Boot Watch #020 | Pre-Season in Full Swing
Jul 26, 2017, by Pat
Welcome back to our boot watch! As the transfer market gets heated every single day, the pre-season training and fridndlies are still going strong. Let's take a look at what has caught our eyes this past week.
John Terry | Nike Magista Opus
The newly appointed captain of Aston Villa has always been very finicky with his boots (apparently wearing a handful of pairs per game from an interview i once watched), so it's no surprise to me seeing him still in his trusty first generation Magista Opus boots. Even after having a custom pair of Tiempos fashioned for his last game with Chelsea! I've got my eyes on you John
Aaron Ramsey & Cesc Fabregas | New Balance Visaro (Ramsey edition) and EvoPower Vigor 1 Graphic
Dual boot spots are always fun and always easier as it allows me to hit two birds with one stone. In a classic matchup between Arsenal and Chelsea, both midfielders laced up in pretty special boots. Ramsey is still holding onto his custom version of the New Balance Visaro 2 (which is nothing at all like the stock model), and Fabregas swapped from the EvoTouch to the EvoPower, not that surprising to me but the colorway deserves the credit as it is actually stunning. Giroud's pair probably looked great with the Arsenal kit.
Romelu Lukaku | Nike Hypervenom Phantom & Phinish II
Ok this guy has got to make up his mind! Signing with United a few week back, Lukaku was shown wearing Adidas Nemeziz 17+ boots in training and having X17.1 boots in his changing room, and everyone thought he'd make the switch to the 3 stripes! After one training session back in his Nike Phinish boots, he then went into his games wearing the Phantom and the Phinish! Like if you can't pick brand, at least pick a model!
Samir Nasri | Nike Hypervenom Phantom III low cut
Looks like Nasri officially made his switch. After spending some time with New Balance, Nasri blacked out his boots for awhile and was seen in the X16 if I'm correct. Well now that he's back with City and under Nike, he slipped on the low cut Hypervenom III in the latest colorway.
Leonardo Bonucci | Nike Magista Obra II
This spotting is more for the transfer talk then anything else, and a hell of a transfer it was. Fueled by all sorts of different factors, Bonucci's shocking move to Rival Italian giants AC Milan has certainly stirred up the transfer window. However, the highly talented defender keeps calm in his trusty Magista Obra's with which he customizes with a Tiempo-styled FG stud pattern.
Gianluigi Buffon | Puma One 17.1
An all time legend of the game, Gigi will forever be remembered as one of the greats. Starting up yet another season with Juventus, the big man has decided to op out of the EvoPower line for the first time since they were released. Ever since the Powercat and even earlier, Buffon has stuck by Puma and is a class act for this. As he's usually spotted in a leather variation of the EvoPower, it is to no surprise that he picks a simpler and originally leather made model like the One.
Neymar | Nike Mercurial Vapor XI Neymar Edition
I couldn't exactly leave him out of this spotting now could I? I'm no Neymar fan and with all the rumors of his possible record breaking transfer, it felt wrong to not include him. Especially when he's prematurely wearing his soon to be personal colorway of the Vapor, a stunning color combo, however not a fan of the detail and writing upon the upper itself.
Paulo Dybala | Adidas X 17.1
Although I've already placed Dybala in a recent spotting, he decided to swap things up again and this change deserve a mention in this week's spotting. Tying up a pair of Adidas X17.1 in a blacked out version shows Dybala might not enjoy the lace cover on the PureSpeed he was recently wearing. Nonetheless, he's still seen wearing Adidas for his games, is a contract on its way?
Carlos Puyol | Nike Tiempo VI TF
Well this is no shock, Puyol wearing Tiempos... what else is new? Taking part of the Star sixes tournament in London, Puyol laced up in his trusted Tiempo silo but in a TF outsole for the artificial pitches he was playing on.
Polo Di Canio | Adidas Copa 17.1 Tango TF EQT
I seriously want to ask him how much he likes those boots! The EQT color pack from Adidas was truly something gorgeous and although everyone knows about the Mundial Team and how it performs, I'd love to ask him how the Copa 17.1 TF performs.
José Mourinho | Adidas Ace 17+ Tango
Oh how I love a good coach spotting, and although I wanted to put Antonio Conte on this, Mourinho came out on top with his epic laceless Ace 17+ Tango boots. And he even opted for the all black colorway.
Hope you enjoyed the latest boot watch, please let us know if you have another spot or found error in our work.
No More Tolledo: ASA de Arapiraca Announce Junpe Kit Deal
Brazilian side Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense (ASA) has officially announced a new technical partnership with sportswear brand Junpe Uniformes. The deal will see the São Paulo-based company take over as the club's official kit supplier starting with the 2027 season, replacing previous manufacturer Tolledo Sports.
The partnership marks another significant expansion for Junpe across Brazilian football. Founded in 2018 in Bernardino de Campos, the manufacturer has quickly built a strong presence in the domestic market, providing kits for roughly thirty clubs, including Alagoas rivals CSA as well as teams such as Brusque, São Bento, and Santo André.
ASA and Junpe are expected to present the club's new match kit and training collection ahead of the 2027 campaign, in which the Alvinegro will compete in the Campeonato Alagoano and national tournaments.
Virgil van Dijk Fronts High-Tech Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide
Nike and wellness technology brand Hyperice have officially launched their newest collaborative innovation, the Nike Air Zoom Hyperslide. Fronted by Liverpool captain and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, the high-tech slide is engineered to bring professional-grade post-match recovery into an effortless everyday silhouette. The release represents the second major chapter in the Nike x Hyperice partnership following their high-top Hyperboot debut.
The slide integrates Hyperice's heat and massage therapy directly across the bridge of the foot using a removable, magnetic Hyperslide Pod housed inside an adjustable strap. The pod provides three adjustable heat levels reaching up to 47°C (117°F) alongside three targeted vibration settings designed to ease foot tension and boost circulation in 15-minute cycles. Underfoot, Nike supplies a low-profile, full-length Air Zoom unit to ensure high-end impact cushioning, with settings easily adjusted through on-device buttons or the companion Hyperice mobile app.
Designed for travel and post-training downtime, the slides are TSA carry-on friendly and offer up to an hour of battery life via USB-C recharging. The Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide is available in both Black and Orewood Brown colorways for $249 via Nike, Hyperice, and select global stockists.
Arka Gdynia 26-27 Third Kit Released - Celebrating 100 Years of Gdynia
Polish club Arka Gdynia and technical partner Macron have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. The special jersey has been created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gdynia receiving city rights in 1926, paying homage to the city's rich maritime history and coastal identity.
The Macron Arka Gdynia 26-27 third jersey features a sandy beige base color inspired by the Baltic beaches and the city's centenary celebrations. Across the front panel is a tonal sublimated street map of Gdynia, referencing the city's famous concept of being built from sea and dreams. Contrast detailing arrives in dark brown on the sponsor prints and Macron branding, while the ribbed crew collar and sleeve cuffs are finished with brown, white, and yellow striping.
Several bespoke elements are incorporated into the design, highlighted by the exact geographical coordinates of the club's municipal stadium embroidered in gold thread on the upper back. The left sleeve displays a stylized 100 Gdynia anniversary badge, and custom neck tape carries a dedicated club motto inside the collar. The kit completes Arka's 26-27 match collection alongside the home and away jerseys released earlier this summer.
Mantova 1911 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian Serie B club Mantova 1911 and Adidas have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 26-27 season. Dubbed the "LOTO" jersey, the design is deeply rooted in local natural history, drawing direct inspiration from the lotus flowers that were introduced to the Mincio River and Lago Superiore in the 1920s and have since become a defining spectacle of the city.
The Adidas Mantova 1911 26-27 third jersey combines a dark base with brushstroke-like textured graphic patterns in shades of blue across the torso, evoking the flowing waters around Mantua. Traditional club identity is maintained through red and white trim on the crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. The Adidas three-stripe performance emblem appears in white on the right chest, placed opposite Mantova's classic crest.
The new jersey completes the club's matchwear collection for the 26-27 campaign alongside their clean white home and red away kits, delivering a distinct, nature-inspired alternative look on the pitch.
Punjab FC 26-27 Third Kit Released
Indian Super League side Punjab FC have officially revealed their new third kit for the 26-27 season, crafted by domestic kit partner Shiv-Naresh. The new release completes the club's wardrobe alongside their previously launched home and away strips.
The Shiv-Naresh Punjab FC 26-27 third jersey introduces a clean white base paired with vibrant orange accents on the round crewneck collar and sleeve cuffs. What sets the design apart is the rich orange floral artwork placed along the lower flanks and running across the sleeves, celebrating traditional Punjabi artistic heritage. A subtle all-over tonal pattern runs across the fabric, adding extra texture beneath the surface.
The shirt is finished with the black Shiv-Naresh panther logo on the right chest, the full-color Punjab FC crest on the left, and dafaNEWS branding placed in the center.
Fleetwood Town Unveil Commemorative Puma Shirt for Arsenal Carabao Cup Tie
Fleetwood Town have unveiled a special commemorative Puma home shirt to celebrate their upcoming League Cup fourth-round clash against Premier League giants Arsenal. The Cod Army secured their place in the last 16 following an impressive cup run featuring clean-sheet home victories over Chesterfield, Shrewsbury Town, and Sheffield United. The historic tie is scheduled to be played at Fleetwood's own Highbury Stadium on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Manufactured by Puma, the special edition 26-27 kit builds on Fleetwood's traditional look with a red body, contrasting white sleeves, and black-and-white detailing along the collar and cuffs. The standout addition is the embroidered match inscription placed neatly on the chest between the Fleetwood Town crest and the Puma cat logo, detailing the fixture, tournament round, venue, and date, sitting directly above the Ruby Energy main sponsor.
The shirt is the centerpiece of a broader official commemorative merchandise range released by the club for the occasion, which also includes a bespoke matchday programme, souvenir ticket, and commemorative scarf. Available in limited quantities, the jersey has been launched for pre-order through the club's online store priced at £70 for adult sizes and £60 for juniors.
Nike "Joga Bonito" React Gato & Streetgato Boots Released
Nike has introduced Brazilian-inspired "Joga Bonito" editions for the React Gato and Streetgato, paying homage to the brand's iconic 2006 campaign. The lifestyle and small-sided Streetgato arrives in a vibrant canary yellow upper with white accents and a classic gum outsole, while the indoor-focused React Gato is dressed in royal blue with silver detailing and embroidered "Joga" branding on the heel tab. Both models feature soft synthetic leather across the forefoot for an enhanced touch, combining heritage flair with modern court performance and React cushioning.
PSG to Wear Special Pink October Kit Against Lyon
Paris Saint-Germain and main sponsor Qatar Airways have unveiled their fifth consecutive Pink October initiative to support breast cancer awareness and patient care. For the campaign, PSG's 26-27 home kit features the iconic pink ribbon placed underneath the Qatar Airways logo, complete with a pink gradient effect and matching pink player names and numbers on the back. The men's squad will wear the special shirt during their Ligue 1 clash against Olympique Lyonnais on October 25 at the Parc des Princes, following appearances by the women's team against OL Lyonnes on October 17 and the handball side on October 10. Match-worn shirts from these fixtures will be auctioned off to raise funds for the AP-HP Sorbonne Université hospital network.
In-House FC Barcelona 92-95 Remake Kit Released
FC Barcelona has officially launched a brand new retro collection paying homage to one of the most celebrated eras in club history: the 1992-1995 Dream Team period. Fronted by first-team stars Pedri, Gavi, and Raphinha, the release takes heavy inspiration from the classic home kit worn under legendary manager Johan Cruyff during an era defined by domestic dominance and European glory.
The centerpiece of the capsule is the 1992-95 retro shirt, which recreates the aesthetic of the iconic 1990s Kappa design without Kappa logos. It features traditional wide blaugrana vertical stripes, an authentic spread polo collar, and an all-over tonal jacquard pattern woven into the fabric. As an in-house club production rather than an official Kappa reissue, the original manufacturer branding and sleeve tape have been replaced with a stylish cursive "Barça" script on the chest and repeated along the sleeves.
Complementing the jersey, the retro capsule also includes matching blue shorts with branded side striping, an 1899 striped knitted sweater, and period-inspired socks, alongside optional #10 printing on the back of the shirt.
The Barcelona 1992-95 retro collection is available now exclusively through the official Barça online store and physical club shops, with the flagship shirt priced at €69.99.