Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Other Gear => Topic started by: bk on March 30, 2016, 10:52:32 AM

Title: SL22 Comparison
Post by: bk on March 30, 2016, 10:52:32 AM
Son has just received 2 pairs of SL22s from Specialist Sports. Thought I'd post some pics for comparison.

(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af94/btk66/IMG_2160.jpg) (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/btk66/media/IMG_2160.jpg.html)
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af94/btk66/IMG_2161.jpg) (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/btk66/media/IMG_2161.jpg.html)
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af94/btk66/IMG_2162.jpg) (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/btk66/media/IMG_2162.jpg.html)
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af94/btk66/IMG_2164.jpg) (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/btk66/media/IMG_2164.jpg.html)
(http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af94/btk66/IMG_2163.jpg) (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/btk66/media/IMG_2163.jpg.html)

Both Uppers are the same - looks like a football boot, synthetic material with lots of ventilation on the outside of the shoe whilst maintaining strength on inside and toe sections. What stands out is the weight. The spiked version are still very light but the Boost are like marathon trainers. They are almost like slippers. The foam is obviously different between the two but the standard SL22s are still among the best I've seen. 
The Boost version have a rigid sole. It doesn't fold like a trainer and looks ideally suited to long days in the field, wicket keeping or batting and bowling on dry pitches. Even though they've got a good looking "stud" layout I don't think they'd be suitable for a wet seamer in early season.
Overall I think the Boost are a great innovation but wouldn't be suitable as your only pair for English conditions. The standard SL22s are a superb all-rounder and, unless you're an out and out pace bowler look the best single option this year.

Will report back after further road-testing.

Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: ItsJustCricket on March 30, 2016, 02:27:38 PM
Agree with a lot said here. They are both brilliant shoes. Adidas actually claim that the Boost spikes increase grip - so I suppose that road testing will be the best way to find that out!

We will be doing a full video review of the Boost shoes tomorrow - so for more info on them, wait for that one tomorrow!

CBD
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: GoodLeave on March 30, 2016, 06:01:49 PM
Looks like my (As yet unused) Puma EvoSpeed's will have to be my back up pair... Looking forward to the video review from IJC.

Sodding Cricket... Why couldn't I have taken up bowls!
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on March 31, 2016, 02:12:17 PM
I have got the SL22 boosts, we have our first outdoor session tomorrow so I will know how good they are on a pretty wet outfield. Our ground is what you might call basic, so if they are ok on that they will be pretty good during the rest of the season. I'm a keeper if my name wasn't obvious. Can't see fast bowlers using them but others might be fine.

I've had to get a size 12, I'm usually an 11, as I have pretty wide feet. I was wearing them around the house like the loser I am and and found them so comfortable.

Now I've talked them up I will report back too.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Vitas Cricket on March 31, 2016, 02:26:51 PM
Mine are now safely nestled in my kitbag. Ever so light.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: FattusCattus on March 31, 2016, 07:34:12 PM
Are these still £100 plus?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Percy on April 01, 2016, 11:55:27 AM
I will be very interested to see what the levels of grip are like with these and if they can be used as an all-round shoe,  or are going to be just for batting. I like "boost" trainers so I have no doubt they will be comfortable.

Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on April 01, 2016, 07:50:58 PM
Used the SL22 Boosts this evening. Our ground was pretty soft as it has poor drainage, it is in Derbyshire and it rained a lot this week. Only slipped where people wearing full spikes slipped and generally found them as good if not better than my old asics. I think on in normal conditions they will be excellent.

It will be interesting to see how they cope when I stand up to the wicket on a damp day. Our strips are very loamy, with normal spikes I had to keep knocking the mud off.

Hope that is helpful.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: smilley792 on April 01, 2016, 08:08:39 PM
Used the SL22 Boosts this evening. Our ground was pretty soft as it has poor drainage, it is in Derbyshire and it rained a lot this week. Only slipped where people wearing full spikes slipped and generally found them as good if not better than my old asics. I think on in normal conditions they will be excellent.

It will be interesting to see how they cope when I stand up to the wicket on a damp day. Our strips are very loamy, with normal spikes I had to keep knocking the mud off.

Hope that is helpful.

How's the ground looking? Be fit for the 16th?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on April 02, 2016, 08:56:53 AM
As good as it ever is. Hopefully have a decent dry week and we will be fine. Be kind to us.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: smilley792 on April 02, 2016, 09:46:13 AM
As good as it ever is. Hopefully have a decent dry week and we will be fine. Be kind to us.

Your a good side, you'll give us as good as we give you, didn't play but was told last seasons cup game was a very close affair!

Always look forward to playing at calver. Very nice little village, never done anything there though. Lol
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on April 04, 2016, 08:43:58 AM
The ground didn't look great yesterday. Still very wet and soft. Our groundsman isn't all that confident we will be ready for the 16th.

To get back to topic slightly this makes me think that the shoes probably performed better than I thought on Friday. The grass was fairly long so didn't quite appreciate how soft it was.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: bk on April 04, 2016, 12:59:50 PM
Feedback from first long fielding session is that the Boost outperformed the SL22 spikes. Ground was v flat and grass short but other kids in spikes slipped as they changed direction quickly. Boosts gave great traction and didn't clog up with grass and mud. Also v comfortable for keeping and seemed to give a "boost" to dives and quick foot movements.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on April 04, 2016, 01:39:46 PM
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I was surprised how little mud needed knocking off once we had finished.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: AndrewS on April 05, 2016, 09:03:48 AM
Picked up the Boosts too (went for a size up on last years SL22s as got caught out on the Adidas sizing which was my main reason for swapping).

Not worn them outside but feel great in that they don't feel like a cricket shoe. My only concern is the longevity of the outside of the big toe on the back foot (where you roll your foot when batting). The standard SL22 is much more robust in this area. I've already lost a few pairs of trainers from indoor nets that have a similar finish to the boost but I guess time will tell.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Buzz on April 05, 2016, 10:20:42 AM
Andrew, you shouldn't be rolling your back foot.  !
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: AndrewS on April 05, 2016, 10:29:19 AM
Possibly the wrong word, more pivoting as below. Obviously one of us probably has a better technique than the other.

(http://i.imgur.com/9gwYCqO.jpg)
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: icewolf on April 06, 2016, 03:44:34 PM
Just received mine and just looking at the sole I am not confident that the grip would be as good as the normal spikes but like others have mentioned they are great so could only test that in the ground ;) I think the pointy things in the sole are not sharp enough to damage any matts? But the great thing is they are very light weight...just wow...same as my running trainers.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Silver Bullet on April 06, 2016, 07:26:11 PM
Anyone know is the Boost can be worn on artificial surfaces ?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Woodyspin on April 06, 2016, 07:46:02 PM
apparently not reccomended by adidas
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: icewolf on April 07, 2016, 02:50:24 PM
apparently not reccomended by adidas

I dont think so, not because of those spikes are sharp or anything but because thats hard plastic and would be slippery on artificial surfaces.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: i12breakfree on April 07, 2016, 04:19:04 PM
and these are not cheap that one can just buy to try it out :)
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Vitas Cricket on April 07, 2016, 04:42:23 PM
I suspect it will more to do with the nature of the artificial surface. It may well cause the soleplate to wear quite quickly.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: brokenbat on April 07, 2016, 04:45:09 PM
I suspect it will more to do with the nature of the artificial surface. It may well cause the soleplate to wear quite quickly.

ok so maybe not good for cement...but perhaps workable on a matted or astroturf pitch?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Vitas Cricket on April 07, 2016, 04:48:30 PM
ok so maybe not good for cement...but perhaps workable on a matted or astroturf pitch?

It was astro/matting i was thinking of. The nature of this surface means an awful lot of friction (compared to grass or even a rock hard cricket square) which will wear the soleplate in my opinion.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: brokenbat on April 07, 2016, 05:02:41 PM
It was astro/matting i was thinking of. The nature of this surface means an awful lot of friction (compared to grass or even a rock hard cricket square) which will wear the soleplate in my opinion.

actually thats a good point. I use the asics "soft resin" replacement studs, and have to put in new ones twice a year. they get gobbled up pretty quickly.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: bk on April 07, 2016, 06:39:05 PM
The orange sole is really tough and the 'spikes' are sharp . They're more like a blade football/rugby boot than an astro sole.


Adidas had to develop a new material as they couldn't bond a normal studded sole to the Boost foam. These would definitely tear up normal outdoor nets and probably be very slippery.


Early feedback is that these are actually grippier than the normal SL22s on grass
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: GoodLeave on April 15, 2016, 05:39:54 PM
SL22 Boost are £90 @ All Rounder this weekend Only (allegedly). Bargain, if you're willing to wait 300 years for them to show up.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on April 18, 2016, 12:24:54 PM
Played my first game in them yesterday and they were great. Outfield was very soft and the wicket cut up quickly and I had no problems. Also the mud didn't stick to them so kept grip all the time unlike my old spikes where I had to keep knocking the mud off in wetter conditions.

Just thought people might like to know.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Cover_Drive on April 18, 2016, 02:53:40 PM
It was astro/matting i was thinking of. The nature of this surface means an awful lot of friction (compared to grass or even a rock hard cricket square) which will wear the soleplate in my opinion.

Good point, does this at least means that it won't rip the astro/matting? Nor get stuck in matting?

Because that's what I/we play on and I am looking to justify a reason to buy them. I don't mind them wearing off because at least that would be after use!!
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: bk on April 18, 2016, 05:48:48 PM
They'll be as useful as ice skates for astro use. Think of the sole as similar to moulded soccer boots. It's rigid, the spikes are solid (and sharp) and you'll probably end up injured after performing a couple of triple axels. I really wouldn't recommend trying it. Grass traction, on the other hand, is superb and I think they're better on longer damp grass as well as shorter outfields. 
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: richthekeeper on April 22, 2016, 12:37:10 PM
Do these fit true to size or are they typical Adidas - quite small fitting?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: HallamKeeper on April 24, 2016, 07:56:24 AM
I'm a wide 11 so went for the 12s and they are fine.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: AndrewS on April 24, 2016, 12:33:10 PM
I'm a 10, had a 10 in the SL22 last year and found them too narrow. Went for an 11 this year and fit very well.

Used mine for the first time yesterday, great grip in the field and like trainers when batting so very happy.

Downside, the tongue has already started to come away from where it joins the shoe so will be looking to sort a replacement.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: bk on April 24, 2016, 01:54:59 PM
Further update. 4 pairs seen at Academy training this morning. All players claim they're superb for batting, fielding and spin bowling. Not really suitable for seam bowling. If you're a trundler you'll be better off with the standard SL22s or the Vectors

Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: azim91 on June 13, 2016, 06:51:51 PM
so as a medium pacer, go for the standard sl22?? I want the shoes to be fairly light, but I'm mostly a batsman and a fielder who occasionally bowls the odd 5/6 overs. How to they compare with the asics gel odi/advance range in terms of weight? anyone have any idea?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Sivlar13 on June 23, 2016, 05:34:45 PM
Just found these: Marcus Trescothick getting these done I think, was on his Twitter anyway. Looks like a very good way to go.

(http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Joshua_Sivier/Mobile%20Uploads/85E13F9B-925B-447D-896A-7480FEEC2A28_zpsbkf2oafm.jpg) (http://s1045.photobucket.com/user/Joshua_Sivier/media/Mobile%20Uploads/85E13F9B-925B-447D-896A-7480FEEC2A28_zpsbkf2oafm.jpg.html)
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Vitas Cricket on June 23, 2016, 05:42:27 PM
The reason adidas didn't put spikes on the boost sole is the boost material doesn't bond properly with a traditional soleplate.

The layer of boost under the balls of the feet and toes is pretty thin as it is. Sanding it down to get a soleplate glued/stitched on isn't a good idea in my opinion.

I have had zero problems when batting, keeping or fielding in mine, on rock hard squares and glass outfields as well as lush green bogs.
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: GoodLeave on July 01, 2016, 07:17:58 PM
All Rounder with a sale on at the minute. These down to £80... Gel Advance 6's down to £68.

Shame the only place anyone is wearing spikes at the moment is in the house...
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Mtown Don on August 12, 2016, 07:41:08 AM
Are our resident retailers able to an early insight into whether there will be any updates (aesthetic or technical) to the Boosts for next season? @Vitas Cricket @VKS
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Vitas Cricket on August 12, 2016, 08:41:48 AM
Are our resident retailers able to an early insight into whether there will be any updates (aesthetic or technical) to the Boosts for next season? @Vitas Cricket @VKS

Just colour changes to the Adidas range for 2017
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Woodyspin on August 12, 2016, 10:11:20 AM
Can you comment what colour?
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: TGB1997 on August 12, 2016, 10:55:21 AM
Just colour changes to the Adidas range for 2017
Will this be all the Adidas boots or just the SL22 range, need to decide if I will buy another pair of this years vectors or get next years colour way if there's no technical changes
Title: Re: SL22 Comparison
Post by: Vitas Cricket on August 12, 2016, 10:58:10 AM
Will this be all the Adidas boots or just the SL22 range, need to decide if I will buy another pair of this years vectors or get next years colour way if there's no technical changes

The whole range remains the same barring colour alterations. I can't comment on what the colours will be yet, but these will launch soon enough.