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Football Boot Review: Warrior Skreamer Pro

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LFC Warrior bootsLIVERPOOL FC’s new American kit manufacturer Warrior arrived on the footballing scene last year with all the subtlety of a Jamie Carragher ‘row Z’ clearance. The kits they’ve produced so far for our beloved club have endured a certain love/hate relationship with us, the fans, but what about their first foray into the world of football boot manufacturing?

Taking a more subtle approach this time round? That’s not Warrior’s style.

When pictures first emerged of their flagship boot, the Warrior Skreamer Pro, more eyebrows were raised and another ‘love/hate’ media frenzy ensued. If it’s attention they wanted, it’s attention they’ll get. But at the end of the day, they are a football boot – so how do they actually perform?

Luckily enough, I was sent over a pair to see how they stand up to the uneven pitches of Merseyside.

Fashion v Function

Launched for both professional and amateur players around the world, the Warrior Skreamer Pro shouldn’t just be defined by a case of Fashion v Function; though first impressions are difficult to shake and it’s hard to get your head around the ‘fashion’, even before considering the ‘function’ elements.

The visuals of the boot certainly make an impact, and they were the focus of the usual pre-game changing room banter: ‘you need to be good to get away with wearing those coloured boots’, usually reserved for those wearing the garish-coloured pink or white other brand of boot. The impact and uniqueness of their style then led to intrigue – and this is when the first practical aspect comes to the fore, when physically exploring the boot.

These boots are lightweight. Really, really lightweight. Once on, they’re so comfortable they feel like slippers – to my surprise however, they actually feel durable and secure. Moving around in them feels like the boots are an extension of your foot. The inner grip keeps your foot secured in place, but remains flexible when running and turning. This was a huge ‘1-up’ over my recent expensively purchased Adidas Predator LZ’s which I find totally inflexible and unforgiving, when attempting to turn quickly.

Skreamer-Arrow-UpperAnother plus on the Skreamer’s side is the touch and striking of the ball, which feels so natural. A lot of science has gone into this boot but for all the attention-grabbing design, the science remains understated in its function – hence the natural feeling. Again, I find this in direct contrast to the Predator LZ.

One slightly strange design element is the ‘Murderhole technology’, which is basically just two holes in the heel section of the boot.

Warrior claim that this is to help adjust the boot into place, however a few sharp tugs give the impression that these hole may tear open.

My only other criticism of the boot is, well, not of the boot, but of the bootbag they come with; it seems to be made out of something akin to a cheap potato sack. Not great for placing muddy, wet boots in, and I’d expect slightly more quality from a range that is in the higher end of the price bracket.

However, after putting them through some of the most extreme conditions amateur footballers will come across, from snow/ice and gale-force winds at Buckley Hill, to the mud-baths in Halewood, the Skreamer stood up to all surfaces (even 3G artificial pitches!) and passed with flying multi colours!

So, overall an excellent football boot debut by Warrior. If the colour/design is not your thing, I recommend you to look beyond the ‘fashion’; if you do you’ll be pleasantly surprised by everything else these boots have to offer, whether you play pro, semi-pro or amateur. Just don’t forget to buy your own bootbag…

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Jimmy Areabi (Editor) - @fantasista1077: Huyton raised like Steven Gerrard, football has been my passion since the time I received a Kenny Dalglish badge as a toddler, and I've followed the Reds ever since – something that was easier during the 80s, when I worshipped John Barnes! I've produced work for many football media outlets & am now happy to run a major site on the club I love - providing our fans with a voice, and to bring as much information and news on the club as possible.
Having played football all my life, I aim to continue longer than Stanley Matthews...
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