Puma last month released an innovative new boot called the EvoSPEED Fresh, equipped with heat-regulating technology. So it is all good, when the inevitable 40-degree weather comes to the UK for our annual summer-long heatwave, these Pumas will be here to help ensure we don’t overheat and spontaneously combust (we joke because it is the only way we don’t cry). Of course, we are joking. But if you are lucky enough to be playing football in a climate that manages to hit above 18 degrees and drizzle, these EvoSpeeds may be the ones for you. Here’s what we thought of them.
Name – 9/10
We love the name. I mean, who doesn’t want to wear something that’s literally fresh? The EvoSPEED portrays a cool image and is genuinely something that you want to wear on the pitch. Puma, we salute your choice of name.
Features – 6/10
So let’s get to the main feature immediately; the unique upper part of the boot. The upper is made from a mesh-like material. This keeps the boot light, enabling the player to be as quick on his feet as he can. The upper’s material also allows heat to escape from inside the boot, which is where the temperature regulation comes in. Little gaps in the material allows this to happen. However, the material at the same time does not let any moisture soak through and into the interior of the boot, so it is a two-in-one kind of job.
The upper is made from three separate layers, all with a different purpose. One is to protect vulnerable and vital areas around the foot, another is to allow the heat to pass out from the boot and the third is the exterior, which gives the boot its look and shape.
The soleplate is identical to the one used in the other EvoSPEED models. It is slightly flexible in that it will actually bend if it is called upon. The stud configuration is also recycled from the same range, which includes a mixture of metal and ‘moulds’ (plastic studs). There are ten studs in total, with the front four placed towards the front of the boot all being metal. The rear inside stud of the boot is also metal, but the opposite rear stud is plastic, along with the other middle four.
This gives the boot naturally more grip. It also helps the boot diversify to a range of surfaces, whether the grass pitch is wet, solid, skiddy, boggy… Take your pick.
Look – 9/10
Forgive us, we don’t have an imagination barrier. But the most fitting way we can describe the look of these sharp boots is simply fresh. Not meaning to get all ‘Gok Wan’ on you, but the light green bottom and lower part of the boot compliments the rest of the predominantly-blue exterior magnificently. The lower fades from the green to a light blue colour, and then on to a slightly darker blue at the top of the boot.
A white line plagues the outer part of the boot, and is the only downside in terms of looks that this boot has. It goes with the other colours, but it just seems slightly random and out of place. I guess, though, we should allow it. Even the best of us don’t look flawless 100% of the time… Apart from Andrea Pirlo. He seems to always look ridiculously cool, it is both impressive and annoying.
The notorious cat logo is printed subtly on the tongue, and yes we do indeed like this aspect to the boot’s look as well. It is noticeable enough to serve the purpose of letting people know that they are Pumas, but also not so blatant that it is as if they are trying to shove corporate capitalism down our throats.
We can think of few other boots that look like this unique design. It portrays a refreshing and aquatic feel, which is exactly what they were going for. To be honesty, they look great.
Style – 8/10
Similarly to a particular main competitor in the market at present, the Fresh seems to have a distinctive fit-type. The boots structure will undoubtedly favour those players who have narrow feet. From simply looking at it, you can see it seems rather thin, however the flexible and light inner material will allow for a little flexibility.
One of the reasons why this boot comes across as narrow-looking, is down to the lace format. The distance between the two lace holes (the width that the laces span across the top of the boot) is narrower than most boots. This limits, but significantly does not nullify, the effect that the laces have when coming into contact with the ball –such as first touch control. This motive is much like that of Adidas’ with their PureControl laceless boots.
The solid heel also rises slightly up the boot at the rear, meaning less vulnerable material is exposed. This is unique with many boots, as usually the solidarity in the heel would be limited to just the underside of the rear of the boot. As if we needed any, this is evidence of Puma’s fearless approach with design and proof that they will dare to be different.
Player advocates – 1/10
We could have put the old ‘N/A’ instead of a rating here, because as of yet, amazingly no major players are wearing the EvoSPEED Fresh boots. They are a very new release though, so we are sure that they will prove to be popular in a short while. At the moment, though, stars such as; Olivier Giroud, Sergio Aguero and Marco Reus have all sported Puma boots in the past, and so the new Fresh boots could be next on their lists.
Value for money – 7/10
Being a new release, you would forgive Puma for wanting to milk our wallets for all of our money, and label these boots with an expensive price tag. But fair play to the lads, they have priced the EvoSPEED Freshes at just £100. We say just in the context of the price of other boots in comparison, as opposed to saying that £100 is simply peasant money… I would do a lot of questionable things for 100 big ones…
The boots are not a ‘classic’ new release. Usually, a new release will be just an improved version of an already successful model, the company thus knowing that the response will be good and they can bump up the price. Puma, in this instance, have not played it safe, and that delve into the unknown may have been instrumental in affecting the seemingly-cheap price. But hey, we aren’t complaining!
Final verdict
The only negatives are that ironically, the boots are strictly not suitable for certain pitches that may absorb heat easily. Artificial pitches on a hot/sunny day, due to the rubber in the surface heating up, are not suitable for these boots, and they have even been known to break when playing in such circumstances.
Also, Puma have dedicated the majority of their time with this boot on the selling point of the temperature control. We would have maybe liked a bit more detail to be shown on the specific outer parts of the boot that are used when striking the ball. But then again, we should appreciate the boldness of what they have tried.
Although Puma have not concentrated this boot on improving certain aspects of your game specifically (touch or shooting etc.), the imaginative and alternative design will almost inadvertently ‘up’ some aspects of your play.
With the heat control and light material, the boot will be welcomingly comfortable. The stud configuration also ensures that the boot has stability. Consequently, you will feel secure in wearing the Pumas, and will have the confidence in them that you will be able to pull off a difficult pass which maybe you would not have contemplated attempting before.
We do not need to re-emphasise our delight at the look of this stunning model. The colour scheme was just done perfectly, and fits in very well with the ‘fresh’ image.
So why not be ambassadors for this revolutionary boot? Be a maverick. Be one of those players who can say, ‘I was one of the first to wear them’, and look damn-right dapper in the process.