New boot for the Rugby World Cup

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Netizens

To be seen at the iRB Rugby World Cup France 2007 are new rugby boots. The new boots designed by Le Coq Sportif will incorporate a synthetic polymer developed a quarter of a century ago by Arkema. The synthetic Pebax® polyner has been incorporated into the new soles of the rugby boots. Pebax® is a low density, lightweight polymer which offers impact resistance (support), good energy recovery and accommodates the conditions of play. The tough Pebax® sole give added support and stability to the player’s foot by offering resistance to repeated bending and twisting. According to the manufacturers impact and vibrations are also absorbed by Pebax® polymers adding to foot comfort during play. The 20% thinner sole also increases the feeling of suppleness (accroding to the manufacturer). The new Le Coq Sportif rugby boots are 10 to 20% lighter than those made from traditional materials. Arkema's Pebax® has already been incorporated into soccer boots. In collaboration will Italian sportswear company Lotto Sport Italia they launched the world's first lace-less football shoe, Zhero Gravity. Pebax® was chosen for the boot's design, as it is the only polymer capable of combining light weight (the boot weighs about 210 grams), impact resistance and comfort, whatever the conditions of play. The various Pebax® parts are built into the heel and the outer sole. Le Coq Sportif' have sponsored Frédéric Michalak France, and he will be sporting new boots. The intention is to release two models the Favourite and Puncher.

As the inclusion of synthetic polymers into shoe structure increases the need for external foot orthoses becomes less likely.

What say you?

Interesting Sites
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/
http://www.footy-boots.com/lotto-zhero-gravity/

toeslayer

 

Interesting looking shoe, especially the lace-free design. Knowing nothing about Rugby, are there bonus points if the shoe accompanies the ball in flight during a drop goal???

Why is it called a boot when its cut below the ankle ????

I read this comment several times and concluded that it is the grammatical equivalent to an Escher painting.

 

Scorpio, I am just badly dyslexic but what is a comma between colleagues.

I have a chapter on the evolution of the soccer boots somewhere on the net. The boot tag relates to the original engineer boots which were made for public schoolboys in the 19th century. Many of the early work's teams had no kit and played wearing their workboots. By the fifties when high top ankle protection was considered unnecessary, greater freedoms were given to ball control with the introduction of the slipper type shoes. Ironically 'socco' means slipper, but the origins of soccer have no relation to this.

toeslayer

 

Shoe Fitter's Nightmare

 

netizens

The laceless boot is quite a major innovation in soccer boot design and has the potential to improve fit over the dorsum of the foot, as well as significantly increase the size and shape of the sweat spot (for kicking the ball).

Quite literally with a fitted shoe now so intrinsic to foot function, the laceless boot offers the ultimate foot othoses. If this proves to be the case I would suggest it is only a matter of time before this polymer technology crosses over into everyday fashion.

toeslayer

 

I find hard to agree with this claim, it's virtually impossible to control any pressure over the foot without any possible adjustments (like laces or straps).

True this is very important for this game but.... if the shoe its hard to fit (like most Football boots are), then its useless.

 

Paulo

I agree totally. If the shoe is as good as the manufacturer claims then there is the potential for a giant leap in shoe design. I would assume (not having seen the boots) the fit is engineered by elasticated sides. Obviously modulus of elasticity will determine how long the boot is servicable. With star players being presented with new boots per game, I would anticipate we need to wait for the real punters feedback.

Cheers
Cameron

 

Not seen these boots, but in my experience flexible boots are great if you're a 10, not so clever if you're a prop.

 

Simon

Would certainly agree and rugby particularly demands different boot styles for forwards, flankers and backs because of their different roles. The laceless version has been designed for soccer but the new polymers can be found in both rugby and the soccer shoes.

toeslayer