AFL Football Boots
Australian Developments
What began in 1990 as an attempt to build a better football boot and reduce Achilles Tendonitis injuries in Australian Rules players, has now evolved to encompass many of Australia’s favourite sports including netball, cricket, hockey, golf and touch.
FOOTBALL
asics’ Marketing Manager and footwear developer, Mark Doherty, collaborated with leading podiatrist, Simon Bartold, to develop an exciting new football boot that would address the playing characteristics of the game, thus increasing performance and improving player safety. The first asics boot to go on sale in 1996 was the GEL Lethal, and it sold out in 4 weeks, a story that became all too familiar, season after season, as the popularity of the GEL Lethals continued to grow.
The GEL Lethal was designed on the premise that AFL is a running game, and that the flat platform of the traditional boot didn’t provide the best position for the feet to be in. The asics GEL Lethal simply raised the heel by 10mm, easing the strain on the Achilles tendon. Of course, asics did a lot more to improve player comfort and safety, including introducing GEL for shock absorption; making a wider toe box; using lighter upper materials; and developing the lightweight injection PU outsole and Multi-Function Cleat system.
Today the GEL Lethal range includes a boot to suit all football codes, including Touch. While the range remains true to the original concept, it is a world away in terms of technology, with the latest addition, the GEL Lethal Ultimate sporting the I.G.S. badge of approval.
