2018 - The Mitre Football Range [Link]
Since Mitre's creation in 1817, it is fair to say their development of footballs has come on leaps and bounds. With endless improvements in technology and ball production machinery, the final finished quality has continued to increase at a rapid rate.
The 2018 Mitre set up proves to be no different in that regard, all models of their 2018 range ooze class. But most significantly there have been changes to the ball graphics, coatings and the gradings all of which are worth noting.
First of all, what's the most noticeable change?
All training and match footballs will now be graded under master model names; Impel, Ultimatch and Delta with three further tiers for each ball. The idea has been generated to create a distinctive difference between the use of the football and its quality.
Ok, so how does that work?
Training balls are now classified under the branch "Impel", with the standard option Mitre Impel football, the advanced Mitre Impel Plus and the pro training ball Mitre Impel Max.
The same grading system has been adopted for the core match ball range with Ultimatch, Ultimatch Plus and Ultimatch Max are now the names of the UK's most popular football.
Finally, the Pro range will now be known as Delta (the name given to the EFL pro football), with the Delta, Delta Plus and Delta Max taking the mantle.
So in essence, there will be a base level football which we will refer to as "Core", a mid-level known as the "Plus" and the top-level specification referred to as "Max".
Hopefully that's cleared that one up. Now on to the new improved outer ball coating - what's new?
Quite a lot actually, especially the training footballs (Mitre Impel range) as they're now all constructed with a new "Vimini" outer texture. This will provide greater durability as well as longevity to the old model soft touch footballs. A similar approach has now been taken on the Match and Pro footballs too with the superior pimple texture coating being rolled out amonsgt all of the 2018 options.
Sounds like a winner. Anything else can we expect?
In an essence, to see the trademark Mitre 'Delta' logo a lot more.
The brand has gone back to basics and focused heavily on the 'Delta V' icon that made it so famous during the 90's. Granted the new range of balls are a little bit more forgiving than the retro Premier League Mitre Ultimax, it will provide a nostalgic moment for many grassroots managers.
Despite marginal increases in price, we are confident that Mitre have once again developed a range of footballs that will more than satisfy all levels of the beautiful game.