Topic: SL22 Comparison (Read 10026 times)

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.

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.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #1 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

GoodLeave · « **Reply #2 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!

HallamKeeper · « **Reply #3 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.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2016, 02:26:51 PM »

Mine are now safely nestled in my kitbag. Ever so light.

FattusCattus · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2016, 07:34:12 PM »

Are these still �100 plus?

Percy · « **Reply #6 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.

HallamKeeper · « **Reply #7 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.

smilley792 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2016, 08:08:39 PM »

Quote from: CalverKeeper 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.

How's the ground looking? Be fit for the 16th?

HallamKeeper · « **Reply #9 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.

smilley792 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:46:13 AM »

Quote from: CalverKeeper 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.

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

HallamKeeper · « **Reply #11 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.

bk · « **Reply #12 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.

HallamKeeper · « **Reply #13 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.

AndrewS · « **Reply #14 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.

Author Topic: SL22 Comparison (Read 10026 times)

bk

SL22 Comparison

ItsJustCricket

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GoodLeave

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HallamKeeper

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Vitas Cricket

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FattusCattus

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Percy

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HallamKeeper

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smilley792

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HallamKeeper

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smilley792

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HallamKeeper

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bk

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HallamKeeper

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AndrewS

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