You've got to be kidding me. Nike Mercurial Vapor SL cleats, $400:

Defying science and expectations, Nike's newest creation is crafted almost entirely of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber, that revolutionary material used in jets, offers unbelievable strength with incredible lightness. It took Nike three years to design and produce this incredible version of the Vapor. The outsole plate is seven layers of carbon composite material interwoven with TPU and polyurethane. This eliminates the lasting board and puts the foot closer to the ground for a smooth feel. A reinforcing rib offers support. The cleats and stud tips are injected molded to the plate for a strong, single outsole piece, which creates incredible durability. An internal heel cradle keeps your foot securely in place. The upper is the first boot to have a molded carbon fiber upper for an incredible performance and feel. UPPER: Carbon fiber. Internal carbon fiber chassis creates instant acceleration. OUTSOLE: Carbon fiber outsole with injected bladed studs for durability and stability on firm, natural surfaces. WEIGHT: (6.7 oz.) Made in Italy.

What part of the cleats is the "lasting board", and why is it good it was eliminated? I'm looking at the cleats I own now, and I don't see much in the way of extraneous parts. I've never once said, "Man, the lasting board is really weighing me down. When is some ingenious designer going to come up with a way of eliminating it?"

I will concede, though, that 6.7 oz. is a VERY light cleat.

06/12/08 @ 01:03 PM

Hi

I'm Jim Biancolo, and this is my weblog. It's mostly links to stuff I find interesting (here are some of my favorites), but some stuff is mine. I also created Listology in the previous millennium (raised it from a pup but I stopped playing with it and I felt bad so I gave it away to a good home), and the fitness weblog Lean & Hungry Fitness, which is gone, subsumed, but it was a cool domain while it lasted.

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