Sportlifestyle company PUMA AG announces the launch of the POWERCAT Football collection, which includes performance boots, jerseys, gloves, shin-guards and a ball. Following on the heels of the PUMA SPEED Collection, introduced in October 2009, the POWERCAT Collection debuts for the Spring Summer 2010 football season and will be worn by PUMA sponsored teams, Italy, Switzerland and Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup 2010â„¢ tournament.
The POWER collection takes its inspiration from idea of ‗raw‘ football, harkening back to a player‘s primal instincts of fight versus flight. The collection is designed for each player to maximize his or her ‗fight‘ instinct – when lining up for the national anthem, preparing for a challenge or most importantly when making contact with the ball. Each product in the collection is inspired by the fearless attitude of the great white shark, the determination of a World Champion heavyweight boxer and the sleek, engineered look of a modern superhero. PUMA‘s POWERCAT PowerCat Collection, in the seasonal colorways, will be available at select PUMA retail stores and at www.puma.com.
“’Courage to be Bold’ is the main statement of the POWERCAT collection, which revolves around PUMA’s concept of raw football, said Filip Trulsson Senior Manager, International Teamsport Business Unit. In 2010 PUMA Football‘s attention has been focused on the psychology of players wearing the product. The main objectives are about delivering products that would trigger raw reactions of the players to make them both invincible and intimidating.
PowerCat 1.10 Boot
The PowerCat 1.10 Boot uses PUMA 3D Power Shooting Technology which delivers unique rebound properties. The Springtech foam in the shark-like gills on the side of the boot are engineered to enhance every shot by putting extra power behind the ball as it catapults off the shoe. This means the boot intentionally does not absorb the typical amount of energy upon impact with the ball, allowing more power to be released with every shot.
The kicking area is made of a soft, thin leather and a synthetic microfiber around the quarter area, keeping the boot lightweight and easy to perform in. The bladed studs are configured to ensure smooth ground penetration and pressure distribution as well as maximum traction and maneuverability.
PowerCat 1.10 Kit
The new PowerCat 1.10 jersey harnesses the power and determination of both a white shark and a world champion heavyweight boxer. The kit uses technology specifically designed for footballers to give players the courage to be bold.
By using the new 3D Motion Analysis technology, performance products can be designed to ensure a player uses minimal energy while moving the upper body, reserving and redirecting that energy to where it‘s needed most—in this case, the feet. The jersey also uses an engineered mesh, or ‗battle skin‘, that enhances breathability, giving players more comfort and freedom with each movement. The collar and arms feature power cutlines, giving the jersey a striking look that emphasizes the strength of the chest and arms.
The shorts–inspired by both football and boxing–feature a boxer-like belt as the waistband. The shorts also have mesh gussets for improved ventilation and additional freedom of movement. The final piece to the kit, the socks, have a shaped footbed to provide support and protection for high-stress regions, along with mesh inserts to provide breathability and an exaggerated definition of the calf muscle.
PowerCat Glove
The PowerCat 1.10 Glove continues PUMA‘s history of producing top-of-the-line goalkeeper gloves and adds a punch of power.
The PUMA Flexible Finger Protection System allows goalkeepers to adjust the individual protection levels for each finger with a specially engineered ‗spine‘ that keepers can adjust. The POWER Wrist has two-directional silicon straps for added support and stability. The PowerCat 1.10 Glove gets a thrust of power with PUMA‘s new power foam featured on the backhand. This padding compresses slower than it expands, giving keepers more power when punching away incoming shots on goal.
PowerCat Guard
The POWER concept is further reflected in PUMA‘s extensive PowerCat guard. The shark gill effect is carried throughout the shin-guard, offering the ‗shape and fit‘ customization and guaranteeing a perfect fit every game.
PowerCat 1.10 Ball
The PowerCat 1.10 Ball is the latest innovation from PUMA‘s award winning design and development Equipment team. The ball has been in testing for the past six months with Sheffield University, as well as three select top division teams in Europe. The ball excels in flight characteristics, shape and anti-absorption properties, as well as the all-important the touch and feel experience.
