Hi and welcome to Unisport WebTV,
Who are once again in review mode.
We have had countless requests to review the Platinum Vapor IX,
but there were also a lot who wanted a review of the new AG studs -
and we thought; "why not both?"
We'll review the Platinum boot with AG-studs.
What we will be looking at today, is how it stands out from the other Vapor IXs, which have SpeedControl.
At the same time we will be looking at how much this boot actually is a Vapor IX -
and of course also see how this AG stud-configuration fares.
All this is on the menu today, welcome!
Take off!
When Nike launched the Vapor IX, they showed us this new SpeedControl,
This golfball like surface, which increased your ball control -
and that was almost all that was different from the Vapor VIII,
but when you look at the Platinum Vapor IX,
then you will quickly see, that it has the same leathery finish and ACC, as the CR7 version of the Vapor VIII,
There has been just about "Zilch" changes to the upper,
Furthermore, there isn't a double fibreglass underneath the sole -
and Nike have kept this t-bar heel lining from the Vapor VIII,
but which they dumped on the Vapor IX.
In other words, there is a lot of Vapor VIII on this boot -
This also means, that the ball feel and touch is exactly the same as on the CR7 Vapor.
There's still ACC, which works really well and then it also has the tight and nice fit.
The upper is still nice and flexible and it's always a pleasure to play with -
it's all well and good and it's hard to criticise it,
but it's hardly like Nike just invented the wheel,
It's more like they took a wheel, which was working fine and painted it a different colour.
The boot is nice, but it's no revolution in boots.
It's more a Vapor VIII than it's a Vapor IX.
The studs here are AG-studs,
and they are very suitable for wearing on artificial grass, like the stuff I'm sitting on here,
but why is AG a good alternative to have in your arsenal, when looking at football boots -
one good reason is, that artificial grass is becoming a more and more popular surface,
but there are quite a few, (myself included I'm afraid) who play with FG studs,
but FG boots aren't really very good for use on artificial grass -
and there's a good reason for this.
Artificial grass is, as the name suggests, artificial,
this means, that these blades of grass are made of plastic.
Between the plastic blades, you find the small rubber granulates,
and they act as filler.
All of this is pilled on a couple of more layers,
and further down there's a layer of concrete.
This means that when you use FG boots on this surface,
then it is quite detrimental to the studs -
and the FG boots aren't made to withstand this kind of pressure,
Because when you push down with your studs into the artificial grass, then you compact it,
so it becomes more solid.
When stepping on regular grass, you break the blades instead -
This is why artificial grass wears down boots quicker -
and this is too much for FG boots to handle -
and this is also why you forsake your right to return when using FG on artificial grass -
and that's just another reason to think twice.
The main reason is however still injuries,
because when you play with FG studs on artificial grass, you get too much grip,
This means if you're doing small twists and turns, you can do some rather unhealthy things for your joints -
and worst case scenario result in some very nasty injuries,
where you distress, knees and other joints.
This can be avoided with AG studs.
This means you need an AG stud-configuration that works well -
and that's what Nike have tried here.
The question is, how does it perform?
Find out after a segment of loud techno music!
Whob, Whob, Whob, Whob!
The AG studs here do differ from the normal FG studs -
and the most noticeable difference is, that the studs are round,
at the same time, they are hollow, so they look like long rings.
They are however not so long, that they look like the ones on the FG system -
and this does mean the shock absorbency is drastically improved compared to the FG,
Simply because they are shorter, but also because there are more of them -
and this makes the pressure on your joints,
is dispersed over more studs and that makes it much more comfortable.
These studs are also much better for playing with, because they don't grip as much -
This means you don't hurt yourself as much as you would, especially when doing little twists and turns.
They have struck the balance well, because they still grip enough, even though they are a little shorter -
and especially the acceleration is good, with the two small studs here.
The acceleration isn't as aggressive as the FG configuration,
but instead the turns are much improved,
comfort wise the AG is also very much preferable to FG,
simply because you almost entirely diminish sore legs and joints when playing on artificial grass -
and it is much safer for you, to play with these, rather than the FG configuration.
Definitely recommended!
One last thing before we go, I have a little request,
The last two years we won the Danish award for "Users favourite" in the E-marketing award ceremony -
and this year we are again nominated -
and would love to make it a hattrick!
So if you haven't already done so, we would love for you to vote for us -
and you can do so, by following the link below and writing"Unisport.dk" in the voting field.
It would really mean the world to us, thank you very much for your support!
When we need to bring the verdict on the Vapor IX Platinum with AG studs,
then the upper is the same as on the Vapor VIII -
and that's why I'm mostly interested in the AG-studs -
and this stud-configuration delivers really well -
and is definitely to be preferred when playing on artificial grass.
This stud-configuration performs better,
has better comfort, is better for your health -
and then you get to keep your right to return, which is always a plus.
If you have the budget, it's definitely something you need in your life.
Plenty of praise for the AG-system from here.
about all of this it's just a Vapor VIII in disguise,
then I'm not quite sure what to think.
It's a bit silly, but if you liked the leather finish you'll probably enjoy the freedom of choice,
but then just call it a Vapor VIII.
Anyway this was what I thought of the Vapor IX Metallic Platinum/Black/Electric Green with AG studs,
but what are your thoughts? - and do you play with AG studs on artificial grass?
Please do tell in the box down below.
This is all I had for you today,
but I hope you're well until next we meet, here on Unisport WebTV!
You said you'd go right!
Well I was trying to trick you!