adidas has released the newest version of the iconic F50 cleats, bringing back the original speed cleat for adidas.
The first set of F50 cleats were released 20 years ago, right before Euro 2004. Nike had previously come out with the Mercurial Vapor, a cleat built for speed, this was adidas’ response. As Cristiano Ronaldo was wearing Nike’s speed boot, Lionel Messi ended up wearing the F50s and created legendary moments in them.
In Messi’s time while wearing the F50s, he achieved the record for goals in a calendar year while wearing the third generation. In the last version of the F50s before they were relaunched as the X, he won his fifth Ball d’Or, an award given to the best player of that season.
Trinity Rodman, a young star for USWNT and Washington Spirit, can be seen wearing the newest F50s. A speedy forward already making history for Spirit and in the NWSL at only 22 years old. Last summer she made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut.
As a cleat built for speed, weight and ball control are two of the most important factors. In the original F50 cleats, the laces were covered, giving the player more area on the boot to control the ball and have a better touch. The thin but strong synthetic on the shoe results in reducing the weight significantly.
adidas wanted to maintain these two factors throughout the years, so the design did not change much. The only changes made to the cleats were to make them lighter and more comfortable.
Now, almost a decade after adidas chose to leave the famous name behind, these iconic cleats have made their return – The F50 Fast Reborn.
These cleats come with new technology like the Sprintframe 360 outsole. This lets players accelerate in any direction while also giving them supreme stability.
An uncomfortable shoe is not going to work for any soccer player. The F50 features a Fibertouch upper, an engineered material that offers superlight support and cushioning only where needed.
Ball control is still as important to adidas as it was in 2004. The F50’s Sprintweb is a 3D texture which allows players to have better control over the ball, especially at high speeds.
In this newly released version, laced and laceless versions of the cleats are available. The laced version features a Compression Fit Tunnel Tongue with strategically placedTPU reinforcements for enhanced fit and lockdown. In the laceless version, a Primeknit collar molds to your foot creating a sock-like feel with almost nothing between your foot and ball..
adidas has also announced the launch of their newest pack, the Advancement Pack. This pack comes with a new F50 cleat, along with Predator 24s and Copa Pure 2s.
This red, white and blue pack comes with all the new technologies the F50 Reborn Fast come with. This pack also introduces a F50 Mid W Elite which has features specifically for a woman’s foot. The Primeknit Mid-Cut Collar brings another level of adaptive fit and comfort around the ankle. adidas got feedback from athletes which led to a sockliner designed to provide more stability and optimal arch support.
If you are looking to buy adidas’ iconic cleats, prices range from $270-$70. The price depends on if you are buying a child’s cleat or mens/womens and then if you are buying a cleat made for artificial grass, firm ground multi-ground or soft ground. Laceless or laced cleats do not change the price.
F50s are built for the fastest players in the new generation, will you be one of them?