2015 Adizero F50

            As both a fan and player of the game, I always enjoy looking into new gear released by all brands, cleats especially. One that I have experienced in the past and still like to look at is the Adidas Adizero F50. Just recently, Adidas has revealed the 2015 model of the shoe along with their “There will be haters” campaign. The boot is set to release in February with leather and take down versions that are typical to the cleat.

Like always, the adizero will be compared to Nike’s Mercurial Vapor, with both being speed boots. Throughout the years, the Mercurial has had a few things that put it somewhat above the F50. First, it featured a bladed stud pattern that gave sharper cuts and turns, and while this may not seem very important, it does give that speed element that previous adizeros lacked with their conical studs. Mercurials also have always had a narrow shape that fit well on smaller feet but somewhat excluded larger ones. This is more of a personal preference, as people with smaller feet will want cleats to be narrower, but this doesn’t apply to all people. Previously, F50s have been known for a wider fit which left many users having a loose fit. Now, they have improved their fit, giving a sort of medium size that should be able to stretch and fit well on most.

To address these issues and beat Nike at its own game, Adidas has changed the boot dramatically to improve it over the past couple of years. For its outsole, last year’s F50 gave a completely new pattern for Adidas, keeping triangle studs in the back but opting for skinnier, almost bladed, triangles in the forefoot. The 2015 model keeps this idea but adds in notches in the outsole between studs giving added traction. Also, it uses only three studs in the heel of the cleat. The cleat features Adidas’ Dribbletex around the entire surface of the shoe, offering performance and control in wet conditions. Surprisingly, the new F50 changes in the opposite direction that it has been over the past few years in the weight area. If the listing is the correct weight that the boot will release at, it will come in at 7.0 ounces compared to a smaller 5.3 ounces on the last model. To some, this may be a disappointment as they like the minimal feel of the adizero. However, for me, this could be a great improvement on previous shoes. Some of the weight is in the added traction in the outsole, but I have to assume that the rest is going into the upper. This could add comfort and protection that the line has lacked in the past, which I think would help with the feel on the ball. While this could be a controversial release, I think that all of the changes are for the better.