As we mentioned earlier, today we’ll be taking a look at the new Puma Future Z, a new generation of football boots that take on a completely different shape compared to the previous model. Although this Puma boot model has undergone several changes, the German captain of Borussia Dortmund continues to wear them without laces – that is, in a laceless version that isn’t available on the market, but which he has chosen to create himself. For some years now, we have seen the German captain wearing laceless boots, which is why we have decided to try them out ourselves by removing the laces from the latest boots released. So we’ll tell you all about our impressions and what we think of the new Puma Future Z boots worn without laces.
PUMA FUTURE LL
Before we move on to discussing our impressions on the pitch, let’s take a quick look at the technologies the German brand has incorporated into this latest edition of the Puma Future. The main—and perhaps most significant—change is the FuzionFit+, a compression band positioned at the centre of the boot that wraps completely around it. The aim of this technology is to lock and stabilise the foot, keeping it firmly in place to prevent any type of injury caused by excessive movement inside the boot. We also find Grip Control Pro, a thin layer of gel that increases cushioning and, crucially, grip when we make contact with the ball. The upper is made from an ultra-lightweight, super-stretchy knit called Evoknit Pro, which makes it easy to slip your foot into the boot and then moulds perfectly to it. Finally, the Z-shaped outsole provides stability and excellent traction for the wearer.
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After a brief overview of the technologies, let’s focus on how this boot felt when we took the laces out. We'd like to make one thing clear: it’s true that Marco Reus—a professional, after all—wears them without laces, but it’s also true that the boot is most likely made specifically for his feet, based on their exact shape. By this we mean that he will obviously have a boot that, without a doubt, will fit his foot immediately, precisely because it has been made specifically for him, and therefore we won’t have exactly the same experience as the German champion.
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Let’s start with our first impressions. We have to admit that the boots are spectacular; Puma has done an excellent job, and you can tell from the very first moment. In terms of functionality, these boots do exactly what they’re supposed to do: they’re lightweight and snug-fitting thanks to the knit construction, and offer exceptional grip. Without a doubt, the area where Puma has excelled is the FuzionFit, the compression band we mentioned earlier. It’s a detail that the German brand has perfected down to the last millimetre, incorporating technology that makes the boot a top-of-the-range product and ensures players feel comfortable wearing them. You can really feel the support for the foot and the stability provided by the band, resulting in a super-snug boot.
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But let’s get to the point: can we wear them without laces? Well, yes, even without laces the boot performs very well. Our biggest fear was that it would lose too much support and that the foot might ‘slip around’ too much, but that’s not the case at all; thanks to the knit, it moulds to the foot like a second skin, and obviously also thanks to the compression band on the instep that we’ve been talking about. It’s also true, however, that as this is a boot designed with laces, keeping them on gives you a better fit. So, for those who want a tighter-fitting boot, keep the laces on; but if, on the other hand, you prefer a boot that gives you more freedom, taking them out will give you one of the best football boots around.
What else is there to say? Puma never ceases to amaze us, bringing us innovative and versatile products like these new boots. However, we’d like to end this post with a question: if Marco Reus has been doing without laces for years, why not just create a laceless boot straight away? Do you think we’ll see Puma do something like that? You can share your thoughts in the comments and let us know if you’ve tried these new boots!
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