This weeks columns are written by hbtham and b3ans. We hope you enjoy them, and feel free to make comments both positive and critical. If you would like to write a weekly column shown here in the pinned thread, please leave your name or send me a pm.
roque
Full Version: Weekly Column- Now Online
Hbtham
Ronaldo,Marketing and Me
Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a metrosexual Portuguese right winger who plays for Manchester United. Everyones sister, girlfriend their mothers mother wants him and countless young players look up to him. Yes, i am one of those young players who wish and of having such talents, and sadly my sister, girlfriend and mother seem to want him (not sure about my grandma, but lets just say she does). When I really got to see him in action was at the Euro. I had known about him but never really saw him play a full match. I saw him blaze down the wings, doing stepovers and moves i had never ever seen before, let alone know how they even made any sense. Seeing him make defenders fall with ease was stunning,especially in those gold boots! He is so quick...It HAS to be the boots.
The boots I find out, are mercurial vapors. I remembered seeing them at my local shop, but that was a black pair, and I had never seen any pro wear them before, which is probably the only reason i had never even tried them on.But these gold ones, I had to have them. A few months pass and ding dong, gold vapors are at my door. A good way to waste a hard earned paycheck. What made me buy these boots? Was is because the way the looked? Was it beacause a player i adored wore them, or was it because i thought they were gonna make me THAT much better? The answers to all of these questions are yes, maybe and no, but maybe a little bit.
My mom tells me to put away all her jewellery. Thats how gold they are. They seem to be the gleaming boots of a God. The shape of them can only be described as sexy, the curves remind me of a some sort of exotic car. From the television set to my feet, I finally had my vapors. Looking in my bag, I toss my Air Zoom Total 90 II's and my Mystics into the corner of my room. Take care Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho, say hello to Cristiano. Yeah, I bought them because he had them.I was, like many, are influenced by what I saw in the media. Or was I ? By all means i would like the boots if no one wore them. But since I saw my hero, my idol wearing them, they had to be mine.
Take Ipods for example. They are amazing, useful devices, with a heap full of competitors that have products equal in quality. Yet you dont see any famous fashion companies making high priced cases for your silly iRiver. That is because Apple, like Nike and Adidas have done with football, have won the heart of celebrities. We all of celebrities we adore. For many of us, those celebs happen to be footballers. Beckham fans can be spotted with preds that have the tounges pull down to the toes, and ronaldo fans can be spotted with vapors and too much white tape around the ankles.(Although i know not everyone is like this, im just trying to make a point).
Having said that, i expected to play like him in a way. I show up to practice and did one , make it five too many stepovers. I felt like i could run past anyone with my new super boots that were supposed to make me fly. Long story short, i got benched the next game and I had blisters. I did find however my 20 yard sprint was .8 seconds faster, consistently. My coach told me it was me being fit, but a part of me suspected the vapors. I felt like i was faster, I felt like i could dribble better and i felt overall more confident. This helped me greatly, as in all sports, your mind is your biggest weapon. With high confidence, you can play smarter, faster and more effectively, which is in turn how I played. I felt more professional because I looked more professional. You wouldn't show up at work in street clothes would you? Your boss would say " Now that doesn't look professional, does it?". My team always looks at the other team for players with the nicest boots, because they are either into boots, or they are the better players. I am almost positive there are people out there who have done this.
New boots (for me anyways) ,really dont make me play any better, but they make me think im better.And I will probably continue to buy the boots my heros wear. But if Ronaldo shows up at his next game with pink and yellow boots and green hair, well, lets just say I am not gonna dye my hair green...but I will have to check the boot room on when i can get my hands on those pink and yellow vapors. Kidding!
Ronaldo,Marketing and Me
Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a metrosexual Portuguese right winger who plays for Manchester United. Everyones sister, girlfriend their mothers mother wants him and countless young players look up to him. Yes, i am one of those young players who wish and of having such talents, and sadly my sister, girlfriend and mother seem to want him (not sure about my grandma, but lets just say she does). When I really got to see him in action was at the Euro. I had known about him but never really saw him play a full match. I saw him blaze down the wings, doing stepovers and moves i had never ever seen before, let alone know how they even made any sense. Seeing him make defenders fall with ease was stunning,especially in those gold boots! He is so quick...It HAS to be the boots.
The boots I find out, are mercurial vapors. I remembered seeing them at my local shop, but that was a black pair, and I had never seen any pro wear them before, which is probably the only reason i had never even tried them on.But these gold ones, I had to have them. A few months pass and ding dong, gold vapors are at my door. A good way to waste a hard earned paycheck. What made me buy these boots? Was is because the way the looked? Was it beacause a player i adored wore them, or was it because i thought they were gonna make me THAT much better? The answers to all of these questions are yes, maybe and no, but maybe a little bit.
My mom tells me to put away all her jewellery. Thats how gold they are. They seem to be the gleaming boots of a God. The shape of them can only be described as sexy, the curves remind me of a some sort of exotic car. From the television set to my feet, I finally had my vapors. Looking in my bag, I toss my Air Zoom Total 90 II's and my Mystics into the corner of my room. Take care Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho, say hello to Cristiano. Yeah, I bought them because he had them.I was, like many, are influenced by what I saw in the media. Or was I ? By all means i would like the boots if no one wore them. But since I saw my hero, my idol wearing them, they had to be mine.
Take Ipods for example. They are amazing, useful devices, with a heap full of competitors that have products equal in quality. Yet you dont see any famous fashion companies making high priced cases for your silly iRiver. That is because Apple, like Nike and Adidas have done with football, have won the heart of celebrities. We all of celebrities we adore. For many of us, those celebs happen to be footballers. Beckham fans can be spotted with preds that have the tounges pull down to the toes, and ronaldo fans can be spotted with vapors and too much white tape around the ankles.(Although i know not everyone is like this, im just trying to make a point).
Having said that, i expected to play like him in a way. I show up to practice and did one , make it five too many stepovers. I felt like i could run past anyone with my new super boots that were supposed to make me fly. Long story short, i got benched the next game and I had blisters. I did find however my 20 yard sprint was .8 seconds faster, consistently. My coach told me it was me being fit, but a part of me suspected the vapors. I felt like i was faster, I felt like i could dribble better and i felt overall more confident. This helped me greatly, as in all sports, your mind is your biggest weapon. With high confidence, you can play smarter, faster and more effectively, which is in turn how I played. I felt more professional because I looked more professional. You wouldn't show up at work in street clothes would you? Your boss would say " Now that doesn't look professional, does it?". My team always looks at the other team for players with the nicest boots, because they are either into boots, or they are the better players. I am almost positive there are people out there who have done this.
New boots (for me anyways) ,really dont make me play any better, but they make me think im better.And I will probably continue to buy the boots my heros wear. But if Ronaldo shows up at his next game with pink and yellow boots and green hair, well, lets just say I am not gonna dye my hair green...but I will have to check the boot room on when i can get my hands on those pink and yellow vapors. Kidding!
b3ans
Boots and Positions.
Boots and positions have been a question popping up in these forums a LONG time. Most people swear that Vapors make them run faster, Legends giving them greater touch, Predators helping them bend the ball, and brilliant contact from the F50+s. What im going to tell you is the truth (in my opinion) about boots and positions. Starting with the professionals.
Getting sponsored is like getting a job; you HAVE to represent your COMPANY in every single way according to your contract. If your contract says you have to play in a low-end fully synthetic turf shoes in the rain, and you sign it. YOU HAVE TOO!!!!
So what I think, is that the companies like Adidas, Nike...well only those two pretty much, have the say in what the Average Professionals (Oxymoron?) get too wear. The companies are trying to get into your head by saying that these boots go here, those boots go there. It’s all bollocks.
In the next few paragraphs, I shall give you the most common examples of players thinking of what boot to get because of the apparent position that the companies say that they should be for.
Take the Mercurial Vapors for an example. Light weight, thin material, pretty much a shoe that is like a track shoe. Apparently by Nikes marketing these boots are supposed to be for attacker, or 'fast' players.
But if these boots apparently make you fast, wouldn’t defenders and keepers want to wear them. They make you faster don’t they? They increase your touch don’t they? Wouldn’t a defending player want these qualities as well? But defenders are usually seen as slow, dumb, lumbering players. THIS IS MY POINT!!! THE STEREOTYPICAL PLAYER!!! This is what Nike and Adidas want to get into your head. So if vapors make you fast, wouldn’t a slower player wear it to become fast? Wouldn’t a keeper wear them to get the apparent 'Great touch!' when taking goal kicks and punts, and to 'Burst' from their position to dive and get the ball, like track shoes?
Another example is the Nike Legends. Apparently an advert staring Ronaldinho states that 'The Play-Makers Boot' and from the man himself 'Touch, touch, touch!’ Once again BULLSHIT!!! What are the legends, another Kangaroo Leather boot. Id like to compare them to Copas and Kings. Lets see...what makes the Nike Legend? Kangaroo leather? No, it’s present on Kings and Copas. Covered laces? Nah, its on Kings and Copas as well. Conical Studs? Nope, present on Kings and Copas. 6-Stud SG version? I see a pattern here. The only 'True' difference I see here is the Air Zoom unit. What’s this going to do? For years Nike has been advertising this Air thing, and many believe it as their god. But IT WONT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, it may make a minute difference, but nothing a normal human being body will notice. They say it’s a boot for the midfield, or playmaker. Wouldn’t every one want these qualities in this boot? Comfort, touch, looks, power (apparently Nike states all these factors)
The final example for Nike from me is the AZT 90 3. Now, this boot I don’t mind AS MUCH. Nike never really did any 'Specific' advertising on this boot, but they still said that the boots for 'The Total player' and the player that runs around the most during the match? WELL ISNT THAT THE POINT OF PLAYING FOOTBALL??? Every player runs around a DAM LOT during a match, they said something like 12KM for Roberto Carlos, and if it still comfortable after 12KM, wouldn’t every player want to wear them, as they do apparently give 'Comfort for the full 90'. I’m not saying these are the boots you should get, because there have been many horror stories about them. But they seem to be, from Nikes advertising, and brainwashed kids minds, that these are the most versatile pair of boots. Even though they have been mocked, criticized and abused for the past 2 years. But the series of these boots have been around for quite a while. So I wouldn’t know what position Nike wanted these boots to do.
The next two are Adidas boots. Firstly I want to rant about the Predator pulse. From Adidas, these boots are shown too be for the Midfield, or more defense minded players. These boots were competing with the AZT903 and the Legends from the Nike line. I find these boots the most STUPID and BRAINWASHING of all. Why, two things usually considered with Midfielders, power and bend. The trademarks of these boots have been the curling pads, bend pads, islands, whatever. But they are considered to be a midfielder’s boot because, free kicks. Usually midfielders take them, and most, not all, but most takers chose to put bend on their ball, not raw power. Accuracy first, then power later. But why would midfielders only use this so-called ‘Aid’, firstly strikers. As I used to play as a forward myself, I knew the importance of manipulating the ball myself. A well-placed ball is much betters then a blaster in close range. And being able to bend the ball around the keeper into the goal is a widely used technique, so why wouldn’t strikers use them? And finally defenders and keepers. Well, keepers use the long ball many times. And bend is a good way to get the ball to your target, but can be easily done exactly the same with a normal boot. And defenders I see as important as well. As now I am a defender, I have used curl many times around attacking player to get to my target, floating the ball over the entire midfield to reach my target on the other side, and bending balls from an inner position as a thru ball so the ball at the end is rolling in parallel with the by-line.
The unique point of the Predator Pulse is the so-called ‘Power Pulse’ technology. By shifting the weight in the front of the boot to get added power. Fair enough I say, I believe this will work because of momentum, but why only for mid-fielders and free kick takers like Adidas states? Doesn’t every player want lots of power in their shot; Strikers still shoot from range don’t they? Keepers need to get the maximum distance on the ball when they goal kick don’t they? Is the point of clearing the distance as a defender to get as much length and height as they can, therefore needing more power? I think so.
My final boot I am going to criticize is the Adidas F50+. Now, I’m not going to lie, too me this is one BEAUTIFUL boot! But this boot doesn’t seem to have many features compared to other boots, if of anything, it seems to lack features! But once again, Adidas have rivaled the Vapor, and obviously state that this boot is for strikers and attacking players. What does this boot have, a flat kicking surface and soles, what a piece of crap. What doesn’t it have? It hasn’t got Kangaroo leather, its not light weight, Adidas doesn’t say its made for comfort. But Adidas has clearly marketed this boot as a very universal attacking boot, available for strikers first and secondly midfielders. Firstly the contact area. I agree, it looks like it would aid your shot, but looking at ever single other shoe or boot, pretty much everything has a relatively smooth upper. And say it did make a difference, wouldn’t every player want a pair, I mean, every player kicks a ball don’t they? So wouldn’t they want the F50+ for maximum surface area? Finally the interchangeable soles. Now this was a smart idea from Adidas, one boot, for their target audience of attackers and midfielders. It comes with Comfort, Light Weight and Professional. Usually ‘comfort’ has connotation with midfielders, as they do the most work. ‘Light Weight’ has connotation that it will be faster, and professional, well, being a plain good boot. So once again the boot has focused on the specific areas of attacking players. But should be used by a wide range of players from any position.
Now, Ill give you an example of a boot, which can be used in any position, any kind of player and have been proven too be successful. I know most of you already know what I am going to say, but just too all you guys who don’t read my posts COPA MUNDIALS and PUMA KINGS. Now these boots don’t focus on a specific area on the field, and they have been proven to be the best boots out there. Not matter what you say; these 2 boots, and a few others ARE the BEST out there. And with the release of the Legends and the 7406 (soon) I believe that in the future, along with the Copa and King, these boots will have a long lifetime. But be prepared for wacky commercials stating what position these boots should be used for!
I’ve now come to the end of my weekly column, but what Id like to say is, get a boot because of it comfort, not because what Pro wears it, or what Position it is apparently best suited for. Get it because you believe that it would be able to suit you. And trust me, you’ll make many mistakes, and look back and wish you didn’t get it. But that’s what fun. For me, I went through, Precisions, Talarias, Vapors, F50s and most recently Copa Mundials. I look back now and laugh at my stupidity, but because I loved my Copas so much I purchased World Cups, and I may soon buy a pair of puma Kings. You may think that you love your Vapors or F50s now, but as time passes, companies will release newer models and you’ll want to get them, and say that Vapors are crap now. But remember every boot is different for everyone, so be prepared to pay and try many different boots over your soccer carrier. You may never find your perfect boot, even though you may think that at the time. But if you do, you will be purchasing that boot over and over again.
Finally Id like to leave you with a quote from Adidas’s Copa Mundial. I believe in this statement greatly, and I believe it reflects my opinion on this subject.
“New technologies hit the field virtually every week and the latest boot styles constantly push the limits of our imaginations, yet the understated Copa, which first appeared more than 20 years ago, continues to thrive. Why? It's the craftsmanship, simple style and superior materials.”
Ken White aka b3ans
Boots and Positions.
Boots and positions have been a question popping up in these forums a LONG time. Most people swear that Vapors make them run faster, Legends giving them greater touch, Predators helping them bend the ball, and brilliant contact from the F50+s. What im going to tell you is the truth (in my opinion) about boots and positions. Starting with the professionals.
Getting sponsored is like getting a job; you HAVE to represent your COMPANY in every single way according to your contract. If your contract says you have to play in a low-end fully synthetic turf shoes in the rain, and you sign it. YOU HAVE TOO!!!!
So what I think, is that the companies like Adidas, Nike...well only those two pretty much, have the say in what the Average Professionals (Oxymoron?) get too wear. The companies are trying to get into your head by saying that these boots go here, those boots go there. It’s all bollocks.
In the next few paragraphs, I shall give you the most common examples of players thinking of what boot to get because of the apparent position that the companies say that they should be for.
Take the Mercurial Vapors for an example. Light weight, thin material, pretty much a shoe that is like a track shoe. Apparently by Nikes marketing these boots are supposed to be for attacker, or 'fast' players.
But if these boots apparently make you fast, wouldn’t defenders and keepers want to wear them. They make you faster don’t they? They increase your touch don’t they? Wouldn’t a defending player want these qualities as well? But defenders are usually seen as slow, dumb, lumbering players. THIS IS MY POINT!!! THE STEREOTYPICAL PLAYER!!! This is what Nike and Adidas want to get into your head. So if vapors make you fast, wouldn’t a slower player wear it to become fast? Wouldn’t a keeper wear them to get the apparent 'Great touch!' when taking goal kicks and punts, and to 'Burst' from their position to dive and get the ball, like track shoes?
Another example is the Nike Legends. Apparently an advert staring Ronaldinho states that 'The Play-Makers Boot' and from the man himself 'Touch, touch, touch!’ Once again BULLSHIT!!! What are the legends, another Kangaroo Leather boot. Id like to compare them to Copas and Kings. Lets see...what makes the Nike Legend? Kangaroo leather? No, it’s present on Kings and Copas. Covered laces? Nah, its on Kings and Copas as well. Conical Studs? Nope, present on Kings and Copas. 6-Stud SG version? I see a pattern here. The only 'True' difference I see here is the Air Zoom unit. What’s this going to do? For years Nike has been advertising this Air thing, and many believe it as their god. But IT WONT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, it may make a minute difference, but nothing a normal human being body will notice. They say it’s a boot for the midfield, or playmaker. Wouldn’t every one want these qualities in this boot? Comfort, touch, looks, power (apparently Nike states all these factors)
The final example for Nike from me is the AZT 90 3. Now, this boot I don’t mind AS MUCH. Nike never really did any 'Specific' advertising on this boot, but they still said that the boots for 'The Total player' and the player that runs around the most during the match? WELL ISNT THAT THE POINT OF PLAYING FOOTBALL??? Every player runs around a DAM LOT during a match, they said something like 12KM for Roberto Carlos, and if it still comfortable after 12KM, wouldn’t every player want to wear them, as they do apparently give 'Comfort for the full 90'. I’m not saying these are the boots you should get, because there have been many horror stories about them. But they seem to be, from Nikes advertising, and brainwashed kids minds, that these are the most versatile pair of boots. Even though they have been mocked, criticized and abused for the past 2 years. But the series of these boots have been around for quite a while. So I wouldn’t know what position Nike wanted these boots to do.
The next two are Adidas boots. Firstly I want to rant about the Predator pulse. From Adidas, these boots are shown too be for the Midfield, or more defense minded players. These boots were competing with the AZT903 and the Legends from the Nike line. I find these boots the most STUPID and BRAINWASHING of all. Why, two things usually considered with Midfielders, power and bend. The trademarks of these boots have been the curling pads, bend pads, islands, whatever. But they are considered to be a midfielder’s boot because, free kicks. Usually midfielders take them, and most, not all, but most takers chose to put bend on their ball, not raw power. Accuracy first, then power later. But why would midfielders only use this so-called ‘Aid’, firstly strikers. As I used to play as a forward myself, I knew the importance of manipulating the ball myself. A well-placed ball is much betters then a blaster in close range. And being able to bend the ball around the keeper into the goal is a widely used technique, so why wouldn’t strikers use them? And finally defenders and keepers. Well, keepers use the long ball many times. And bend is a good way to get the ball to your target, but can be easily done exactly the same with a normal boot. And defenders I see as important as well. As now I am a defender, I have used curl many times around attacking player to get to my target, floating the ball over the entire midfield to reach my target on the other side, and bending balls from an inner position as a thru ball so the ball at the end is rolling in parallel with the by-line.
The unique point of the Predator Pulse is the so-called ‘Power Pulse’ technology. By shifting the weight in the front of the boot to get added power. Fair enough I say, I believe this will work because of momentum, but why only for mid-fielders and free kick takers like Adidas states? Doesn’t every player want lots of power in their shot; Strikers still shoot from range don’t they? Keepers need to get the maximum distance on the ball when they goal kick don’t they? Is the point of clearing the distance as a defender to get as much length and height as they can, therefore needing more power? I think so.
My final boot I am going to criticize is the Adidas F50+. Now, I’m not going to lie, too me this is one BEAUTIFUL boot! But this boot doesn’t seem to have many features compared to other boots, if of anything, it seems to lack features! But once again, Adidas have rivaled the Vapor, and obviously state that this boot is for strikers and attacking players. What does this boot have, a flat kicking surface and soles, what a piece of crap. What doesn’t it have? It hasn’t got Kangaroo leather, its not light weight, Adidas doesn’t say its made for comfort. But Adidas has clearly marketed this boot as a very universal attacking boot, available for strikers first and secondly midfielders. Firstly the contact area. I agree, it looks like it would aid your shot, but looking at ever single other shoe or boot, pretty much everything has a relatively smooth upper. And say it did make a difference, wouldn’t every player want a pair, I mean, every player kicks a ball don’t they? So wouldn’t they want the F50+ for maximum surface area? Finally the interchangeable soles. Now this was a smart idea from Adidas, one boot, for their target audience of attackers and midfielders. It comes with Comfort, Light Weight and Professional. Usually ‘comfort’ has connotation with midfielders, as they do the most work. ‘Light Weight’ has connotation that it will be faster, and professional, well, being a plain good boot. So once again the boot has focused on the specific areas of attacking players. But should be used by a wide range of players from any position.
Now, Ill give you an example of a boot, which can be used in any position, any kind of player and have been proven too be successful. I know most of you already know what I am going to say, but just too all you guys who don’t read my posts COPA MUNDIALS and PUMA KINGS. Now these boots don’t focus on a specific area on the field, and they have been proven to be the best boots out there. Not matter what you say; these 2 boots, and a few others ARE the BEST out there. And with the release of the Legends and the 7406 (soon) I believe that in the future, along with the Copa and King, these boots will have a long lifetime. But be prepared for wacky commercials stating what position these boots should be used for!
I’ve now come to the end of my weekly column, but what Id like to say is, get a boot because of it comfort, not because what Pro wears it, or what Position it is apparently best suited for. Get it because you believe that it would be able to suit you. And trust me, you’ll make many mistakes, and look back and wish you didn’t get it. But that’s what fun. For me, I went through, Precisions, Talarias, Vapors, F50s and most recently Copa Mundials. I look back now and laugh at my stupidity, but because I loved my Copas so much I purchased World Cups, and I may soon buy a pair of puma Kings. You may think that you love your Vapors or F50s now, but as time passes, companies will release newer models and you’ll want to get them, and say that Vapors are crap now. But remember every boot is different for everyone, so be prepared to pay and try many different boots over your soccer carrier. You may never find your perfect boot, even though you may think that at the time. But if you do, you will be purchasing that boot over and over again.
Finally Id like to leave you with a quote from Adidas’s Copa Mundial. I believe in this statement greatly, and I believe it reflects my opinion on this subject.
“New technologies hit the field virtually every week and the latest boot styles constantly push the limits of our imaginations, yet the understated Copa, which first appeared more than 20 years ago, continues to thrive. Why? It's the craftsmanship, simple style and superior materials.”
Ken White aka b3ans
hbtham's column is a great read. I think a lot of people will relate to his situation. I myslef recently got some White Ice Vapors(already got the Photo BLue ones) but theres something about white boots, aint there?? 
Havent actually played a game in them yet though
Got bout 6 mins in last weeks game and didnt get on at weekend, but i feel so confident in them, i feel like Ronaldo or Henry, really wanna get my chance on the pitch and see how i perform in them.
Havent actually played a game in them yet though
Got bout 6 mins in last weeks game and didnt get on at weekend, but i feel so confident in them, i feel like Ronaldo or Henry, really wanna get my chance on the pitch and see how i perform in them.
Yeah, there's definetely something about playing in whte that gives you more confidence. Our away strips last year were white and we won every game that we played in them and we drew a couple of times with the black ones. There's definetely something about playing in white.
I absolutely love playing in our whites. But for some reason, most of my teammates prefer playing in our blues instead..
I do love both articles, and having experience writing pieces for news papers, i congratulate both of you for writing articles that captivate the mind, and may influence young players in future decisions.
Only owning two pairs of boots(copas and synthetic x-boots), I am not experienced in wearing all the boots mentioned, but i do see all the propaganda associated wih them. I do not know how these young players(or their parents) afford all this new "technology", but these boots are wayy to expensive for my "going to college-budget minded" check book.
I know you both probably have alot more to say on a variety of topics, but a suggestion for a future short piece might be "where boots are made". Companies do alot to either promote where a boot is made (copas in Germany, Vapors in Italy, etc.)...but how much does it really matter? Because a semi-expensive boot like the Ledgend is made in China does that mean the quality is going to be less than a Lotto boot that is made in Italy?! Are we paying for where a boot is, or is not made?
I would write a piece on this topic in my spare time (maybe when the semester is out), but because i am not as experienced enough with all these boots I can't write a quality article. It's all just a suggestion though....Thanks for listening, and good job!
Only owning two pairs of boots(copas and synthetic x-boots), I am not experienced in wearing all the boots mentioned, but i do see all the propaganda associated wih them. I do not know how these young players(or their parents) afford all this new "technology", but these boots are wayy to expensive for my "going to college-budget minded" check book.
I know you both probably have alot more to say on a variety of topics, but a suggestion for a future short piece might be "where boots are made". Companies do alot to either promote where a boot is made (copas in Germany, Vapors in Italy, etc.)...but how much does it really matter? Because a semi-expensive boot like the Ledgend is made in China does that mean the quality is going to be less than a Lotto boot that is made in Italy?! Are we paying for where a boot is, or is not made?
I would write a piece on this topic in my spare time (maybe when the semester is out), but because i am not as experienced enough with all these boots I can't write a quality article. It's all just a suggestion though....Thanks for listening, and good job!
i love the articles....i think its somethin everyone should definatly read!
great articles!
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