For the 2026 FIFA World Cup the Zinetik PFX boot was designed with high performance materials and Mexican culture in mind. With the global event happening in the brands home country we created a boot that spoke to the rich cultural heritage of Mexico and told a mythological story that would resonate with players and aficionados during the world cup summer. The PFX upper features 3D knit technology, the distinctive ‘extended strike zone’, and Aztec inspired motifs. The Zinetik family included take down models for kids and amateurs as well as turf versions.
My responsibilities for this project included upper, outsole, and CMF design along with the administration and Product Lifecycle Management of the silo from initial concept to production.
Hector Herrera
Olympic Gold 2012
Houston Dynamo #16
@dougy.gee
GREAT VALUE football boots from MEXICO?! Hear it from SoccerReviewsForYou Josh.
SP25 First Generation Zinetik PFX
The Zinetik 26 PFX was designed as a successor to the first generation Zinetik PFX released in 2025. The design took heavy inspiration input from our previous model, which was constructed with a knitted upper, a lightweight synthetic cage overlay, and the extended strike zone across the instep. Valuable feedback and insights from our previous projects allowed us to craft this next generation football boot.
Inpsiration
The inspiration came from Xiuhcoatl, the mythical fire serpent of Aztec mythology, weapon of Huitzilopochtli the god of war and sun, who guided the peregrination of the Mexicas from the land of Aztlan to what we now know as Mexico City.
Upper and Outsole Development
The outsole for the 2026 silo was carried over from our previous model while the upper received significant updates. We received great feedback from both male and female players regarding the outsole and its responsiveness. Throughout the process we made multiple trips to china where we met with our suppliers to craft this next generation boot. Since the beginning the concept was meant to be lighter and sock-like.
Graphic Development
For the graphics we wanted to portray a snake across the entire upper. Initial concepts where imagined with a stylized and more caricatured Xiuhcoatl. Later developments drifted away towards a more subtle fire serpent with Mexican frets.
Fit Testing
Fit testing conducted with Ivan Rodriguez, Club Leon #29, validating upper construction and addressing player specific modifications.
Ivan Rodriguez
Club Leon #29
Jorge Hernandez
San Antonio FC #10
Charly Zinetik 26 PFX 'Xiuhcoatl' - Spring/Summer 2026
The collection developed included three product tiers: performance, plus/midlevel, and amateur. The style was also adapted for turf surfaces and youth sizes.
UNRELEASED SAMPLE: Charly Zinetik 26 PFX ' Jorge Campos'
A special edition Zinetik 26 was created for legendary Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos. The release was stopped due to contractual issues.
Jorge Campos
Selección Mexicana #1
Charly Zinetik 26 PFX 'Teotitlán'
For the spring/summer 2026 season, an alternate color story was developed inspired in 'Teotitlán del Valle' a Zapotec town in Oaxaca known for its woven wool tapestries and fabrics. Together with the FIFA World Cup 2026 branding, rich colorful and geometric patterns were created for this colorways.
Jorge Hernandez
San Antonio FC #10
Luciana Riefkohl
Club Leon #20