|
|
Post by jash on Dec 12, 2016 10:39:15 GMT -5
Soccerhouse's Christmas list got me wondering... what are your thoughts on lightweight cleats in general? My son won't wear anything but the classic Copas, and I'm way too old for these high-tech shoes, so I don't have any first-hand or second-hand knowledge of them. It seems like the big selling points are: - light weight means easier to move/faster
- thinner means better feel for the ball
And the downsides include: - expensive
- wear out very quickly
- significantly less protection for your feet from the studs of other players
I have to say, my own cynical opinion is that the light weight is one of those things that seems like it makes sense, but really doesn't for most players. When you compare the weight savings of perhaps 3-7 ounces against the total weight of the shoe, certainly it seems like a huge savings. But when you factor in the weight of the foot and the lower leg itself, it's fairly negligible. The cost per game (factoring in purchase price and durability) is quite high, and the additional risk of injury is real. The only factor I cannot adequately address is the feel for the ball due to the thinner material. Having said all that, there are other reasons you might choose the new high-tech shoes: - you like the style -- this is not irrelevant at all, though obviously has no impact on performance
- they make you feel faster and give you more confidence -- this is subjective, but sports are like that
- you are already at your absolute 100% peak of performance in every possible way, price is no object, and you are looking for any edge, and even a 0.1% improvement in performance would be worth trying
|
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Dec 12, 2016 10:52:13 GMT -5
Only thing I'll throw out there is --- Nike is very very good about taking back cleats when they "tear" and they will tear etc.
I think for us old timers is hard to switch to the fake leather shoes. For us it was copas and kangaroo leather diadoras.
I will say they are crazy crazy light! I've heard it both ways, kids trying to switch to copas and didn't like the feel with the ball compared to the modern day plastics/pleathers.
|
|
|
|
Post by spectator on Dec 12, 2016 11:25:12 GMT -5
My kid will only wear NIKE - they fit her best and she must be superstitious or something because she refuses to consider even trying on any other brand. She's not a big fan of the lightweight cleats either.
And thank goodness NIKE will take cleats back if they tear - that's my only gripe = either my kid is super hard on cleats or they are just made cheap because almost every pair has had a split or tear.
I'll throw one more topic out there - will your kid get the same pair of cleats as a teammate? I think for girls it's a big no no - we've had to look multiple places for some NIKE cleats that one of her teammates didn't have because GOD FORBID you have the same color cleat as so and so. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by jash on Dec 12, 2016 13:07:36 GMT -5
They are super light, and it is impressive until you think about the entire system. It's like picking up a standard tire which weighs maybe 20 pounds and comparing it to a super lightweight tire that only weighs 10 pounds. It would be a huge difference, and holding the tires it's clear which would be better for reducing weight on a car. But then you realize it's such a small difference to the entire car that it would only matter if you've literally done everything else you possibly can to make the car as fast as possible (i.e. build a race car) and you don't mind if the tires only last 1000 miles.
|
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Dec 12, 2016 13:22:14 GMT -5
The reality is it probably helps to train in heavier cleats and play in lighter ones.
I've never put on a pair of the modern day cleats, so don't have a good perspective and unfortunately most our kids are brain washed!
|
|
|
|
Post by soccerfan30 on Dec 12, 2016 17:32:38 GMT -5
I had the original Adidas Predators back in 1994, those shoes felt like bricks on your feet and I'm not exaggerating. I would guess the rubber "fins" alone weighed half a pound.
|
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Dec 12, 2016 18:33:33 GMT -5
I had the original Adidas Predators back in 1994, those shoes felt like bricks on your feet and I'm not exaggerating. I would guess the rubber "fins" alone weighed half a pound. And when those were soaking wet.. misery. |
|
|
|
Post by SoccerMom on Dec 13, 2016 12:04:02 GMT -5
The reality is it probably helps to train in heavier cleats and play in lighter ones. I've never put on a pair of the modern day cleats, so don't have a good perspective and unfortunately most our kids are brain washed! This would my kid, thats what she likes. She trains with her Adidas Mundial, which she loves and says are super comfortable but are heavier. She has her light cleats that she only wears for her games (Adidas Pure Chaos) and those are super light and she says they feel as if she has nothing on. The original pair did tear a little when she first started playing on them but Adidas replaced them immediately, haven't had any other problems since. |
|
|
|
Post by soccer9 on Dec 30, 2016 0:56:47 GMT -5
I think it is more on personal preference rather than performance. It used to be that the lighter shoes were targeted more for forwards and offensive midfielders because they needed the speed while the heavier ones where for defenders because they needed them to be stronger with all the hard tackles. I've used both the newer synthetic and the older leather ones. The difference I see is not so much the weight but the feel. The newer lighter ones, specifically synthetic ones are stiffer and it just takes time for you to get used to them. The heavier ones tend to be of leather or similar material which mold to your foot and therefore are, in my opinion, more comfortable.
|
|
