Characteristics of soccer shoe upper materials

Characteristics of soccer shoe upper materials

When choosing sports shoes, soccer has completely different requirements from running, basketball, and tennis in terms of uppers. After all, the uppers of soccer shoes will come into contact with the ball and must be durable. However, soccer shoe uppers are made of different materials, such as PU, polyurethane, cowhide, and mesh uppers. With so many styles, the upper materials of soccer shoes must not only provide adequate protection and breathability, but also be not too bulky. They also need to have good softness to ensure that when in contact with the ball, the player can feel the ball close to the foot, so as to ensure that the accuracy of dribbling, passing, and shooting will not be affected by the upper. Therefore, different soccer shoe upper materials have different functions.

1. PU soccer shoe upper

PU material is the surface of polyurethane, which is a layer of plastic pressed on the base fabric. The characteristics of PU leather football shoes are that the upper is smoother, it feels lighter when worn, the leather is thinner, and the protection of the feet is sufficient. Compared with other materials, football shoes with PU uppers are not easily soaked by rain and make the shoes heavier. Because PU leather is light and durable, it is mass-produced, making football shoes with PU uppers cheaper.

2. Natural leather

Natural leather is more expensive than PU, but natural leather has a soft touch, and the touch is better than other materials when dribbling, passing, and shooting. It is also more breathable and protects the player's feet very well. Players will feel that their feet are wrapped when wearing them. However, football shoes made of genuine leather may be thicker and may not be suitable for players who like lightness and flexibility. In addition, the waterproofness of natural leather is not as good as other materials.

3. Air mesh

Air Mesh is a large mesh material with a slightly retro appearance. The characteristics of mesh upper football shoes are excellent breathability and high actual durability. This light and breathable mesh upper makes players more comfortable when wearing and better control of the ball. Because the Air Mesh leather is thinner and fits closely to the foot, combined with the light body, it allows players to run more agilely on the field, which is suitable for players who pursue speed.