In previous posts we talked about the upper in futsal, one of the most important areas of a sports shoe. But in this case our focus has changed its target. In this case, we're going to take a closer look at another crucial part of our speciality's footwear: the midsole. This area is responsible for protecting the player with each step, absorbing, as far as possible, the impact of each action so that it does not fall directly on our joints. But what materials do the brands use for this section of the shoe, come with us to find out.
The first material we will look at is pre-moulded EVA. This polymer is the most used material nowadays due to its low cost and the numerous properties it provides. This product increases the shock absorption, response and durability of the shoes, achieving an excellent ally as far as cushioning is concerned. Models such as the Mizuno Sala Classic 2 IN futsal shoe or the classic Kelme Precision rely on this product for stability and cushioning.
If we move on to talk about the giant of the three stripes, we will see that its star product is the boost technology. This material, directly inherited from athletics, provides an optimal transfer of energy with every stride on and off the track. The small polyurethane capsules work by absorbing the energy generated when hitting the ground and use it to give us momentum with each step. In short, it makes our footprint reactive. We can see this technology in shoes like the adidas Ace Tango 17+ Purecontrol IN.
Another of the big brands in futsal is Nike. The American company has been making specific footwear for this speciality for many years now. Shoes ranging from the medium-high profile of the TiempoX range to the medium-low profile of the MercurialX. But if we talk about the midsole in the futsal product range of the swoosh brand, we have to talk about its star material: the Lunarlon. This firm and soft foam offers the perfect balance between shock absorption, stability and response without losing any comfort. An example of a shoe with this technology is the Nike MagistaX Finale II IC. But in addition to Lunarlon, Nike also has Air Zoom cushioning technology that converts the pressure of each step into energy for the next movement. Of Nike's product range, only the HypervenomX Finale and Proximo silo are equipped with Air Zoom.
New Balance, on the other hand, has been in the futsal market for less time than its fellow countryman Nike. But its range of products has quickly positioned itself among the top brands with high quality shoes such as the New Balance Audazo Pro, its top of the range. This model relies on REVLite, the American company's exclusive technology, for its cushioning. This is a foam compound that provides the same cushioning, response and durability as compounds such as EVA but about 30% lighter.
As we can see, the variety of midsole products is quite wide. However, the cushioning it provides also has its downsides. In most cases, more cushioning means more separation of the player from the pitch. This elevation will make contact with the ball less natural. This is why we must choose the profile that best suits our needs: a high profile with more cushioning or a low profile for a greater feeling of contact with the ball. In short, if we want to eliminate the distractions that could cause us pain caused by the game, the choice of one type of profile or another should be the first bias to make when buying our footwear. We must protect our greatest asset: the player.
Remember that you can buy all the futsal shoes on the Fútbol Emotion website by clicking on the following link:
