#KamiReviewKan PUMA Future 18.1 - Netfit Whatever You Like

Around mid 2017, I got back on the football field after a long hiatus due to injury. Without owning any pair of football boots for a long, long time. Occasionally borrowing them from friends and stitching up old football boots. Did decide to finally own a pair, but that journey took a long while. I had my eyes on the PUMA Evopower Vigor 1 and the Nike Tiempo Legend 7 as it can accommodate my wide feet as well as after lightly testing my respective friends pair of them. I was committed, until I heard rumbles of a new football boots from PUMA. So I decided to wait a bit to see what’s what.

Behold the PUMA Future 18.1. Launched and circulated among known football boot reviewers on YouTube around November 2017, like Unisport among many. I must say, I was attracted with the concept of the football boot. Especially the netfit lacing system.

However, I had to wait until February 1, 2018 to physically hold the boots in my hands when it arrived at the local PUMA. Held it, tried it on. Totally convinced on getting the football boots. However priced at RM879.00 retail, I had to wait a just little longer for my wages. Unfortunately when I earned enough resources, my size 8UK was sold out! Thankfully my friend, Empayarkasut.my on Instagram knew I was itching to own them, helped me out to find the right size, and almost immediately, I owned a pair of the PUMA Future 18.1.

Been wearing the boots for a total of eight times since mid February 2018. I absolutely love them. Don’t worry, being in love with the boots doesn’t mean I am blind to it flaws. I will be honest with them, noticing flaws doesn’t mean it is bad, it means there’s room for improvement for the PUMA Future 19.1.

When you purchase the PUMA Future, the boots is already laced up like a standard football boots. It does have a guide on the lacing system if you have wide feet, narrow feet, if you like a cleaner striking surface & etc. It will take a lot of trial and error. Depending on your patience for netfitting. Know that your patience will be rewarded. Basically, netfit whatever you like.

In the age of high cut boots, the EvoKnit sock is ridiculously comfortable and no-nonsense. It shapes well around your ankle. The transition from sock to football, cosy. But be warned if you lace quite a bit on the heel part of the boot, and you have wide feet it will take you a longer to snug in, like 5 - 10 seconds longer. It can be an issue for some people.

Wearing the boot when playing a game of football. Such a comfortable pair of synthetic football boots. The touch is interesting because of the Netfit system, how it covers the whole upper. The texture and grip does feels like the first Nike Magista Obra, but more complex in a good way because of the honeycomb shaped netfit upper. The toe box is so buttery soft, striking the ball for a cross field pass or towards goal, feels so good.

Soleplate wise, PUMA opted to go for an AG / FG or Artificial Ground & Firm Ground hybrid stud configuration. Which means you can used it on both Artificial & Frim (natural) pitch. So in Malaysia, especially in the Klang Valley region, where artificial pitches are popping all over the place. It is a worthy investment to have. You can use them at an artificial grass football field today, and you can still use them on a standard natural grass football field later that day. No issues.

Side note, I will write a piece on the importance of getting the right football boot studs on for the right playing surface.

Overall, I love the PUMA Future 18.1 Netfit. At the retail price of RM879.00 ONLY compared to the other high end football boot model which are price at more than RM1,000. You can get a lot of bang for your buck. Can’t wait to see what PUMA has in store for the future, in the future.