Nothing Special about these but have they changed (Umbro Speciali)

Member Name: peteacher9

Product:	Umbro Speciali
Date:	21/06/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very light and soft leather

Disadvantages: Break up after one game

I am going to write this review based on my own experience and it is not a good one. These were first released when I was 15. So your talking about 10 years ago. I bought them from Allsports where my mom used to get most of my sports equipment from. As the football season approached I needed some new boots. I was very lucky as my mom knowing how much football was important to me would always get me top of the range boots. I was spolit when it came to sports equipment.

After a bit of debating I decided on these Umbro' The leather was so soft it was untrue. It may have been Kanagaroo leather. They were endorsed by Alan Shearer and had his signature embroidered on the tongue. I took them home having cost my mom a good £60 and remember looking at them all night. I wore them in my room too they were so light and were like slippers. I did some kick ups in my room and remembered feeling great in them. I could not wait to wear them and play in them on the Sunday.

When I started playing they felt good. I had a good game and although at the time as a 15 year old you think you play better in good boots it was more a frame of mind to be honest. My first touch was good in these boots and this was down to the softness of the boot.

When I came off the pitch however I was gutted. The leather had come away quite a lot from the sole at the toes. They were not in a fit state for the next game and we had to take them back to the shop the next day. Because we were regular customers at Allsports there were no problems in exchanging them and they were very helpful. The next Sunday I wore the different Umbro boots. To my amazement the same thing happened. When we took them ack to the shop the guy did admit that quite a few people had discovered the same problem. I decided on a pair a puma Kings after this and of course as you would expect lasted me the whole season.

Not long after this I did not see a pair of these boots. Obviously the soft leather was too soft and not hard wearing enough. I write this review now because I have scene them recently in sports direct. A good 10 years since I last saw them. I picked them up and Umbro seem to have made some adjustments to them. he leather seems more stable and in the shop they were £50. I would like to think that Umbro have learnt from their mistakes. Although its not good news for Umbro as I will not be buying a pair again. It would be good to hear of other peoples experience with these boots to see if they have changed.

Summary: If you can afford a pair for every game then they are great