Ransacker wanted to make sure that the Nike T90 Laser III football boots received the most comprehensive review to date. So they asked myself and our resident professional footballer; Ben Burgess to review the cleats along side one another, no pressure there then!
So I thought I would get a headstart and give you my initial impressions first. I will also follow up with a full review once I’ve played in a few more matches and spoken to Wayne Rooney about his latest cleats! Yes, I’m getting to meet the man himself tomorrow at the official media launch of the Nike T90 Laser III.
Comfort
The first time you put on the Nike T90 Laser III it looks like a reasonably wide boot similar to some of the previous T90 collection, but once you try and get your big foot in there, you struggle!
The Nike T90 Laser III although wide looking; due to the extra technology and widening on the outside of the boots with the instep pods, is a very slim boot and provides tight fit. However, the Nike T90 Laser III are not too tight and the snug fit allows for a much sweeter touch.
Although I am normally a size 9.5, a size 10 fitted perfectly once I had my shin-pads with ankle protection and footy socks on.
Normally when I break in a cleat it’s pretty uncomfortable however because of the moulded sockliner this wasn’t a problem at all. No rubbing on the ankle or bottom of the foot, which is where I normally find the problems.
The only initial rubbing I found, which has also been reported elsewhere in the Nike T90 Laser III, was on my little toe, where the stitching over the top is in a slightly strange position, and also the outside of the big toe.
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Strength & Protection
In terms of the strength of the Nike T90 Laser III, the snug fit made them feel very thin, but in fact it provides a lot of comfort and protection. The boots have held up well so far in strong tackles or tussles. The red fins on the top of the Nike T90 Laser III, designed to allow more spin and cushion when striking the ball also allows more protection on the top of the foot. The lateral support on the heel/ankle of the Nike T90 Laser III provides the most important protection and narrows the risk of turning your ankle.
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Obviously the Nike T90 Laser III stand out, they are Green/Red/Black so you can spot them from a mile away! This isn’t always a bad thing though, as players are more likely to pick your feet out and notice you more. I certainly found that team-mates could notice them more, and with the initial use of a good boot behind me, it made me more confident.
The T90 lettering on the heel of the Nike T90 Laser III puts a nice almost retro feel to the boot but with the red fins on the top as well they stand out a bit too much.
The T90 Laser III’s have the lacing on the side and unlike many cleats at the moment, the laces are uncovered and showing, which I think gives a nice look.
Many people have commented that the Nike T90 Laser III are ugly boots or they are too bright, but I’ve found the more you look at them or see them, the more you like them, and if you don’t, then look forward to the White/Obsidian/Gold colourway coming out soon!
And the Nike T90 Laser III look so much cooler when Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres and John Obi Mikel are wearing them!
Strike and Performance
On top of the Nike T90 Laser III being sturdy, looking very bright, and feeling comfortable, the most important thing is how they perform and how well you can strike the ball. The boots were designed to be perfect striking boots and allow you to master accuracy with the drills that Nike provide in the box, but do they actually work?
Well at the end of the day the Nike T90 Laser III AREN’T going to make you hit a clean volley from 40 yards out if you can’t strike a ball well anyway, but they’ll certainly help.
What the Nike T90 Laser III WILL do is allow you to strike it a bit more cleanly. The Nike Total 90 Laser III football boots, with the added red fins on the top of the boot allow striking with the laces and toes to connect that much better and put you’re foot through the ball.
The other main feature on the Nike T90 Laser III which is most likely to affect your performance is the ShotShield. This is the area on the instep of the boots where there are what can only be described as ‘black spikey bits’ that also allow more cushioning when striking the ball, and this is the part of the boot where I think the boot really excels! It allows the extra bit of spin or accuracy when taking a curling shot around the keeper and in to the net, something which is very helpful when coming one-on-one with the goal-keeper.
Cost
Right, so, probably what you all want to know is are they worth it? The top of the range Nike T90 Laser III are £129.99 RRP and if you have the money to splash then you’re probably not bothered, but if you aren’t Mr moneybags then spending £130 on a pair of boots is going to feel like a lot. So far we can’t tell you how long they’ll last, because they haven’t been out that long and they haven’t been used that much. The professionals will most likely be getting a new pair each game or at least pretty frequently so you won’t see theirs falling apart, but so far the boots look pretty sturdy and don’t have any potential parts that could easily dis-function the boots.
There are obviously, like most football boots, different price categories and versions of the boots pricing from £64.99 RRP and £39.99, and we want you to get your money’s worth. In this case the more you spend the more impressed you’ll be with the boots, and the better the technology!
Summary
OK so initial impressions of the Nike T90 Laser III are very good. They may look a bit dodgy, but they feel great. The boots are tight and comfortable and allow more technique from your foot and your own individual movements, but also help striking the ball in different ways with the fins, ShotShield, and instep pods. All this helps, but as I said before, if you can’t strike a ball anyway, these boots aren’t going to magically allow you to hit a screamer like Rooney!
On the other hand, Nike provides you with all the essentials to improve your game with the boots themselves, and some training exercises and challenges to allow you to become a better player and master your accuracy!
We’re heading down to meet Wayne Rooney on Monday and talk to Nike themselves about the new Total 90 Laser III’s so keep your eyes peeled for more exclusives about these boots!
Other Recommended Reading
- Nike Total 90 Laser III – “Grass Roots” Review
- Burgess’s Boots: Nike T90 Laser III Review
- Torres and Rooney open up account for T90 Laser III’s
- T90 Laser III’s fail to inspire Rooney performance
- Nike T90 Laser III football boots debut, tonight!!
About the author
Ben Hardinge is one of our football writers, and a freelance journalist after graduating with a 2:1 in BA (Hons) Sports Journalism. Ben is a huge Pompey fan and regularly plays 11aside and 5aside football, making him a great candidate for our boot testing. He likes football, music and FIFA 10, and wears a size 9 boot. He is currently sporting the Nike T90 Laser III football boots.
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Great post… keep it coming! I only wish there were more websites like this.
So how are they holding up?