PUMA turn off the optical illusion to reveal the first official colourway of the new generation evoSPEED 17.SL. Sticking with the lightweight concept the previous silo represented, the evoSPEED is ever so slightly tweaked for a refreshed look heading into the new year.

At first glance, there aren't an awful lot of differences between this and the previous evoSPEED SL, and there aren't on second glance either. Aesthetically, the size of the evoSPEED logo on the instep has been reduced and, of course, the new "Safety Yellow/Green Gecko" paint job provides the opening colours, now that the "Optical" disguise is stripped off. Almost as if Usain Bolt's football career is on the cards...

Some description

Support balance is added on the forefoot area running along the toe box, and further support is present on the heel where an additional PUMA Cat logo lurks. A 'SpeedFrame' call out underneath the FormStripe completes the refresh on a boot that does have somewhat of a sleeker overall vibe.

Perhaps the lack of changes to the silhouette indicates that PUMA have set the bar high on what they believe is the perfectly engineered lightweight speed football boot, and drastic changes aren't necessary. Weighing in at 120g, it's still the lightest general release on the market. Arriving in a leather edition too, the evoSPEED 17.SL will kick off 2017 on the feet of Marco Reus, Antoine Griezmann and Sergio Aguero, when he's stopped two footing people in the knee.

Want a pair? Get them here.