What's Up with the Upper of the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl?
Nov 28, 2016, by Pat
It's time to speak more about the confusion that is the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl and its different uppers.
As you might have noticed over the last few days and perhaps already before the official launch, not just Paul Pogba, but ALL professionals are wearing a sort of prototype / sample of the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl - one that's almost nothing like the one that hit retail and was dubbed a "16.5" by some.
An interesting perspective on the whole situation is offered by Unisport's JayMike who recently said that he hopes that the Ace 17+ PureControl will get updated before its eventually replaced by the Ace 18+. Now, this could just be his inner boot nerd speaking, but it would be extremely naive to assume that a person in his position would voice something along those lines without knowing at least something.
Another point in favor of an update of the Ace 17+ PureControl upper at one point is the fact that all leaked colorways feature the second upper. If Adidas had settled on reverting to the 16+ upper for whatever reason, one would assume that later samples, for example for the Fall / Winter 2017 period, would be based on the definitive upper by now.
All in all, we are fairly certain that we'll see the Ace 17+ PureControl's real look instore sooner than later. Possibly already with January's Checkered Black edition. If you cannot wait to try out what the pros are wearing, you should probably give the 'Tango' rendition of the Ace 17+ PureControl, available with turf and indoor outsoles, a try. By the looks of it, its upper is identical to the earlier leaks of the cleated edition, i.e. what the professionals are wearing.
So why is so important for Adidas to update the upper? First, it's kind of odd to release a boot that's virtually unchanged and branding it as a whole new edition - or at least that's what people could feel in this situation. Additionally, we believe it's important that players are not advertising boots that have almost nothing in common with what they are wearing on the field, as e.g. Paul Pogba is doing currently. We feel that this could hurt Adidas reputation with time.
There are also a number of more practical reasons to update the upper. For one, there where a few critics of the initial laceless PureControl boots voiced concerns about the fit being too loose in general - an update could help resolve this. Also, the 16+ PureControl's upper construction, while getting rid of laces, added a second compression techfit layer. It looks like the 'real' Ace 17+ PureControl upper is just one layer, which could offer a better connection with and improved feel for the ball.
What do you think? Share your thoughts on the Ace 17+ PureControl upper controversy in the comments below.
FC Noah 26-27 Home Kit Released
Armenian club FC Noah has unveiled its new home kit for the 26-27 season. Made by Adidas, it will be worn in the upcoming Armenian Premier League and UEFA Conference League campaigns.
The Adidas FC Noah 26-27 home shirt features the club's traditional black and white colors, but introduces a highly bespoke graphic design on the front. This bold central element even prompted questions from fans online about whether it was a main sponsor logo or an integrated pattern.
The club clarified that the eye-catching graphic on the Adidas FC Noah 26-27 home jersey represents the wings of Bazé, the team's new symbol. The Bazé signifies a constant drive to rise higher and the ability to strike the target at the right moment.
Adding to the local inspiration, the Adidas FC Noah 26-27 home football shirt incorporates patterns depicting the basalt columns of the Symphony of Stones. This natural monument, formed by cooling volcanic lava, symbolizes the harmony of nature. The Armenian flag is also visible on the kit, rounding out a design inspired by the natural landmarks of the Armenian Highlands.
FC Noah will debut the Adidas 26-27 home kit on July 23, 2026, when they face Moldovan side Zimbru in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
VSG Altglienicke 26-27 Home Kit Released
The new VSG Altglienicke 26-27 home kit has been released. It is made by Uhlsport and will be worn in the upcoming Regionalliga Nordost campaign.
Pictures of the new uhlsport design were recently shared online, providing a detailed look at the new shirt for the German fourth-tier side. Interestingly, VSG Altglienicke's official social media accounts have not yet posted about the kit launch.
The team will debut the VSG Altglienicke 26-27 home kit during their pre-season preparations before the competitive matches begin.
SC Kriens 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Swiss club SC Kriens has officially unveiled its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. Produced by Erima, the new shirts will be worn as the team makes its return to the Swiss Challenge League following their recent promotion.
The Erima SC Kriens 26-27 home and away strips feature clean designs tailored for the club's upcoming campaign in the second tier of Swiss football. The new kits embrace the traditional green and white identity of the team, offering a smart look as they prepare for the challenges of the higher division.
Both the home and away SC Kriens 26-27 kits will be worn throughout the year as the club aims to secure its place back in the Challenge League. The new Erima SC Kriens 26-27 jerseys provide a fitting and updated aesthetic for the promoted side.
Adidas Floats Giant 2026 World Cup Final Ball and Trophy Down the Hudson River
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, Adidas launched a massive promotional stunt in New York City. The brand sent a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup Trophy alongside an enormous version of the Adidas Trionda Final match ball floating down the Hudson River.
The large inflatables caught the attention of fans and locals as they navigated the waterways near the host city. This activation is part of a series of river-based promotions by Adidas during the tournament, which previously included a giant cutout of Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal earlier in the summer.
The display prominently features the official final match ball, generating excitement before the concluding match. It provided a spectacular photo opportunity with the New York skyline as the backdrop for the climax of the 2026 World Cup.
