REEBOK SPORTS CLUB, Rockefeller Center, NYC
BREAKTHOUGH TECHNOLOGY-DESIGN FOR MORE POWER, ACCURACY, PROTECTION AND CONTROL
PT dome Indoor
PT mini (Front) PT dome (Back)
Like all passionate activists, soccer fanatics are very VERY particular about their attire and equipment.
And in this sport, the shoes matter BIG TIME.
Athletes’ abilities to play well ‘on any given Sunday’ is dependent on the feel of the shoe and the confidence that goes with knowledge of what added plus (+)- a ped covering can add ---
---factoring in skill levels…
… and as a team sport, on their abilities to work cohesively together and maybe like each other… (Les Bleus-the French team at the World Cup=NOT- Errrr - NON!).
Tech breakthroughs, always have their early adopters…but when it comes to sporting goods equipment, we’ve noticed that without the major star power, it tough for a small company to serve up a smash hit from a word of mouth support- a groundswell of hallelujahs--without a major star athlete’s seal of approval.
Unless the gear is …made super well, solves a problem…and/or measurably, and measurably, positively adds to the overall performance of athletes.
In the running world, there’s the barefoot mantra that’s handing off the baton to brands like Newton’s and the Vibram’s Five Fingers…the latter mainstreaming it to making a fashion statement on the Hollywood Red Carpet.
Now for soccer fanatics and those TBD types (kids), there is CONCAVE.
WHAT DOES IT:
PT+(Left) and PT1(Right)
At a TrendCast media event recently, we saw a lot of ‘best-in-class’ brands, not yet household names--- from the outdoor industry world.
Yet it’s when we spied the CONCAVE display, we literally grabbed their sales’ guru by the collar…demanding an explanation as to why this shoe is starting to get the positive buzz---in the footwear trade-press, no less.
And why, we expect to start seeing these cutting edge kickers on pitches wherever we travel.
What’s being tossed out as the soccer equivalent to Calloway’s Golf’s Big Bertha driver and Prince’s breakthrough with the oversized tennis racquet…
Concave shoes connect with more power, accuracy and control “going into the ball’ because of the four times greater sweet spot via the revolutionary uppers’ design…a unique concave shape that ‘cups’ the ball.
Additionally, there’s the “MetroGuard” for added protection…(as in getting stepped on by another player---a major ouch and potentially really harmful)
And these two very functional benefits, are coined the “Concave Component” ----
--a breakthrough patented technology ----found in several boot models “to suit every level of performance,”
Our focus at the show---the limited edition, just introduced PT+ Classics, is “a boot that combines our latest technology with some of the world’s finest workmanship and materials.”
Sure, the boot is a looker---with the understated silhouette of traditional boot forms ---but we think it’s the ‘gee whiz’ elements and added safety and protections via the unique designs--- that’ll get the footballers to make the switch.
As in ---
…a sole plate featuring a seven stud screw-in configuration system or mould configuration system (depending if soft ground, firm ground or rounded mould)…all carefully positioned to avoid pressure on the key points of the forefoot.
…additional stability and comfort via a lightweight 2-part injected TPU=== with a minimal external heel counter…
…a Shank Balance Stabilizer (SBS) that helps prevents metatarsal bone damage ---giving just the right amount of flexibility, (not too much) flexibility to the mid-foot area…
…a removeable sock liner amped up with a supportive higher arch sidewall and “TPE Wave pads” for the ideal fit…and an anti-slip forefront pad with “high density rubber molded shock resistant heel pad.”
Made with supple (“luxurious”) K-leather---we had a highly skilled amateur soccer playing, immensely knowledgeable, incredibly passionate about the game pal of ours---who plays several times a week for many leagues, travels for tournaments…and IMHO…would be a better commentator than current ESPN's on air trifecta ---demo a pair of Concave’s latest offering.
Yeah, we get that upper materials, color waves, weight of the shoe, and stud configurations (etc) are a personal preference decision of the highest magnitude…with a lot of variables that come into play, for the play…
But his hallelujahs began with the initial text message that he “totally approves” of his right out of the box experience with the PT+ Classics Round Moulded shoes he used on an outdoor turf surface.
A follow-up, thumbs up approval went on to mention that the “white as can be” kickers were… ”…a light boot with a good feel right out of the box.”
Adding that “the minimal laces at the top took some getting used to” and the toe box “… felt a tad big at first” (vs. his “ancient Adidas Copas”), he also acknowledged “that tight is not always better…” –certainly for foot injury reasons (BUT YES, feel free to insert your own one liner here, ha ha-we did).
Lucky us in terms of feedback, he was also playing “every roll needed”---and on this instance started as the sweeper (stopper)---a position requiring great game read and ball handling control and “as we started really poorly… I ended up seeing a lot of the ball from the get-go.”
After the first few touches, he stopped “worrying about the front panel/block attached to my foot” …and felt differences---with initial touches =”slightly softer”--- and later clearances to midfielders, “a bit stronger and more focused than usual.”
Switching to midfielder for the second half, requiring “quicker touches and more prolonged movement with the ball” scored an awesome:
“END RESULT-NICE.”
Unable to have a tested shot from a distance…he strongly felt “that his target ratio will increase” given his “clearances” experience.
AND: “More to follow on what it does for shooting, but at first use I was very satisfied.”
FYI: The Concave Component has been “independently” tested…with results showing an increase in accuracy by 30% and power by 15% …
Concave’s PT+ Classics hits retail shelves and e-commerce sites just as the World Cup buzz is at it’s fevered pitch, and the better known competition, Adidas (F50 AdiZero $200), Puma (PowerCat 1.10 Tricks $210) and Nike (Mercurial Vapor SuperFly 11 Elite $400), ---take the field.
And though there may not be any major upsets---yet----in terms of sales figures---we get the feeling that like several national teams who surprised on the South African world stage …Concave will capture the public’s attention with its technical innovations that consistently impact a player’s game…and takes this category of athletic shoes to another (higher) level.
WHAT ELSE IT DOES ---keeps John O’Shea (Manchester United) and Danny Webber (Portsmouth) well shod…
INFO: For the 411 on specific $(50-175) design & technology, products, color waves, retail locator etc CONCAVE SPORTS