1.
When it comes to market leaders, adidas and Nike are kings of the soccer world. The leader is pretty much dependant in who you ask, but they have both got their own unique categories where they are top dog. It seems that both companies tend to counteract each other and look for ways to topple the others unique brands. Here we take a look at some of their top boots that share marketspace and compare how they stack up against each other.
This is 5 adidas Cleats vs 5 Nike Cleats: Breaking Down the Competition.
Bryan Byrne is the founder of SoccerCleats101. Got a question about boots? Hit up Bryan on Twitter.
RELATED: The Verdict: Nike Premier vs adidas Copa Mundial
RELATED: 10 Things To Look For in Your Next Pair of Soccer Cleats
2.
No. 1 – adidas F50 adiZero vs Nike Mercurial Vapor
Upper Material: Synthetic vs Teijen
Price: $210 vs $250
Weight: 5.8 oz vs 6.6 oz
Category: Lightweight, Speed
It is no secret that both of these boots are currently the top sellers on the market and for good reason. Nike and adidas have both put tremendous time and effort into making their Speed boots the premier choice of top players. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Mesut Ozil, Robin van Persie and Edson Cavani are just a selection of players who wear one of these boots. The list goes on!
The primary component that differentiates both boots is the material used in the upper. adidas keep things a little more simplified with a synthetic upper that features a very light texture. Nike, on the other hand, uses a Teijen microfiber that has a dimpled effect, designed to offer a much different feel on the ball.
In terms of actual weight, the F50 comes it at a slightly lighter 5.8oz compared to 6.6oz for the Vapor. But at this low weight point, there really isn't a ton of difference performance wise. Everything leads back to personal performance preference, between the upper and the traction system employed. When it comes to the soleplate, Nike has developed and employed a unique system that is only used on the Vapor, adidas on the other hand use the same SprintFrame that is used on most of their current range - it is seen as a more "tried and tested" solution.
3.
No. 2 – adidas Copa Mundial vs Nike Premier
Upper Material: K-leather vs K-leather
Price: $100 vs $120
Weight: 8.6 oz vs 11.4 oz
Category: Traditional, Classic
When it comes to keeping things simple, these are the boots that each company has on offer. The Copa has long been a staple of traditional players, with its super soft K-Leather upper and long standing durability properties. But Nike just introduced a boot that seems to have taken hold of the market and swayed a large swarm of players towards a more modernized heritage release. That is not an easy thing to do, but the Premier has a lot of top qualities on offer.
There are so many similarities about these boots, yet they contradict each other at the very same time. Players who value a traditional, standard black boot will be pleased with either. On release, Nike promoted the Premier as a boot set to stand the test of time with limited modifications required. adidas, on the other hand really don’t have to do any advertising for the Copa Mundial – word of mouth takes care of that. That battle to own this section of the market has really heated up and as an outsider, I am really fascinated to see where it goes from here!
4.
No. 3 – adidas Predator LZ vs Nike CTR360 Maestri III
Upper Material: Synthetic vs Kanga-Lite
Price: $220 vs $200
Weight: 8.0 oz vs 9.2 oz
Category: Control, Power Hybrid
There is no way we would have placed the name “Predator” and “CTR360” in the same breathe 18 months ago. But, adidas made a dramatic shift with the latest Predator boot that leaves them in the same hybrid category as the CTR360. It was a bold move, considering players expectations for the highly popular range, but it seems to be paying off and now attracts a larger target audience.
The latest Predator LZ has had its power zone trimed down and instead, adidas has focused on several areas of the upper to improve performance, each known as the “Lethal Zones”. Nike, place an emphasis on the playmaker with the CTR360 range and it has allowed them to market the boot to a wider player type. Anyone with an attacking mentality or who requires a deft touch, can find a connection with the control focused boot. Out of both boots, the CTR360 range is more likely to see the next fresh updated version, so it will be interesting to see how Nike approaches the design. Will they dictate a new hybrid or move back to a focused control boot?
5.
No. 4 – adidas adiPower Predator vs Nike T90 Laser IV
Upper Material: Taurus vs Synthetic
Price: $220 vs $220
Weight: 7.8 oz vs 10 oz
Category: Power
We step back for this one, with two boots that have just been retired. In truth, this is probably going to be the last real “Power” battle we see between Nike and adidas and the retirement of boot boots brings to a close the intimate characteristics of each specific boot. Many players are yearning for both to make a return but that is unlikely to happen.
Where both interconnected was in the use of Power elements. The Predator Zone has been one of the pioneering features of any boot or silo on the market and many companies have built their ranges on its success. This version featured a silicon region that added extra rebound when striking the ball. The T90 Laser IV was advertised on release as offering players the “Perfect Strike” thanks to an Adaptive Shield placed across the strike zone.
Again, bith had a focus on complimenting a player’s ability to strike a ball, with advanced technology regions adding some rebound when striking shots or playing long balls. Although off the market, hardcore enthusiasts can still find pairs available on eBay!
6.
No. 5 – adidas adiPure 11Pro vs Nike Tiempo Legend IV
Upper Material: Taurus vs Kanga-Lite
Price: $150 vs $165
Weight: 8.2 oz vs 9.6 oz
Category: Modern Heritage
For those players that want a modern boot without all the technological junk, Nike and adidas both have a boot for you. What is unusual about both is the fact that they have transitioned and been put through modern upgrades at the same rate. When one was released with a new upper, the other quickly followed with its own re-engineered material. That consistency has seen these boots battle it out over several generations of releases and we are sure to see the same trend going forward.
The only thing that really separates or distinguishes both of the current releases comes on the adiPure 11Pro. To add some extra durability properties, adidas has modified the upper with a region called Duracoat. This is the unusual stripe that runs down through the front of the boot. They also include the option of inserting a miCoach speed_cell, as most adidas boots do right now. We are due a new Tiempo Legend release and that is expected to drop really soon!
