adidas and Nike Launch New Sock Football Boots

Brazil defender, Thiago Silva (Getty Images)

World famous brands adidas and Nike have already begun their battle ahead of this summer’s Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

adidas and Nike have launched new boots sporting radical new designs as the brands build up to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer. A week after revealing the first knitted football boot, adidas has unveiled the first all-in-one knitted boot and sock hybrid, while Nike has created Flynit technology with a ‘second-skin’, ankle design.

adidas’ limited edition Primeknit FS will be produced by in a black, white and red design, creating a ‘sock silhouette’ design that will also provide a second-skin feel from toe to calf. According to the brand the sock improves ball to foot touch compared to boots with traditional overlays, edges or laces.

On Thursday, the Germans revealed their limited edition Primeknit FS, which will come in a black, white and red design and is the world’s first all-in-one knitted football boot and sock hybrid.

And after the launch, Senior VP for Global Football at adidas, Markus Baumann, said: “Following the launch last week of the adidas Samba Primeknit, the world’s first knitted football boot, we’re excited to be able to give the World a glimpse into the future of our products.

“The introduction of the adidas Primeknit FS is only the latest chapter of adidas football products and further cements our place as the pioneer of footballing innovation.”

Meanwhile, Nike are keeping details of the launch of their own Magista boot closely under wraps, although Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan has described the new boot as “futuristic” and Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho called them “a true revolution”.

The Magista also features a new mid-cut Dynamic Fit Collar for a more locked-down fit and increased awareness of the body’s movements and interaction with the ground and the ball.

For the first time ever, Nike will supply kit to more teams than its rivals adidas at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Nike, who entered the football market in the 1990s, will be providing kit for 10 teams at this year's finals - Australia, Brazil, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Netherlands, South Korea and United States, as well as renewing its partnership with Portugal earlier this week.

adidas, who announced this week that CEO Herbert Hainer would continue in his role until at least 2017, has dropped to eight teams from 10 in 2010, but does include reigning champions Spain, as well as Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria and Russia.