adidas Launch The World's First Knitted Boot - Football Boots

Introducing the Samba primeknit football boots - the latest chapter in a rich history of revolutionary adidas products. Just when you thought you'd seen it all adidas have re-written the rule book of football boot design and taken innovation to the next level by creating the world's first knitted boot.

Inspired by the success and feedback of footballers wearing primeknit running shoes adidas set out to incorporate the technology into football. The main intention was to replicate the fit and enhance ball touch by using a barefoot or sock like experience - to create a boot that combines the comfort and responsiveness of playing barefoot with the protection of a traditional design.





The limited edition release is the first football boot to have an upper that is knitted from heel-to-toe. On first impression you'd be forgiven for questioning the durability and protection but adidas assure that the Samba primeknit provides a bespoke second-skin fit that retains the strength of a conventional boot.

While traditional football boots are constructed from several pieces, overlay and underlay, the Samba primeknit reduces the amount of materials to a single knitted layer that wraps softly around the foot, following the exact foot shape to offer a pure ball control.
 

Using just one textile layer also ensures that weight is kept to a minimum with the Samba primeknit tipping the scales at just 165g. That benchmark of weight remains untouched even in the most challenging conditions, as each yarn receives a high precision coating that guarantees water resistance.

The Samba primeknit is the result of 2 years of development and testing, from initial design to lacing up players such as Suarez for feedback to launch. The boot was tested in the harshet winter months to stand up to wetness and coldness and adidas were in constant exchange with players to gather their performance feedback.





Markus Baumann, Senior VP for Global Football at adidas commented on the launch of the new adidas Samba primeknit, "Every adidas product is developed with the player in mind and in particular, the needs of the player. By producing the world's first knitted football boot we have provided a brand new solution to the search for higher levels of comfort and flexibility."

"primeknit is a further demonstration of our commitment to driving relentless innovation in football and is designed to allow for a bespoke fit for each player, making performance more intuitive and responsive than ever before. primeknit is a technology that is right at the heart of adidas innovation and we're excited about introducing this development into football."





Visually the primeknit incorporates a colourful melange effect by using the colours from the Samba pack - solar blue, solar zest, blast purple and pink. So is this a one off? Not according to adidas, who say this is just the start, they believe they've uncovered the next step in football boot design and it's here to stay.

The adidas Samba primeknit will launch with a £220/€300 price tag and Liverpool's Luis Suarez is scheduled to give the boots their first on pitch appearance against Manchester United on Sunday 16th March - the day before they hit the shelves.



The adidas Samba primeknit boots will be available from select online stockists including Pro-Direct Soccer from 17.03.14. What are your thoughts on the world's first knitted boot? Let us know. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.