|
|
|
|
The last time I got a new pair of soccer cleats I tore my left ACL half an hour into the first match in which I used them. So after some trepidation and a karmic gut-check I went out in search of grass in Manhattan upon which to trudge and test Nomis' football boots (henceforth "soccer/cleats" shall be referred to as "football/boots"). Finding grass to play on in Manhattan is not a straightforward proposition - Central park pick-ups games don't allow studs and most soccer fields use artificial turf. Eventually I made my way to the western extremity of the island to Riverbank State Park on the Hudson and discovered a large uneven muddy patch. Not much unlike Wigan Athletic's pitch.
After consulting podiatrists, players and coaches Nomis determined that there exists too much of an emphasis on making boots light, which compromises safety, specifically the 5th metatarsal in your foot (see injuries to Beckham/Rooney/Gerrard/Cole just to name a few England internationals). I can't imagine what one would have to gain in making the boot slightly lighter, as these boots are already very light. Apparently the gain for Nomis users is a redesigned soleplate that improves the rotational movement of the foot, and changed placement of the studs which removes pressure from key/injury-prone metatarsals, which in turn relieves the ankles and knees of stress. All very reassuring.
A combination of kangaroo and "bovine" leathers are used in the midsoles and outsoles to aid in achieving the divine state of "Wet Control." This has nothing to do with your bladder. Wet Control=increased ball grip in wet conditions. So much so that when running at pace (well, 3/5 pace) with the ball I partially stepped on the ball because of the grip. That's a good thing.
The boot also employs nomud technology, which aids in reducing the amount of mud (no-mud, geddit?) and dirt that accumulates on the boot during the course of play. If you're Kevin Muscat the technology unburdens your boot of your opponents' blood that may accumulate while you're still on the pitch. After stomping around in the mud for a good while I was surprised to see how much of the actual studs were still exposed. End result - far less displacement of the pitch via the bottom of your boot.
The grip came in very handy when practicing freekicks and penalties against an imaginary Edwin Van Der Saar. Both in-step curlers and outside of the boot blasts did what I wanted them to do - every kick went in and William Gallas had me on his shoulders by the end of the freekick session.
I didn't feel the studs when jumping up and down as one usually does with football boots. The tongue is totally unobtrusive, and the laceholes smartly placed. I didn't have to waste time adjusting the boots - they felt great from the moment I put them on, neither too tight nor too loose. In short, the boot does a great job of getting right to business.
Here's an amusing video from Nomis called Damn Boots Apparently your boots are connected to... everything. |
|
|
|
|
|
|