I'm sure some players would use them, just like some players now use the Nike Lasers and used the early model Adidas Predators.
I just think there is alot of emphasis on boot technology that is essentially unnecessary and actually detrimental to the development of players skill, just like finger protection is a hindrance to young goalkeepers learning how to catch probably.
The fact is that the most skilled players in the world grew up playing in the street with crap balls even sometimes barefoot.
Their mastery on the field is because they have spent every day NOT playing on a nice grass field with a nice ball and boots with advanced technology.
I would say that the top players in the world, Kaka, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and even Ronaldinho play with boots that at most have a flap that covers the laces and that is it.
I don't disagree with you there joe, but I think you are making general points that may not be relevant to this boot. If it in fact does help players strike a ball harder and further, then it's not a gimmick, it's a development, just as latex palms and screw in studs were developments. Again it's not something the top players in the world need, so it doesn't really matter whether Ronaldo uses them or not. In any case this boot and idea is brand new, so it's kinda like saying in 1974, "Gordon Banks doesn't use latex palmed gloves."
I agree of course that the marketing claims are hyped, but then that's how marketing works.
JJB Sports are now stocking the boots and are selling them across the 100 UK stores
Soccer AM/Youtube video about tthe Concave Boot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4brwkGiNuo
They are too expensive, but I like them. If they where a bit cheaper and if they came with some sort of traxion like the Adida tunit or Ulhsports boots did I would definitely get them.
a friends clothing site
From the look of the SoccerAM video, I would say they passed the test nicely. I think the passing and volleying, and also shooting (although to a less extent) should be the main focus for goalkeepers. These three tests highlight the better and larger surface to strike the ball. I am very excited to give these a go, but I will wait until I can try them on in person before I buy them. Hopefully by the time of my UK trip in December/January, the price will have fallen just a bit.
Liviu Bird