Review: Umbro GT 2 Pro Soccer Boot

The Umbro GT 2 Pro (known as the GT II Pro in some markets) in the second incarnation of the UK-based soccer specialists’ speed soccer boot. It is now available at World Soccer Shop and Big Toe Soccer.

The boot spotters amongst us would have noticed them on the feet of Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur and England) and Gaël Clichy (Manchester City and France) over the past eight months or so. Walker went on to have a breakout season with Spurs and was awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year honor. Meanwhile Clichy is bound for EURO 2012 with his GT 2 Pro boots in hand.

Here is our in-person look at the Umbro GT 2 Pro from one of our die hard boot testers who gave them a month long run into his league’s Spring season playoffs.

Aesthetics
The Umbro GT was sleek and minimalistic in look and reminded me of an ultra-modern version of the 2010 Speciali. While it is an eye-catching boot in its own right, the GT 2 Pro has an improved look in my opinion. The Blue Radiance / Black / Orange Popsicle colorway of the boot that I wore stands out even on a field of colorful boots while the oversized Umbro logo on its inside along with use of the a faded orange that becomes solid toward the front makes the GT 2 Pro a work of soccer art. Include straight lines in the design and behind the outside Umbro logo and you’ve got a speed feel to the boot.

Breaking In
Since it’s never the wisest move to take a pair of brand new boots straight into a match situation, I broke-in the Umbro GT 2 Pro boots with some running, speed drills and individual ball work for about forty-five minutes (essentially a one-person training session). As a seasoned wearer of Umbro boots, this was enough time to get me attuned to them and feel confident enough to use them in a formal team training session. I didn’t run into anything with the GT 2s that warranted extra break-in time.

Fit
Umbro never disappoints with boot fit and the GT 2 Pro is no exception. Like Umbro’s other recent boot releases (the Speciali 3 and Geometra), the fit on this shoe is true to size. It is also remarkably snug throughout which results in a very comfortable, almost cross trainer like feel. Get your usual shoe size and you won’t have to worry about any slipping, blistering or unwelcome rubbing anywhere on the feet.

One thing to note with the GT 2 Pro is that you will have to loosen up the top area of the laces to get them on. This is because the shoe has a very thin tongue for what I found to be an improved forefoot striking zone from the original GT.

Finally, I will add that I was experiencing some pain in the rare heel area of my left foot at the end of a long, hard season when I started using the GT 2 Pro boot. The snugness and support from the boot’s heel counter did help to alleviate some of my discomfort when playing in them.

Ride and Traction
The Umbro GT 2 Pro uses a new anatomical last for better fit and hollowed out blades to reduce the boot’s weight. Coupled with the glove-like fit of the boot mentioned earlier, this makes for a very good ride when running with it on a variety of natural surfaces. Indeed on a properly maintained grass surface, running with the GT 2 Pro feels very much like running with a pair of actual running shoes.

This is the first Umbro boot that I have worn with a blade-only stud configuration. From what I experienced, it works very well and provides fantastic traction for just about anything that I did on dry and slightly wet fields. Umbro might be on to something special here!

Touch
With ultralight speed boots you usually have to deal with very thin K-leather or synthetic uppers. As a result it takes a while to learn how to most effectively trap, pass, shoot and tackle (if you dare) with them. However, at 8.8 oz. the Umbro GT 2 Pro is a heavier speed boot with well-padded Teijin leather upper. What this means is that you have to spend very little time adjusting to its touch. In fact, though completely modern in design, its touch is reminiscent of the all-time classic Umbro Speciali line. As a fan of heritage boots such as the Speciali along with the extra speed that lighter boots can afford, I view the GT2 Pro as bringing the best of boot types of boots.

One “touch” improvement worth mentioning with the Umbro GT2 Pro over its predecessor is the slightly off-center lacing area of the boot. Also a feature of Umbro’s relatively new Speciali 3 and Geometra Pro, this asymmetrical lacing provides a greater striking area at the front of the foot for powerful shoots, long distance passes and defensive clearances.

Protection
Most speed boots are not made for daring defensive players who are apt to make courageous tackles or be involved in rough and tumble play. One ill-judged move on your part or that of an opponent and you can find yourself with a battered, bruised or even broken foot when wearing ultrathin boots. However, via the use of an ample mix of padding below its Teijin leather upper the Umbro GT 2 Pro provides what I think is enough protection of the upper foot to be used by any defender or defensive midfielder. Note that the two best-known wearers of the GT 2 Pro, Kyle Walker and Gaël Clichy are both fullbacks who play in matches where most players use aluminum-studded soft ground cleats.

Final Thoughts
Flashier, faster and functionally improved over the GT Pro, the Umbro GT 2 Pro is an excellent all-round soccer boot for any outfield player position. At a list price of $149.99, it is a steal in a market of much more expensive boots that do not perform half as well. It certainly has our recommendation!

Check out our Football Boots section for more on the latest soccer footwear.