At the Nike T90 Laser IV launch…

As per my previous post about the Nike T90 Laser IV soccer boots/shoes (or football for the rest of us) here, I have finally got the chance to test drive the T90 Laser IV boots. Thanks to Milk PR (Sher, Jason and David) and Nike Malaysia for giving me the opportunity to experience the new boots myself.

The Perfect Strike? Definitely!

The launch was held at Wisma FAM Kelana Jaya last Thursday, complete with media briefing and demonstrations of the so-called ‘Rooney Challenge’, hands-on test of the T90 and some football pointers from the expert. Nike Malaysia decided to use the synthetic turf at the Wisma FAM for the media trial, for whatever reason.

This is the first time I’m joining Nike’s product launch and hopefully it’s not the last. It has been more than 30 years since I had my first Nike shoes, and it’s only now I had the opportunity to test the product officially, hahaha!

The event kicks off with the welcome note by Nike Malaysia’s Country Marketing Manager, Ms Joan Yeoh (nice meeting you!) and after viewing the Rooney Challenge’s video, the Laser IV’s technology is further explained by Nike Malaysia’s Product Specialist, Mr Cheng Yik Hoong (nice talking to you about the Laser III and IV).

The new T90 Laser IV

Anyway, let’s get back to the boots. The boots is Nike’s forth edition of the T90 series (hence the ‘IV’ moniker), and the technology involved is greater with every boots edition. For the T90 Laser IV, the tech involved:

• Having a lighter weight due to the new synthetic leather (seriously, it’s really light!);
• Redesigned from scratch;
• Adaptive shield design at forefoot;
• Enhanced fit and and feel for the wearer.

Check out the Adaptive Shield

Wanna know my take on the T90 after testing it? Read on:

• Well, what really surprise me is how light the boots compared to its older siblings. It’s really important for me, coming from a heavy player’s point of view. I don’t have to worry about dragging my feet around anymore. I can just run and concentrate on the game;
• The synthetic leather upper looks high tech and super strong, but still prone to scratches. But for day to day usage, you can always rely on the synthetic leather. Nike is offering a Kangalite version to those wanting a more natural feel of leather (black/white/yellow colourway), but I don’t know whether Nike Malaysia will bring that version in;

Grippy studs

• The fourteen studs are grippy, but be warned, as beginners will find the studs too grippy for their taste. The result will be a lot of tripping on field;
• The sweet spot is greater now, thanks to the position of the flexible strips and tiny fins near the sole;
• The fit is almost spot on. The Laser IV is redesigned from the ground up and it shows. I have fit problems in most boots like Adidas, Umbro and Puma, but the Laser IV minimised this problem for me.
• The Laser IV carries the ‘memory form’ technology from the III’s, and this is a good thing;
• I specially like the low heel counter, as a high heel counter might interfere with the flexibility of your heels;
• My only gripe is that the T90 Laser IV is too strikers-oriented. What really can it do for a defender like me?

Flexible and nimble

What can I say? I like the shoes very much! If only the price is lower, I will bet my bottom dollar that the Laser IV will flies off the shelves like karipaps, man! Hahaha! But given the efforts and technology put in the shoes, the premium price (RM 729) is somehow justify.

Almost perfect fit

Pros: Very light and strong; almost perfect fit; large sweet spots; full of tech; grippy.

Cons: Premium price; sizes are only available up to only UK10/US11 (in Malaysia); strikers-oriented boots; beginners might find this boots too advance for them (and best to avoid all together).

More photos of the event after the jump.

We're kitted up in T90 attire from head to toe!

Trying out the boots for size

Looks good visually too!

Nike Malaysia has converted the synthetic turf area at Wisma FAM Kelana Jaya as the trial place of the Laser IV

The current elusive Malaysia Home jersey is on show at the event. Too tight fit to some people. Might be good to offer larger sizes for options.

Same goes to the Away jersey. Did you noticed that the Malaysian team likes to wear the away jersey more than the home?

Introducing the Laser IV

Tiempo Legend IV Elite (as worn by Gerard Piqué)

Mercurial Superfly III (as worn by Cristiano Ronaldo) was there too

CTR360 Maestri II Elite (as previously worn by Wesley Sneijder)

The EPL ball also makes an appearance...

The new T90 Laser IV has a low heel counter, good for stabilising the heel without feeling discomfort

Some of the media at the event

Can you spot the Laser IV?

Yeah, that's our Laser IV boots!

Miss Yeoh giving her opening speech

Let's see whether the boots can stand scraping against the fence or not (hahaha!)

Mr Yik Hoong explaining the tech behind the Laser IV

The media can't wait to start the trial

Half a field and I'm already tired

Let's take a breather...

The photographers are also kitted in...

The lead trainer (Ben, if I'm not mistaken) is leading the warm-up

Two female members of the media becomes instant models (and they pretty too!)

Fully kitted with the T90

I'm not sure whether Nike has women-specific model for the Laser IV, but they looks good in it...

Nike's Ms Yeoh being interviewed by Astro Awani news team

The trainers at the Nike event

Yik Hoong showing the difference between the Laser III and Laser IV. Actually, both pairs are excellent football boots.

Thanks to everybody (Nike Malaysia and Milk PR) for inviting me to the event. More of those event, please!

Note: All photos are taken with Nikon D80. If you like to have the actual untouched photos (as above) of the event, please contact me via email.