It grabs the attention as well. Were you conscious of that in the design process, not only creating the new technology, but also something that’s aesthetically pleasing as well? A two and a half year journey, and at the start of that you couldn’t have predicted a ‘Neymar’ coming into the PUMA family. Did that change the goal or the strategy at all?

The idea of putting Generation Z into a boot - what were the key things that stood out in the idea phase of design?Speaking of soft, expect some light padding around the heel area and the forefoot while other parts of the boot’s upper remain thin and bare. FL: In general we do a lot of research, a lot of focus groups, also with a lot of consumerists to really find out what’s the trend in the market place and what will be needed. We had a clear goal from the get-go, and we analysed the game and the players and next to speed I think agility is the key component that is needed in the modern game. So we clearly had the goal to develop a football boot that basically enhanced your playing style and we really wanted to target the agile playmakers. Also, in terms of positioning next to agile I think it’s pretty clear that we have two silos that also target different types of players.

Dynamic Motion System soleplate has a nice, stiff, and stable midfoot and a set of studs good for rotational movements; does feel working with the foot rather than against it; Would prefer Puma consider the soleplate purefly FG and recommends getting the MG for artificial ground

Who Wears Puma Future Football Boots?

FL: I would say that 90 percent of the players that we have asked and also the consumers, mentioned that fit is still key for them, so for them to perform at the highest levels they need to have a shoe that is basically ensuring a perfect fit and feels like a second skin. So that was our starting point and as you can see we have the really visible FUZIONFIT+ technology around the mid foot, and that was the centre of the design for us process. Puma claims that “the band was developed using a special combination of polyester and spandex yarns, along with special technical yarns to create the perfect balance of compression, comfort and durability, giving the wearer that second-skin feeling.” The first time I put the boots on, I thought the compression band was tight around my midfoot – if it was a little tighter, the band would have caused cramping in my feet. Within a couple of minutes of light jogging and warm ups, my concerns and the tightness melted away. The compression band is comfy AF. The Puma Future Z is all about mobility Has sleek shape with low toe box; less foam than Future Z 1.4 but still very comfortable and welcoming

Despite the major concept change, Puma’s bold new design has stayed true to the Future DNA by providing one of the best fitting and secure boots in recent years. With an improved design, top notch performance and a new star in Neymar promoting the boots, I’m sure the Puma Future Z will be a commercial success as much as it is a critical one. Designed for tomorrow’s superstars, these are the children’s versions of the Future, so players can wear boots that look like their favourite stars on pitch, but at a price point to keep parents happy. And finally, a little off topic, but Lilly, given that you are a female working at such a big level in what has previously been a very male-oriented field, do you see yourself as something of a role model? Previous Future compression band feels too concentrated on the midfoot; compression in new Future Z 1.3 feels evenly spread outSince the Puma Future is at the forefront of football boot innovation, they often involve a fairly hefty price tag. Although we’re now a few generations into this silo, even the earliest 18.1 models can be difficult to find on the cheap. Fit is really comfortable out of the box because of the super ridiculously soft mesh toe box; has a nice padded sensation because of the internal foam

It’s not a deal breaker but I’d like the TPU coating to be thinner and to have a little more knitted material on that upper to provide a more luxurious touch on the Puma Future Z. I did a Reus – I went laceless Forefoot has no structure and feels extremely soft and pliable; comfortable feel favourite part of Jay Mike about the Future

Why Should I Choose Them?

It’s in the Match where you’ll also find a dedicated laceless option on top of the usual laced model. Kids Future LC: In terms of the design from the initial stage as well, the Future boot is known to be quite unique, to look quite different and to have this new technology. So I mentioned before that after NetFit we needed something else that was even better and that was super-visible. Part of our briefing was also to have this new shape, and that is how the design started, but it also helped with my development, because I had a goal right fro the beginning to create a certain shape and to create a certain fit and that was what helped us focus, right to the end, and that’s what helped us create and develop this technology. LC: For sure I’d want to be a role model for people that want to do the same thing. I think development in general is something that not a lot of people know about. Even my friends think that I design the football boots! But designing, I can not do that at all; I can not draw! But development is my thing and I think people need to become a bit more aware and educated as to what a developer actually does to be able to realise that females can do that job as well. I think it’s really exciting, and that’s why I’m really happy to be doing interviews like this.