TLSS TIPS | EP.12 : The Timelessness of Genuine Leather Football Boots That May Be Replaced ? (English Version)

Almost 30 years ago, before the world knew the legendary boots from the Swoosh, worn by one of the greatest strikers of all time, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, or R9, the image that came to mind when we heard the words “football boots” was almost certainly a pair of all-black leather boots, perhaps with just a few simple details or patterns.

Back in the days when the football-boot industry had not yet grown to the scale it is today and did not have as much influence over consumers, football boots were simply “tools” to be worn when playing football. Technology had not yet played such a major role in football-boot design, and most football boots, regardless of the manufacturer, were primarily made from one material: “genuine leather.”

If we really dig into the history, the world’s first football boots date back as far as 500 years ago. Naturally, they were primarily made from genuine leather. As time passed, the concept of football-boot construction continued to rely on genuine leather, eventually creating many legendary models that have stood the test of time.

Why Genuine Leather?
Although the information we have may not fully cover the earliest days, we can look at the properties of genuine leather today and understand why it has remained so important.
There are three key characteristics that have always defined genuine leather football boots: durability, flexibility, and the feel of leather.

Durability: genuine leather is tough and difficult to tear, making it highly suitable for sports involving fast and intense movements.
Flexibility, despite being strong, genuine leather can also stretch and expand. Of course, today there are many stitching techniques designed to prevent the leather from stretching or becoming excessively loose.

And most importantly, the feel of leather.
The feel of genuine leather is something that is extremely difficult to replace with other materials. The softness when your foot connects with the ball through a layer of genuine leather creates a unique sensation. It feels soft, but not overly soft. It has responsiveness without feeling too bouncy. It wraps around the foot comfortably while still providing support without feeling excessively tight.
These qualities are what have allowed genuine leather football boots to remain a dominant choice in the market for many decades, or even hundreds of years.

However, over the past 20-plus years, innovations in technology have allowed synthetic football boots to play a much greater role in the market. Many players have moved away from genuine leather and chosen synthetic materials instead.
The reason follows the direction of modern development. Synthetic materials can be engineered to be lightweight. They can be shaped into slimmer and more streamlined designs. They can also incorporate various technologies and features more easily.
All of these factors have made synthetic football boots increasingly popular. And, importantly, they simply feel more “cool” and “modern” than genuine leather boots.

That doesn't mean genuine leather has stopped evolving. It has continued to develop in its own way, whether through stitching methods that reduce excessive stretching, tanning or coating processes that improve durability and softness, or developing thinner leather constructions to reduce overall weight while maintaining its excellent feel.
However, genuine leather itself has always had certain “disadvantages” or “weaknesses” and some of them are significant enough to make certain players change their minds and turn to other options available on the market.

It absorbs water. It can split open easily. It can develop cracks. It requires proper care and attention. It should not be exposed to excessive heat. It should not be left wet or damp. It needs regular maintenance and that maintenance needs to be done correctly.
These are the things that users of genuine leather football boots have to deal with.

Of course, in return, you get a feel that is extremely difficult for any other material to replace. But these are the compromises you have to accept. If you don't take proper care of your boots, their lifespan can become significantly shorter. They can deteriorate quickly, and eventually, even that exceptional leather feel may disappear.

These problems are not new. They are major pain points that manufacturers have been trying to understand and solve.

Just imagine how great it would be if, one day, someone could develop a new type of synthetic material that feels exactly like genuine leather, but doesn't absorb water, doesn't split, doesn't crack, and doesn't require you to apply treatments or leather conditioner after every use.

This idea has led many manufacturers, both large and small, to develop new materials based on this concept over the past two or three years.
Because, of course, if someone could truly make it happen, or, in other words, if a manufacturer could develop a synthetic material that doesn't merely feel “close” to genuine leather but actually feels “like” genuine leather, while eliminating all the problems that traditionally come with it, that manufacturer would undoubtedly gain a significant competitive advantage and be able to meet the needs of consumers on a much larger scale.

And that's where TLSS TACTICIAN ROO comes in.
Featuring ROO-TOUCH, our new innovation developed from all of the ideas and concepts discussed above.
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