Adidas & Nike Launch Innovative New Boots

adidas and Nike have launched new boots sporting radical new designs as the brands build up to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer. A week after revealing the first knitted football boot, adidas has unveiled the first all-in-one knitted boot and sock hybrid, while Nike has created Flynit technology with a ‘second-skin’, ankle design. 

adidas’ limited edition Primeknit FS will be produced by in a black, white and red design, creating a ‘sock silhouette’ design that will also provide a second-skin feel from toe to calf. According to the brand the sock improves ball to foot touch compared to boots with traditional overlays, edges or laces.

Commenting on the unveiling of the boot, Markus Baumann, senior VP for global football at adidas said: ‘Following the launch last week of the adidas Samba Primeknit, the world’s first knitted football boot, we’re excited to be able to give the World a glimpse into the future of our products. The introduction of the adidas Primeknit FS is only the latest chapter of adidas football products and further cements our place as the pioneer of footballing innovation.’

Meanwhile, Nike has launched the Magista Football boot, designed with Flyknit technology during four years of R&D, reportedly aimed at ‘the creative playmaker’ due to its improved feel. The new Nike boot was unveiled by FC Barcelona playmaker Andrés Iniesta in Spain on Thursday.

Mark Parker, NIKE, Inc. CEO and President, said of the boot: ‘Our aim at Nike has always been to meet the athlete’s particular performance demands and amplify his unique set of skills. Magista inherits that transformative history of design and innovation and supercharges it.’

‘With Magista, we’ve designed a shoe that feels like an extension of the player’s body. This isn’t a boot that just goes on your foot, it’s a boot that works with your foot,’ said Phil McCartney, VP of Sport Performance Footwear. 

The Magista also features a new mid-cut Dynamic Fit Collar for a more locked-down fit and increased awareness of the body’s movements and interaction with the ground and the ball.

For the first time ever, Nike will supply kit to more teams than its rivals adidas at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Nike, who entered the football market in the 1990s, will be providing kit for 10 teams at this year’s finals – Australia, Brazil, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Netherlands, South Korea and United States, as well as renewing its partnership with Portugal earlier this week.

adidas, who announced this week that CEO Herbert Hainer would continue in his role until at least 2017, has dropped to eight teams from 10 in 2010, but does include reigning champions Spain, as well as Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria and Russia.