Forget for a minute who these boots are aimed at – the EnergySling is a fantastic piece of kit for anyone, anywhere on the pitch. Even with a pretty consistent base, Adidas has modified several key elements of these boots to really differentiate them from other releases, and in turn that has affected how they break in. For example, the soleplate is the same one used on all other modern Adidas releases – except this one features EnergyPulse technology built into the sole. Its purpose is to provide rebound (you can read more about that in the section below) but it starts out extremely stiff. Bending the boots actually proves extremely difficult to do and that transcends into play. It took a few wears before they loosened up to a more natural state, but even at that they still help a stiff feel that Adidas has intended. With the Nitrocharge being aimed at ‘The Engine Player’, the new Energy Sling aims to provide more support to the box-to-box player who needs to change direction without losing time.

The boots arrived in a size 9 US which is a half size smaller than I normally wear, and I can definitely say that they fit true to size, while my toes were crushed with the boots, they were a bit more snug than I prefer. The boots also came across a bit on the narrow side, I don’t know if the 2.0’s Energy Sling had anything to do with that but, without a doubt I haven’t worn a pair of boots looser than I did the Nitrocharge 2.0’s. In the forefoot, you’ll find adidas’ HybridTouch – adidas premier synthetic leather. HybridTouch has become a favourite since debuting on the Predator LZ, demonstrating leather-like grain and softness but with great shape retention, malleability and water-resistance. How adidas have managed to get a boot with so many components to look so unified in style and theme is completely beyond me.Ex display: These boots are new in box but the left boot has been briefly displayed so has some minor fading/discolouration and they may have been briefly tried on. The fading is only noticeable close up and the boots are otherwise 'as new' with tags attached and in their original box. Please see all images after the the first image for photos of the exact boots on sale, including side by side comparisons. More or less a Predator LZ without any zones int he forefoot, we finally get to see what HybridTouch synthetic leather is capable of when used in it’s purest form on the NitroCharge; and the answer is: it’s phenomenal.

Given that the Nitrocharge silo is designed for the player who is “the engine” of a soccer team and given that the boot I was testing is the second tier release (falls under the category: Economical), I was curious if the boot would be “the economy engine”.The mesh midfoot and quarter will break in and stretch with no qualms, whilst the rubber EnergySling and uninterrupted KangaTouch give the Nitro‘s the most suitable fits of all adidas’ boots for players with wide feet. The EnergyPulse Does Soften Up– One of the main concerns we highlight in the video is that the adidas NitroCharge 1.0‘s new EnergyPulse in the forefoot is a little rigid out the box. In terms of shooting, it really is in the right spot across the strikezone and it is in a position where you can strike the ball with it. Does it add more power? That is definitely not definitive and it would be extremely difficult to prove. But because it is a rubber material, there has to be some natural rebound effect. Realistically, I’d say there is a lot more of a placebo effect to this one – so I will leave it to individual players who wear the boots to determine! Striking Shots, Playing Passes

The Nitrocharge boot is noticeably heavier than adidas' F50 adiZero (which comes in at 165 grams) but it is by no means heavy. The SPRINTFRAME outsole with its clever engineering, use of molded nylon, and hollow studs helps keep the weight figure down while the mesh half of the upper helps serve that purpose as well. The outsole is also noticeably stiffer than the F50 and the adiPower Predator before it. Where does it fit into the adidas line-up? What’s other boots is it meant to perform like? Is it worth having a fourth silo? You’ll be able to see the adidas NitroCharge 1.0 on the feet of Xabi Alonso and Dani Alves from this week, with Bayern Munich’s third lung Javi Martinez and Borussia Dortmund’s workhorse Sven Bender bringing them to the Champions League final at Wembley. Created by adidas for the engine, the player that fuels the team with relentless intensity from start to finish, these Nitrocharge 1.0 FG football boots boost every move on firm ground with extra energy. Would I Buy? If I were on a budget absolutely! However, my introduction to the series has further piqued my curiosity about the Nitrocharge 1.0.The mesh even holds up well in the wet, thanks to some clever use of lining by adidas. Moisture is prevented from entering the boot with a waterproof, frictionless liner in the heel quarter, so even if water does run into the boot, it won’t necessarily cause rubbing. The real benefit, in my opinion, is the dampening provided by the rubber. In similar fashion to a suspension system, rubber actually soaks in energy and reduces the amount of vibration. What you get is a more smooth and comfortable ride without unnecessary movement. This is something I definitely noticed as the boots seem to really sit closer to your feet right through wear. Compared to other boots, there is a difference, even if it is very minimal. adidas currently have three boot ranges the ‘control’ range Predator, the ‘speed’ range F50 adiZero and the ‘heritage’ range adiPure 11Pro and the new ‘power’ nitrocharge boot will make it the German brand’s fourth when it will be released in June this year. The nitrocharge boot features a new ENERGYPULSE which is a high elastic forefoot element offering premium energy output when shooting and the ENERGYSLING is an elastic rubber sling which offers superb stability and elasticity. Nitrocharge 1.0 And, of course, there’s the EnergyPulse– the ECG-inspired reenforcement to the soleplate is more immediately rigid than any other adidas boot with a SprintFrame.

In true Adidas form, these are consistent with the rest of their boots and very much true to size. The mesh are from the midfoot around the heel provides a sneaker like fit, where the upper has the ability to really form naturally around your foot. Because of the addition of the EnergySling, you get a slightly different fit through the forefoot, as the opening between the lacing and EnergySling creates a sort of wedge effect across your foot.adidas have the option of playing it safe in this department with every new boot they release thanks to the love for the SprintFrame chassis – but on the NitroCharge, they’ve opted to switch things up a bit with two key innovations. After having a chance to wear the NitroCharge 1.0 for a few weeks, we’re certainly impressed with what seems to be one of adidas’ best all-around boot launches in quite some time. Seeing as I am a more offensively minded player, I have been sitting on this review for a longer period than I normally would, in an effort to really get a feel for how they perform over time and in an extended period of play. Would I Buy Them: Even as a winger, I would definitely consider these boots. My only issue is the higher price tag. In my opinion, these should sit in around the same price range as a boot like the adiPure.