RECENT RELEASES
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ADIDAS LAB – THE INNOVATION EXPERIENCE
adidas today launched the ‘adidas lab’, the first in a series of innovation events that will showcase adidas products of the past, present and future. We were invited along to the first event which focused on innovation in football. We were given the chance to test unseen products first-hand in a range of high-tech interactive experiences.
From its revolutionary Copa Mundial and Predator boots, to the iconic Telstar durlast, the official match ball for the 1970 FIFA World Cup (all of which were on display), adidas has remained at the cutting edge of football. The ‘adidas lab’ celebrates adidas’ continued commitment to pushing the boundaries in performance technologies, and provides a unique insight to the leading sportswear company’s future journey.
The ‘adidas lab’ focused on four leading innovations; the miCoach Elite Team System and the adidas Smart Ball, as well as the groundbreaking 630g kit and 99g boot. As part of the ‘adidas lab’, we had access to ‘The Track’, a ground-breaking real time data visualisation experience that tests footballing attributes on a 15m Astroturf track by measuring speed, work rate and skill across three running challenges. As consumers take part their movement and vital stats dramatically come to life on the screens as they run past.
Herbert Hainer, CEO of adidas Group commented: “The ‘adidas lab’ is a fantastic opportunity for us to show fans the innovation, imagination and technological expertise that adidas consistently delivers at the cutting edge of football. Our pursuit of innovation is also a key success factor for our Group. It ensures that we continue to strengthen our market position in the global sporting goods industry.”
Footballing legend Zinedine Zidane said, “I have been working with adidas for 17 years and throughout my career I have always known they have been leading the way when it comes to innovation in football. The adidas lab shows how the brand is shaping the future of football and is a great chance for fans to see it with their own eyes.”
99 Gram Boot
adidas have taken the creation of lightweight boots to the next level with a new super light boot that weighs a mere 99g. The revolutionary boot has been rigorously tested with a prototype already out ahead of a limited number being made available to the public in 2015.
Ground-breaking features of the 99g boot include a 1mm polyamide outsole which reduces weight but has the rigidity to perform at the highest level, an extremely lightweight upper layer made from a textile composite and a new unique stud layout to ensure fastest possible movements in all directions
630 Gram Kit
adidas is changing the way football is played and this new kit is a vital part of that. Released in 2015, a full adidas team kit will weigh just 630g, including shirt, shorts, socks, shin pads and boots. The minimalistic vest-shaped top layer will only carry name and numbering. Beneath this players will wear a base layer that is fully integrated into the miCoach Elite team system.
The shorts are made from a four way stretch breathable lightweight woven fabric, while the shin pads are integrated into the lightweight compression sock. And using a framed composite skin construction and a light weight outsole, the boots will weigh just 99g each, making them the lightest football boots ever.
Adidas Smart Ball
In football, every touch counts. The adidas Smart Ball has been designed to improve technique, power, spin and accuracy through automated coaching system. After three years of development, adidas has created a ball with in-built sensors that track its movement and feed the information back to the player through an app on their phone.
The app is built around four key sections that help improve players’ technique through immediate analysis, direct feedback, a series of challenges and a record book. Smart Ball is set for release in 2014, but fans visiting the ‘adidas lab’ will have the chance to test it out with three shots against a giant interactive Wall that projects their impact and results immediately.
Adidas miCoach Elite
This new adidas product is the first system of its kind that uses physiological data in real time sending it straight to a coach’s tablet on the side-line. The system not only provides real-time insights during training, but tracks total training impact, collects and manages data and is highly portable.
The state of the art system measures everything from power, speed and distance to heart rate, acceleration and field position, allowing key insights into player performance and work rate, helping teams achieve and maintain peak physical performance.
PUMA KING – WHITE/RED/BLACK
Puma’s King boot silo is one of the most iconic in the game and the current incarnation will have a new colourway for one of game’s biggest matches. Set to be worn by Bayern Munich’s Dante in the UEFA Champions League Final, the new White/Red/Black colourway oozes class.
The new King is all about control and Puma have redesigned the classic boots to enable the wearer to rule the pitch. The lightweight boots feature performance-driven touchCELL properties to help enhance your touch on the ball.
The soft, premium leather upper helps boost your feel for the ball so you can drive it right where it needs to go. The lightweight Pebax outsole with a mix of conical and traction studs ensures the perfect balance between flexibility, grip and manoeuvrability. It also reduces weight while the external heel counter helps increase protection and stability in the heel.
Dante said; “My first season with Bayern Munich has been an unbelievable experience and I am so excited to be part of the team that travels to London for the Champions League final. For me, this is a wonderful opportunity and playing in the final of such an important tournament is probably every footballer’s dream. I will wear my new PUMA boots for the first time in this match and I really hope they will bring me luck, having worn them in training I am sure they will enable me to perform at my best.”
ADIDAS PREDATOR LZ II
Since their release in back 1994, Adidas’ Predator silo has been a leader in boot technology and innovation. The release of the Predator X was the first step away from the traditional Predator we knew, which had seen subtle evolutions whilst maintaining its unmistakable identity up until then. Now with the retirement of the Predator’s most iconic wearer, David Beckham, it certainly is time for a fully fledged revamp and the Predator LZ II is certainly that.
Arriving in an eye-catching Ray Green/Black/Electricity colourway, Adidas’ once ‘power’ boot has continued its transition into a ‘control’ boot. Building on the five key performance zones established with the first LZ, dribble, first touch, sweet-spot, drive and control/pass. Five zones that combine to create the ultimate control boot.
Adidas’ Hybridtouch upper rovides the benefits of leather and a synthetic for a light weight with a natural feel on the ball. The geometry, shape, height and thickness of each zone has been updated after pro-players feedback and extensive lab testing. Most noticeably, adidas have increased the surface area of the ‘dribble’, ‘drive’ and ‘sweet-spot’ zones.
The dribble zone is designed for quick contact with the ball and close control. The large first touch zone has recessed ribs to cushion impact and stop the ball. On the sweet spot zone 3D ribs ensure longer contact with the ball to generate speed and spin. The drive zone has a raised and thicker 3D shape following the natural curve of the instep to help create rebound distance and open the game. The large control/pass zone is memory foam that has been updated with SL rubber for increased precision. and longer ball contact time.
Adidas’ revolutionary Sprintframe, designed to offer the perfect balance between lightweight and stability features their Traxion 2.0 stud design for maximum grip and acceleration in all directions and features a cavity for adidas’ revolutionary miCoach.
NIKE UNVEIL FIRST MANCHESTER CITY HOME KIT
Manchester City Football Club will play in their first ever Nike home kit next season – a kit that pays homage to their heritage and reflects the club’s modern style.
Manchester City revealed the kit against the backdrop of the dramatic Manhattan skyline at the start of their week-long New York Tour. A supporting cast of City fans from Manchester and the surrounding five boroughs performed the crowd dance craze known as the “Poznan” as City stars James Milner, Matija Nastasic, Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta showed off the 2013-14 home kit.
The new home shirt is a classic football design, and unmistakably Manchester City, featuring a sky blue body with a white ribbed crew neck and white ribbed cuffs on the sleeves. The collar and cuffs also feature dark blue trim to represent the color of the socks City wore as a part of one of their first ever kits in 1892.
The Manchester City club crest is placed inside a shield shape on the new jersey. This is inspired by the city of Manchester’s coat of arms, which City used as their own club crest for special occasions including the 1956 FA Cup final. Inside the neck is a bonded woven label featuring “Pride in Battle, the translation of the Latin phrase “Superbia in Proelio.”
The new home shorts are white with a thin sky blue stripe along each side, and the socks are white with a sky blue band with dark blue trim at the top to represent the socks the club wore for more than half a century from 1892.
Commenting on the new Partnership and New York Tour, Tom Glick, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer for Manchester City, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Nike. Having them as our new Technical Kit Partner demonstrates City’s growing global appeal, and we look forward to working alongside Nike to build and engage our fan base around the world. Nike’s extensive distribution networks will ensure the Club’s presence in markets stretching from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas and that our fans everywhere can find a wear a City shirt. We are also pleased to unveil our new look during our matches in New York and St. Louis this week. This is our third visit to the USA in the last three years, and we enjoy a fantastic following here. It’s an exciting time for soccer in the States, and we are big believers in its future. Passion for the game from fans and participants is strong and growing, and we look forward to playing a part in its on-going development.”
The kit showcases Nike’s belief in style, craft and strong aesthetics, while aiding the performance of players with key technological features. The kit is made from recycled polyester in accord with Nike’s commitment to produce athletic wear with a low environmental impact. The shirt and shorts of each kit are made from up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles.
In the pioneering process plastic bottles are melted down to form yarn that is spun into recycled polyester, reducing energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. Since 2010, Nike has diverted more than 1.1 billion plastic bottles from landfills through the use of recycled polyester. The kit is made of fabric weighing just 150 grams, 23 percent lighter than previous Nike kits. It also boasts a 20 percent stronger knit structure and significantly improved stretch. The fabric is integrated with Nike Dri-FIT technology to draw sweat away from the body to keep players cool and dry.
Updated and improved ventilation zones consisting of tiny laser-cut holes on both sides and across the entire back of the shirt, as well as at the shorts’ waistband allows more air inside the kit for additional comfort and cooling. To aid fit and construction the jersey has been crafted with bonded T-bars at the junctions of the shirts to support the seams and inner welded seams with a clean finish to give a more striking appearance while also increasing comfort and performance.
ADIDAS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL CAMPAIGN
adidas today revealed an innovative new campaign to celebrate the forthcoming UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday 25th May at Wembley. Themed around the unique visualisation of player performance data during this season’s UEFA Champions League, the campaign features animations created via motion capture which will then be visualized through CGI communicating the journey from the start of the tournament leading up to the final.
As partner of the UEFA Champions League, adidas have developed a campaign using the key insight that the road to the UEFA Champions League Final is a long one and that the players who make it will have run further, kicked longer, passed more and tackled harder than most fans realize, the campaign is designed to bring to life exactly the lengths the players from the two finalists, Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich have gone to in order to reach the final at Wembley.
The campaign is designed to effectively engage with adidas’ target audience of 14 – 19 year old football fans and all those travelling international fans who will descend on London for the final. All of these fans will be invited to predict the final, for example the number of passes made, tackles won and shots on target for each player. The closest prediction wins tickets to follow the club of their choice at all UEFA Champions League games in season 2013/2014.
A bespoke website has been created for consumers to enter their predictions joining some of adidas’ biggest names in football, including Gareth Bale, Fernando Torres and Lukas Podolski who have also predicted the final. Operating in real time, once you’ve predicted the final you will be able to watch the final unfold comparing your stats to the actual event as it unfolds.
adidas spokesperson, Claus-Peter Mayer, Vice President Global Football Sports Marketing, comments on the new campaign:
“The new “All for This” campaign is designed to create a truly interactive and immersive experience for football fans across London and the world in the buildup to the biggest game in the European football calendar. Visualizing data in an innovative and never seen before way with 3D motion graphics and mapping will be both a first for us as a brand and a first for the UEFA Champions League.
Our ambition is to interact with as many fans as possible around the final at Wembley by providing them with unique content to share and debate online, that stimulates their imaginations, appeals to their love of the game and ultimately rewards their loyal support to both their teams and the sport as a whole”.
Image: How data capture imagery will look online
The finished animations will feature across an integrated marketing campaign around the UEFA Champions League Final later this week, with prominent out of home installations in London, standout print executions and 3D animations in all adidas retail, allowing consumers to interact with the campaign throughout the buildup to the show piece final at Wembley.
The website is now live in the lead up to the final and will be open to residents in the UK, Spain and Germany: www.adidas.com/allforthis
PUMA POWERCAT 1.2 – BLACK/FLUORESCENT YELLOW/BLUE
Puma have released their newest PowerCat 1.2 football boot colourway – Black/Fluorescent Yellow/Blue which will be debuted on pitch by Marco Reus in the most important match of the year this weekend. Reus, who has been an instrumental figure in the Borussia Dortmund’s successes on the road to the UEFA Champions League final, will wear his new PowerCat colourway for the first time at Wembley.
Marco Reus said, “Reaching the Champions League final is the biggest moment of my career so far and I cannot wait to walk out on this great football stage at the weekend. My first season at Borussia Dortmund with the whole Champions League tournament has been extremely exciting, and going to Wembley is really an absolute highlight for me. My new PUMA boots feature a similar colourway to the iconic BVB colours, I think this is a good sign and hope they will help me perform well in London and bring about a great end to a phenomenal season.”
The PUMA PowerCat 1.2 is designed for players who desire power and accuracy when shooting and passing. Featuring a perfect blend of materials, this boot provides increased kicking power, whilst enabling precision through the newest PUMA technology that improves ball grip (3D PST DUO Technology). The boot delivers a bladed stud configuration for better traction, manoeuvrability and accurate pressure distribution and the external heel counter protects and stabilises the heel.
Finishing touches are the soft, premium K-Leather that enhances fit, comfort and touch and a lightweight microfiber material in the lateral quarter to support of the midfoot, which is essential to keep the weight of the boot to a minimum.
NIKE BARCELONA 2013/14 HOME KIT
FC Barcelona next season will play in new Nike home and away kits combining the club’s renowned tradition with their modern and progressive approach, creating a distinctly Blaugrana appearance.
The traditional FC Barcelona red and blue stripes boldly return to the new home shirt with a modern graphic fade stripe featured on the sleeves. The shirt reflects the sublime simplicity of FC Barcelona’s style of play, which at first glance appears simple, but is in fact masterfully complex.
The jersey also features a vibrant yellow V-neck collar to represent the Catalan flag, the Senyera, which is also fully integrated in to the back of the collar. The red and yellow stripes of the Senyera also feature inside a side vent on the hem of both sides of the shirt. Inside the back of the neck is a woven label featuring the club’s motto “Mes que un Club” (More than a Club).
The new home shorts are blue, and the socks feature a thin yellow stripe at the top and a graphic red-and-blue stripe repeated from the sleeves.
The kit showcases Nike’s belief in style, craft and strong aesthetics, while aiding the performance of players with key technological features. The kit is made from recycled polyester in accord with Nike’s commitment to produce athletic wear with a low environmental impact. The shirt and shorts of each kit are made from up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles.
In the pioneering process plastic bottles are melted down to form yarn that is spun into recycled polyester, reducing energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. Since 2010, Nike has diverted more than 1.1 billion plastic bottles from landfills through the use of recycled polyester.
The kit is made of fabric weighing just 150 grams, 23 percent lighter than previous Nike kits. It also boasts a 20 percent stronger knit structure and significantly improved stretch. The fabric is integrated with Nike Dri-FIT technology to draw sweat away from the body to keep players cool and dry.
Updated and improved ventilation zones consisting of tiny laser-cut holes on both sides and across the entire back of the shirt, as well as at the shorts’ waistband allows more air inside the kit for additional comfort and cooling.
To aid fit and construction the jersey has been crafted with bonded T-bars at the junctions of the shirts to support the seams and inner welded seams with a clean finish to give a more striking appearance while also increasing comfort and performance.
NIKE BARCELONA 2013/14 AWAY KIT
FC Barcelona next season will play in new Nike home and away kits combining the club’s renowned tradition with their modern and progressive approach, creating a distinctly Blaugrana appearance.
For the first time, FC Barcelona will play in an away kit featuring the red and yellow of the Catalan flag — the Senyera — as the club’s traditional stripes.
The away shirt features a yellow-ribbed crew neck with red trim, amplifying the design of the home shirt. Bold yellow and red appears as the traditional stripes on the body and in the fade stripe on the sleeves. Inside the back of the neck is a luxury woven label featuring the club’s motto “mes que un club” (more than a club).
The new away shorts are yellow with a thin red stripe along each side, and the new away socks feature a thin red stripe at the top and the same yellow and red fade stripe from the sleeves fully engineered into the sock.
The kit showcases Nike’s belief in style, craft and strong aesthetics, while aiding the performance of players with key technological features. The kit is made from recycled polyester in accord with Nike’s commitment to produce athletic wear with a low environmental impact. The shirt and shorts of each kit are made from up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles.
In the pioneering process plastic bottles are melted down to form yarn that is spun into recycled polyester, reducing energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. Since 2010, Nike has diverted more than 1.1 billion plastic bottles from landfills through the use of recycled polyester.
The kit is made of fabric weighing just 150 grams, 23 percent lighter than previous Nike kits. It also boasts a 20 percent stronger knit structure and significantly improved stretch. The fabric is integrated with Nike Dri-FIT technology to draw sweat away from the body to keep players cool and dry.
Updated and improved ventilation zones consisting of tiny laser-cut holes on both sides and across the entire back of the shirt, as well as at the shorts’ waistband allows more air inside the kit for additional comfort and cooling.
To aid fit and construction the jersey has been crafted with bonded T-bars at the junctions of the shirts to support the seams and inner welded seams with a clean finish to give a more striking appearance while also increasing comfort and performance.
NIKE UNVEILS FIRST ENGLAND KIT
The new England kit was unveiled today, with the first official sighting via a picture posted on twitter by England midfielder Jack Wilshere of a pupil at his former school wearing the jersey, demonstrating that the kit belongs to the nation, not just the players lucky enough to represent England. Following its reveal via social media, Nike has created a campaign emphasising that while the kit may feature technical innovation and performance benefits, it cannot win games by itself, and it is what the players do in it that counts.
Wilshere arrived to watch a training session at The Priory School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, before picking out lucky student Jason Kelly to wear and reveal the shirt for the first time .
“This is where my dream of playing for England started and it’s great to be back here to see a new generation playing with the same passion,” Wilshere said. “I gave Jason the shirt because his commitment and work-rate really impressed me today, he showed that it’s what you do on the pitch that matters — from your first match as a nine year-old all the way up to the international stage.”
A clean, distinctive design takes the kit back to its roots with its traditional colors of white and dark blue to celebrate the Football Association’s 150th anniversary. The iconic three lions crest was prominently featured in dark blue on the team’s first kit, and once again, the crest is the proud focus – now with a gold border, a gold star above it signifying England’s World Cup win, and a gold ribbon graphic below inscribed with “150 years” and the dates 1863 and 2013, marking the Football Association’s anniversary.
The blue on the new kit is the same dark blue colour that featured on England’s first kit. Embodying the clean lines and understated style of the best of English fashion, the white shirt features a dark blue classic crew neck collar, while two side vents on the hem of the shirt subtly feature the St George’s cross. The shorts are entirely dark blue and the socks are white with a thin dark blue band at the top.
The kit showcases Nike’s belief in style, craft and pride while aiding the performance of players with key technological features. The kit is made from recycled polyester as part of Nike’s commitment to produce performance apparel with reduced environmental impact. The shirt and shorts of each kit are made from up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles.
In the pioneering process, plastic bottles are chopped into flakes, then melted down to form yarn that is spun into fabric, reducing energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. Since 2010, Nike has diverted more than 1.1 billion plastic bottles from landfill through the use of recycled polyester.
The kit weighs just 150 grams, 23 percent lighter than previous Nike kits. It also boasts a 20 percent stronger knit structure and significantly improved stretch. The fabric uses Nike Dri-FIT technology to draw sweat away from the body through the fabric where it can evaporate, to keep players cool and dry.
Ventilation zones, consisting of tiny laser-cut holes, feature under the arms on both sides, as well as at the shorts waistband, to allow additional comfort and cooling. A mesh panel across the entire back increases air circulation.
To aid fit and construction, Nike embarked on an innovative programme of 3D body scans of some of the world’s leading players to produce a more athletic fit tailored to footballers’ physiques. The shirt has been crafted with bonded T-bars to support the seams at key points and inner welded seams with a clean finish to give a more striking appearance, while also increasing comfort and performance.
