Elite series place in the soccer market...

NIKE WC Elite Boots

With the introduction of elite boots by Nike and now adidas we have seen the price of boots increase. Furthermore, many of us Footy fans wonder why the increase in price, who is buying these boots, and why form an elite series/professional level boot is being available to public.

Adidas SL/Elite version of the adiPURE IV

The first answer to the price increase is the materials used but also with the boots weight is a major factor for consumers/players. Since the rise of the mercurial series boots have been dropping weight to what we now call the speed boot race. Over the years manufacturers/companies have put millions of dollars into testing and development to create the lightest boot on the market. It is called an elite boot because it is the top of the line, materials, weight, and not to mention it is what you see the professionals wearing. In the end, you are ultimately paying for the technology that went to produce the boots.

Furthermore, with these boots set at the prices they are at people keep wondering why make an elite boot, who is buying these boots? Well if you are an elite or serious soccer player in the world you want the best technology and the best boot money can buy. I have tested cheap boots in the past and compared to an elite boot there is no comparing. The comfort, fit, and performance enhance your ability on the field and are far superior then its knock down boot. Furthermore, equipment plays a major role in sports but in soccer specifically the boot you wear says a lot about you and your needs as a player in order to get the job done on the field. I personally believe there is a certain boot for everyone and that certain/perfect boot depends on your foot shape, the level of soccer you play, and position.

In the end, I believe football companies created another series/silo specifically focussing on the athletes needs and wants, that is why it is elite. However, through satisfying their needs companies like Nike and adidas have made a new silo which it geared towards the professionals or players that play at a high level that want the best money can buy. In this, by creating the elite series boots football companies were able to introduce a new silo/series to give consumers more options. The test subject were the elite boots Nike created for the world cup which were very successful and created a demand for elite boots because consumers saw those boots/specs and wanted the best money could buy, they did not care about the price point but rather cared who was wearing it, how much it weighed, and how cool it looked.

In my opinion, players/boots are categorized by four different categories;

Elite level- new market
Pro level
Club level
Intro level

Why do you think consumers are now buying the elite vs the pro level boots? Technology, fit, performance? I am interested in hearing other peoples opinions regarding the elite series of boots. Negatives, positives, etc.

Nike Vapor Superfly III

Keep in mind that these are just hand made samples, but from the looks of it Nike will stick with the same design  on the next release of the Superfly series. Besides a change in the color which is expected from Nike it looks like this boot will come in three different colors, include Nike sense studs, fly wire, carbon fiber out sole and teijin microfiber leather.


Changes/Profitability for Superfly III:

• Take away the Nike sense studs; great idea but poor execution. If the pros are not wearing it then there must be stud pressure, poor traction, etc.
• Make a leather/kanga lite version of the boot. Bring something different to the table.
• Put together a hybrid boot which consists of multiple vapors of the past. Have spoken with many elite players and some of the best vapors in the mercurial silo were the I, II, III version of the boot. 
• Make a hyrbid version of the vapor with the Tiempo lite series.
• Drop the price, the hype has faded and there is no longer a demand for a $400 boot. 

Nike Vapor VII

In the past couple of seasons/launches Nike has changed the Mercurial Series by offering unique colors like purple, pink and lime green to grab consumers attention.  However, but in terms of technology/appearance changes the boot has been very meek, and as a consumer I am ready for something new. I believe Nike has all the tools they need to make the next Vapor aka VII the best we have ever seen. For example, if Nike took a moment to look back in time at past Vapors they will find technology and styles that still appeal to Mercurial fans today. Why not take a step back down memory lane and combine a couple different vapors/technologies and form an elite Vapor that brings something new and fresh to the market.

However, i hate to inform you followers but from the looks of it Nike once again changed the color and that is about it. Some bloggers believe that with the Vapor VII, Nike took away the Nike skin/lace cover and brought it back to the straight lacing look i love. Never the less, I have seen two different pictures of the Vapor VII and each one is different.

Which boot/style would you prefer? Do you like the lace cover?