adidas Runs With New Knitted Footwear
Sportswear giant adidas has released the world’s first knitted football boot. With what designers are calling the “most sustainable football boot” on the market – achieving zero waste – the limited edition Samba Primeknit is designed to offer players a state of the art, bespoke fit. By utilising yarns capable of resisting high levels of tension, the Primeknit’s one layer upper is able to cater for zones of the foot that require contrasting performance needs. The brand also claims the removal of all unnecessary over or underlays delivers the wearer with a “second-skin feel”. Markus Baumann, a senior VP at the firm, reckons this unique offering makes the Samba Primeknit a natural next step in the game’s evolution. “Every adidas product is developed with the player in mind and in particular, the needs of the player,” he said. “By producing the world’s first knitted football boot we have provided a brand new solution to the search for higher levels of comfort and flexibility.” While the Samba Primeknit may be the football world’s first hand-knitted footwear, it’s not adidas’ first venture into knitted goods. The new offering is the brands latest in a growing line of knitted footwear; grounded by the success of running Primeknit. “Primeknit is a technology that is right at the heart of adidas innovation and we’re excited about introducing this development into football,” explained Baumann. According to designers, “Primeknit football is just a starting point for a relentless roadmap of developments,” indicating plans from adidas to implement the technology’s use further. Luis Suarez has been signed up to give the new style its first official road test when Liverpool squares up with Manchester United on March 16. The Adidas Samba Primeknit will be available from Monday March 17 for purchase in selected adidas retail outlets, associated stockists and via adidas.com/football. Retail price starts at €300 (£250).