Nike have just released their newest line of soccer cleats and they are sure to revolutionize the soccer boot market. The Nike Green Speed soccer cleats are designed to provide the best fit and touch possible in a speed boot paired with an environmentally conscious design. This pair of cleats, due to be worn at the start of the Olympics on the mystically fast feet of Neymar, are stripped down almost to the core. They include all the essential elements that a pair of soccer cleats needs to deliver lightweight performance and high speed control, but without any of the fuss and muss of gimmicky touch pads or strike zones. Every piece of these Nike GS cleats has been designed to reduce weight, making them Nike’s lightest football boot ever weighting in at 160 grams for a size 9. Less than a Puma evoSpeed or Adidas F50 Adizero.
These boots are also constructed using renewable and recycled materials and lower the impact of manufacturing on the planet. Designed at Nike labs in Montebelluna, Italy; the Nike GS features bio-based traction plate made primarily from castor beans, a crop that takes far less water than other natural material sources to grow, and ensures strength and flexibility on pitch. In addition, that anatomically engineered sole plate allows to shoe to move naturally with your body making you faster on the fly. Along with a sock liner made from 100% castor beans, the laces, lining, and tongue are made from 70%+ recycled materials. The toeboard, found under the sockliner near the front of the shoe, and the collar around the heel cup, feature at least 15% recycled materials.
According to Andy Caine, global design director for Nike Football, “The Nike GS is the lightest and fastest football boot we’ve ever made and really defines a new era in how we create, design and produce elite football boots. When you can deliver a boot that combines high end performance and a low environmental footprint that’s a winning proposition for players and planet.” I’ll be interested to get our hands on a pair of these, but for the time being, you can see the vital stats for this pair of cleats, direct from Nike.
Sole Plate and Studs:
Nike GS traction plate combines a high performance chassis with a strong responsive and agile form. The sole plate is made of 50% renewable Pebax® Renu (a plant derived material made with 97% castor beans) and 50% TPU, made from renewable materials. The plate is 15% lighter than a traditional plate composition.=
The traction plate includes a minimalist diamond-silhouette spine, which provides optimal flex and agility in plate performance.
Anatomically positioned studs maximize speed in multiple directions to ensure responsive and assured movement on pitch.
Touch & Control:
A solvent-free Kanga-Lite synthetic upper provides zonal reinforcement for exceptional touch and control. The synthetic upper also supports lockdown on midfoot and arch area.
The lightweight and chemical-free sock liner is made of 100% castor beans and eliminates any layers for a snug fit and enhanced touch on the ball.
Stability & Support:
Anatomical and asymmetrical heel counter and heel bucket locks the foot down for stability and support. The counter is made of Pebax® Renu, derived from castor bean oil.
Written by: Matthew Wall, editor, soccerprose.com
