Puma will debut its second footwear release born from a partnership with global football superstar Neymar later this month.
Now available for pre-sale and officially dropping Jan. 21, the Future Z 1.1 football boot will be worn by the Paris Saint-Germain forward, as well as other soccer icons like James Maddison, Eugénie le Sommer, Marco Reus and Dzsenifer Marozsán.
Lilly Cocks, developer teamsport footwear, described the mid-foot “FuzionFit+” compression band as the Future Z’s biggest innovation. “The band was developed using a special combination of polyester and spandex yarns, along with special technical yarns to create the perfect balance of compression, comfort and durability, giving the wearer that second-skin feeling,” she said in a statement.
The boot also sports the brand’s new Z-shaped Dynamic Motion System outsole. Developed for advanced traction, the design reduces weight, provides 360-degree lock-in around the foot and maintains a stable plate for wearers “to perform devastating accelerations, movements and skills,” Puma said.
“Fit and comfort are essential for agile, creative playmakers,” Florian Nemetz, senior product line manager, teamsport footwear, said in a statement. “To support this type of player we developed the outsole from a super lightweight [polyether block amide material] that has undergone vigorous testing through the development stage. During 20-meter agility tests, players achieved on average 3 percent faster times when wearing the Future Z in comparison to wearing its predecessor.”
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Designed with the help of medical staff, the boot’s stud configuration includes a middle stud at its pivot point to enhance rapid changes of direction, Puma added. The upper, meanwhile, uses a new material that the brand said provides superior touch and ball control.
After abruptly ending his 15-year relationship with Nike, Neymar signed onto a long-term partnership with Puma last year. The sports brand released its first collection with the athlete in October. Centered around a black-and-white rendition of the Puma King Platinum football boot, it also included a tee, track jacket and track pant. In December, Puma released a teaser edition of the Future Z 1.1, as well as another apparel collection.
Last month, Neymar signed another long-term partnership, this time with the U.K. branded clothing company Superdry. Under the three-year global deal, the forward will champion organic underwear and sleepwear.
Earlier this month, Puma debuted its all-new Fuse strength trainer. Designed with the help of partners like seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, the shoe includes a shock-absorbing internal midsole, a “Pumagrip” rubber outsole for traction and durability and a thermoplastic polyurethane heel clip in the back for a boost of support.