I love to play the beautiful game. Even at my own humble level (very humble according to some). As I entered my early thirties I noticed my recovery time after each game getting longer. Now, after a 60 minute 5-a-side game I have to steady myself down the stairs next morning. The knees are telling me to stop.
Now, most people in their twenties and older that I know play their football primarily at indoor sports halls, especially through the winter months. There just isn’t time to play on grass in the week and many opt out of Sunday league football (a.k.a. Sunday League Punch-up) as they need to walk the following week. So, a nice cosy sports halls it is. Permanent light. No need to fetch the ball (never goes out of play). For all intents and purposes this is non-stop football nirvana. Well, yes, except for the rock hard floor that is…
Now, one thing that helps prevent CKS (Crap Knees Syndrome), besides better genetics, is a good pair of cushioned football trainers. Yet, for reasons I can’t understand, the big sports companies just don’t seem to understand this…
The best ones I have used so far are the Nike Air Nine Zero Max (pictured). These sport a nice cushion of air underneath the sole that really takes the shock out of all the impact, making the knees feel noticeably better post match. However, just like when you find a top ready meal, Nike have stopped making them and rivals Adidas don’t make anything that even approaches a comfort cushioning football trainer.
Surely, the market, in Great Britain at least, for high end indoor football trainers perhaps outweighs traditional boots? I’d venture that more football is played in sports halls than on grass these days? Then again, one can only presume that Nike, Adidas et al have done the market research…
So, here, in essence is the problem; as you get older, you can actually afford some of the high end kit that sporting companies produce. The irony is that by the time you can afford it, the kit they make isn’t suitable for you! It’s geared to people in their prime (read, late teens, early twenties) and it makes no provision for those despertely getting in as many games as they possibly can before their knees give up completely. How long do you think we’ll have to wait until bionic knees are available? 
Tags: Adidas, ASICS, Football trainers, Indoor football, Nike, Trainers
Bro
Just read your post and it reminded me of an article I read in the paper about 2 weeks ago I think. Here is the link I’ve found with the article but I saw it in the Mail. Can’t find it though on their site.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22567682-1702,00.html
Interesting. I would like to read the entire paper actually as it doesn’t say whether the pressure they measure was instant or gradual.
My query is that whilst the pressure they measured was similar (or more) in the more expensive shoes, did it take longer to exert that pressure to the foot, therefore giving the ankle/knee/hip etc a more gradual absorption of the force which could in turn lead to greater comfort. Also, it would be interesting to note as to whether those tested had any pre-disposition to discomfort after exercise of that type. Where are the white coats and conical flasks…?
Good to know information.
I wanted to share a piece of advice for those who are on the look out for a good pair of sports shoes but are on a tight budget. Make sure you buy original shoes and avoid going in for imitations as these will give way in the long run and will not provide you the comfort and flexibility that an original shoe will offer.
You can get great deals in many online stores offering discounts on genuine shoes and can buy them well within your budget without going in for cheap imitations. It’s always a good idea to spend a little more though and get the right shoes and experience the true comfort for which the shoe is designed.
Have you ever tried using knee straps? Something like this is very inexpensive and I have found them to greatly reduce shin splint pain and knee soreness: http://www.muellersportsmed.com/Knee_Jumpers_Strap.htm
I am a rather large player, over thirty, and primarily play keeper. Before using these knee straps, I would be in constant pain throughout the next day. Using these has been a godsend!
Per boots for indoor football, specifically if you are looking for good cushioning and kangaroo leather, I’d highly recommend the Diadora Maracana TF: http://soccer.epicsports.com/prod/2801/diadora-maracana-tf-mens-turf-soccer-shoe.html
I’ve played with both the turf and flat versions of these for the past four years, and have found their comfort and touch to be unparalleled.
Even though I loved those boots, I have very recently switched to the Nike T-7 CT that you don’t seem to like too much. I mainly switched to these because back in my heyday I did prefer to play without boots at all, and these seemed to offer a boot with minimal sole but still having some impact absorption in a kangaroo leather offering. I’ve only played a few matches in these thus far, and I’ll admit that the comfort level is no where near the level of the Maracana’s, but the lighter boot and my ability to turn and pivot with balance is much improved by being closer to the floor. The T-7 boots in combination with the knee straps keeps me feeling strong without the terrible knee pains that I used to experience a few years ago.