Concave PT+ Classic

I will be honest with you, I was not convinced. A) I did not think I would return from holiday to find the freshly-delivered pair of Concave PT+ Classic on my desk when light-fingered colleagues are about, and B) I had my doubts about the design. But I have been pleasantly surprised on both counts, especially with the innovation in the minds of the clever boffins at Concave, whose latest offering provides brilliantly cutting-edge technology and retro design. Concave PT+ Classic hit the market in the summer and sits as the flagship from the burgeoning company after the previous releases of PT+, PT1, PT Midi, PT Mini and PT Dome. Here is Concave's speciality. A patented 'MetaGuard', which sits where the laces would appear on conventional boots and offers a protective layer of '3 density PU reinforcement cushioning with lightweight foam for high performance'. It is only natural when you pick up a pair of Concave PT+ Classic to immediately feel the urge to tap your knuckles against this 'TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) Injected outsole' and frown, as myself and work-mates discovered upon first glimpse of my size twelves. The protection to the infamously injury-prone metatarsal area is an ingenious idea and it is simple to see how the MetaGuard is effective. But what was confusing was gaining an understanding of how this could be coupled with comfort and control. Concave, though, have solved the riddle. When wearing a pair you do not notice the protective piece of plastic over the laces and the PT+ Classic offers the ultimate slipper-like feel and weight that is essential in modern boots. Add to this that your natural sweet spot is increased by a factor of three and you do not need to be wearing a white coat to understand that tests have found that accuracy is improved by 30 per cent and that power is increased by 15%. The PT+ Classic design, which in this case was the moulded variety, but the brand is also available in soft or firm-ground forms, is also a nod to the classily-understated aesthetics of the Seventies. This is refreshing in an era when other manufacturers are following garish paths. A 'Shank Balance Stabilizer' on the sole of the boot also offers mid-foot reinforcement and balance to again ward against metatarsal damage to ensure that Concave have every base covered in some style.

Locker Room rating: 4/5