Umbro football boots will bring back unforgettable memories for many of you reading this post. You’ll most likely think of one of the best boots in history – one of those that stay in the memory and which, fortunately, we can still enjoy today just as they were: the Umbro Specialli 98 football boots. A true work of art. But we all know that keeping up with the times is what matters most, as long as you stay true to your principles and know exactly what the public needs. This new Umbro Tocco is: a classic boot featuring cutting-edge technology, at a very affordable price, made of leather, and most importantly, it comes from Umbro.
Umbro Tocco // Balance
Let’s start by talking about the rationale behind this boot, the very reason for its existence. Umbro, quite apart from being one of the most historic brands in the world of football footwear, is a brand that knows exactly where it stands in the market. They possess a wisdom worthy of their heritage, and the facts speak for themselves. Umbro was the first to launch lace-free leather football boots; they have a collection that appeals to all kinds of audiences and tastes, including lace-free boots, leather boots, boots designed for speed and touch, and knitted boots… There was one small niche missing, one that many brands don’t bring to the fore, but which is a sales success: leather boots, at affordable prices and featuring the latest innovations.
The upper is a real marvel. Tocco, which translates from Italian as ‘Touch’, is crafted from an incredible Italian leather called Idro-leather. This leather is designed to withstand adverse weather conditions. That doesn’t mean it’s a winter boot, NO. It’s suitable for any time of year. Idro-leather achieves water resistance with 75% less water absorption; this means you’ll stay light on your feet and maintain control whatever the weather. Not revolutionary in this day and age, but in certain parts of the world, it’s something that’s greatly appreciated.
If you recall the Umbro Ux Accuro 3 football boot, unveiled in mid-2019, we highlighted one feature above all others: ITS TOUCH. The boot is constructed with a leather base, which preserves the hallmark of the Tocco range: extreme comfort without compromising on a superb fit. And it is on this Idro-leather that the D3O comes into play; this is the strip-shaped coating that can be seen across the entire surface of the boot that comes into contact with the ball. This material is responsible not only for giving us greater grip and touch with every strike and pass, thanks to its shape and distribution, but also for absorbing the impact of every ball we touch and dispersing that force across the entire surface, resulting in much better short touches when dribbling and better ball control.
Comfort is something we’ve prioritised. A layer of memory foam is positioned beneath the leather in the midfoot area and moulds to the foot for a bespoke fit, based on individual movement patterns and playing styles. The collar around the ankle has been specially designed to ensure the boot slips on easily, offering exceptional comfort and support for the often-neglected and overworked heel.
Finally, all this comfort, fit and feel wouldn’t be possible without a sole to complement the design, and on this occasion, Umbro has opted for the new Pebax plate, very similar to the one featured in the Ux Accuro 3, known as the Pro Stance. This time, without adding too much weight, we see a fork-shaped structure encircling the sole. This ensures stiffness in the heel and arch, whilst allowing flexibility in the forefoot. Its studs allow us to cover many kilometres in every match with maximum comfort. A sole designed to help us cover as much of the pitch as possible.
Umbro wants to move away from the trend of cramming boots full of features that add nothing to the game, and instead offer technologies that simply work where it counts: touch, comfort and a good fit – so we can play our best football. And if we can save a few quid in the process, all the better. Are you ready to give them a go?
