Image credit: adidas
It isn’t easy being a playmaker on the football pitch. You need silky skills, good control and above all, a sublime touch that renders it impossible for defenders to get the ball off you.
To achieve this, you can’t just rely solely on your natural prowess, you also need to enlist the help of some sick equipment too. I recently had the honour of being invited to an exclusive adidas event. Alongside adidas’ Singapore influencers and members of the media, I got to try out the new Copa 19.1, one of the 4 new boots featured in the new Exhibit Pack — adidas’ first major football boot collection of 2019.
Disclaimer: this review was written from the perspective of a novice football player whose thoughts may not be representative of the entire football community.
With its enigmatic Core Black upper and funky Solar Yellow quarter, adidas’ latest iteration of the Copa 19.1 looks straight out of Wakanda from the movie Black Panther.
No Vibranium included
But I’m clearly not the only one who’s a fan of the design. Terence Ong, a freestyle footballer from the Urban Street Team, is particularly fond of the new Copa 19.1 design as it pays homage to retro football boots through the black while staying modern with the splash of neon yellow near the boots’ collar.
With these eye-catching colours on display, you’re sure to get some mad stares on pitch. So better not bottle your chance when you’re one-on-one with the keeper.
Putting on the Copa 19.1, I was taken aback by how snug and comfortable they were. Unlike other sports footwear that I’ve tried, these boots mold perfectly to the contours of my feet, like a second skin.
But having shoes that fit well doesn’t just score points in the comfort department, it serves a practical aspect too.
Close-fitting shoes minimise chafing between your foot and the shoes’ inner linings. Say goodbye to those pesky blisters that could potentially sideline you from the sport you love. That said, don’t have them overly tight because that’s going to puncture your skin!
Another major reason behind the Copa 19.1’s comfort lies in the material that it’s made of. Unlike other boots that are commonly made of synthetic materials, the Copa 19.1 boasts a full leather upper.
This isn’t any run-of-the-mill leather we’re talking about. The Copa 19.1 is constructed using premium Kangaroo leather, also known as K-leather, soft enough for comfort yet durable enough to withstand tough challenges as defenders try to dispossess you.
Boots from adidas’ Copa line are renowned for enhancing players’ touch and the Copa 19.1 is no slouch. For someone who hasn’t stepped foot on the turf for a while, I was pleasantly surprised by my first touch on the ball.
Apart from a few mishits that stemmed from my lack of practice, every strike of the ball seemed ‘natural’ and the ball eventually ended up at the position I envisioned it to be. So if you enjoy tricking your opponent with Matic-esque close control, or love finessing shots into the top corner like Paulo Dybala, give these a try.
Image credit: adidas
In fact, Dybala, one of the best up-and-coming playmakers in the world, is the face of the reinvented Copa and he has put up some dazzling performances since donning the silhouette in November 2018.
If you’re already excited about the new Copa 19.1 colourway, hold on to your seatbelts, we have more exciting news for you — the other 3 other adidas football silhouettes are all dropping with refreshed colourways as part of the new Exhibit Pack.
The Predator 19.1, designed for those who love to dominate with their laser precision and control now comes in a Bold Blue colourway with silver and red accents.
It also comes with a sock-fit collar made out of adidas’ soft inhouse Primeknit, which gives players an additional soft layer of support for their ankles.
Worn by: Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Speed merchants with bags of pace will love the newest iteration of the X 18.1, which now comes in Active Red complete with distinct silver details.
Similar to shoes worn by track sprinters, these boots are ultra-light so as to minimise the ‘dead weight’ inhibiting players from unleashing their blistering pace.
Worn by: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Engineered for agile players who dominate on field using their agility and skills, the Nemeziz 18.1 now comes in a bright Solar Yellow colourway with adidas’ iconic stripes in blue.
Nemeziz 18+
Image credit: adidas
It also has a dual-lock collar that firmly secures the ankle, giving players a piece of mind whenever they execute sharp directional changes on the pitch.
Worn by: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
The new adidas Football Exhibit Pack comprising all 4 silhouettes will be available at adidas stores at Suntec City, Ion Orchard Mall, and Causeway Point from 29th January 2019. You can also score them online at adidas.com.sg and at all Weston Corporation outlets islandwide.
This post was brought to you by adidas. Photography by: John Lim
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