I found a genuinely competitive option in the elite football boot market for a third of the cost: Kipsta CLR Elite reviewed

By contrast, the CLR Elite is at the other end of the scale, retailing at �70 a significant saving and a price point that the models from the biggest brands cannot compete with even when heavily discounted or replaced by newer generations.

Despite the relatively low price tag, the CLR does bear some of the characteristics you would expect from the best lightweight football boots.

I found these boots to be extremely lightweight with the upper made up of Decathlons Skin touch control technology.

It is a super thin, minimalist synthetic upper that brings you close to the ball in a way this type of boot should. There isnt much in the way of added grip on the upper itself, but this isnt necessarily a problem, especially given that it is relatively sticky to the touch anyway.

The CLR Elite is comfortable from the off and needs very little break-in. Personally, I had no problems with them out of the box. With the wide range of options available in the market at the moment I think it is important for pairs to have a plug and play quality to them and the CLR does have this.

One thing the CLR lacks in comparison to other speed boots is responsiveness. The soleplate is too flexible it can be bent almost completely in half by hand. Boots built for speed at the elite level tend to have stiff, snappy outsoles for increased energy return when taking off.

However, the softness of this plate means the CLR Elite is unable to offer this. The stud shape is also somewhat atypical for this category with mainly diamond studs through the plate, with a couple of chevron studs in the heel area. This configuration naturally lacks the level of traction provided by models such as the Mercurial, F50 and Furon.

One advantage of there being slightly less traction is that this pair can be worn on artificial surfaces if absolutely necessary. The studs are short and not particularly aggressive in shape, so these are one of the better FG speed boots around for wear on AG along, alongside the Lotto Solista and, to a lesser extent, the Adidas F50 Elite.

Another plus point from the CLR Elite outsole is that they're one of the most comfortable football boots that focus on speed. The extra flexibility, compared to pairs such as the current Mercurial Vapor and Superfly or the Puma Ultra Carbon, ensures it is a little easier on the soles of your feet. Therefore, depending on what you want from a pair, it is possible to prefer the feel of the CLR plate.

I would say though, that it is perhaps a little too bendy even with the comfort considered. Although I personally do prefer a flexible soleplate, I would have liked the CLR elite to have maintained some extra stability in the midfoot.

The Kipsta CLR Elite is a high-volume football boot so will be suitable for those with wider feet. The speed boot often excludes those who fall into this category, so a design that offers this experience is a good thing.

My feet are on the slimmer side, so there was a little extra room around my feet in the area of the opening of the boot, so the lockdown was impacted slightly. The boots do feature fairly deep, central lacing so the adjustability is good. I think the lockdown will be better for players who don't have particularly narrow feet.

The knitted collar that houses the lacing system at the opening of the boot is comfortable and stretchy and this added to the decent adjustability. In terms of fit, these may be one of the better speed boot options for those with wider feet. I wore my pair a half size smaller than usual, as I found my normal size to be slightly roomy. For those with slimmer feet I think this would be the best option, but it is always best to try before buying when possible.

Interestingly, Decathlon has taken the unique step of publicly advertising the number of uses to expect from each of its models, giving each an XP rating. The CLR Elite has an XP of 148, therefore a pair can be expected to last 148 uses whether it be training or in a competitive match.

The boots also come with a two-year warranty, with Decathlon placing greater emphasis on durability for, not only the Kipsta CLR, but all of its ranges. Durability is one of the aspects of football boots that many would argue has deteriorated while market prices have rocketed.

Whilst this often due to misuse (wearing FG boots on AG for example) it is something that brands should do more to address, particularly given just how much the average pair costs now.

Most pairs used appropriately should last about a season so if Decathlon is able to offer pairs that can last significantly longer, if worn once or twice a week, at a fraction of the cost then this could have a profoundly positive impact on the wider market.

One of the biggest problems users face in the current boot market is price. The cost of elite boots is exorbitantly high and increases every year, as brands release new models at a rapid rate. Alternatives to this trend are welcome and Decathlons entry into the elite market at a significantly cheaper price point is certainly a welcome alternative.

In terms of value for money, the Kipsta CLR Elite cannot be argued with. For this price it is a good pair of football boots and delivers the lightweight feel and barefoot touch that boots in the speed category should.

I don't think that the boots quite reach the level to compete with the most expensive pairs from the biggest brands. But at a price that is almost �200 cheaper, it is a trade-off that will prove appealing for many.

If Decathlon are able to build on the foundations of the Kipsta CLR Elite and keep the price at a similar level in addition to some smart endorsements, then we could be looking at a massive disruptor in the football boot market.