Whether you are looking for an indoor specific, hard court or just an off-field shoe option, the Tiempo Legend 9 Academy IC is going to be an option that drops on your radar. They prove to be one of the lightest Tiempo Legends to date, featuring a soft leather upper with raised textures backed by soft foam pods for a clean touch on the ball.

On foot they follow right in line with what you would expect from a Tiempo release: tight and snug. Given that you are going to use them on hard surfaces, where you will experience extremely quick and sharp movements, the first thing I’d recommend is going a half size up from your soccer cleat size. In other words, I normally wear a 9US but would feel most comfortable wearing these in a size 9.5US.

When it comes to performance, this Academy IC version has several key features that differentiate them from an FG version. For example, they have a reinforced scuff zone right around the toe region. This adds a little extra durability for those moments where you drag your foot along a hard court surface. And they feature a very effective rubber outsole that is designed to provide multidirectional traction on street, court and indoor surfaces. The multi-textured outsole really does provide the next level grip you need in play, allowing you to focus more on your game and move confidently at speed. I have an appreciation for a shoe that you can wear distraction free, without having to worry about grip on hard surfaces. These pass the test and are an awesome option and offer what you need in play.

Then there are the pods in key touch areas including the instep. This gives them a CTR360 type vide, where a little extra material helps cushion the ball in play. A final piece that adds value is the REACT cushioning under foot. This is the white popcorn material toward the heel. It adds some extra sponge and bounce when you step, perfect when you are playing on hard courts. Overall, a lot to like about these and I’m definitely adding them as a top recommended IC option.

Visually, I’m loving the overall design that Nike has gone with. There are a wide variety of colorways available in the silo, and each combinations seems to work flawlessly. This pictured version is super clean, with a white base and black/solar yellow detailing across key areas. It was one of the originals released in the series, so they are not as readily available.

But you can find all the latest versions available at SOCCER.com.

The post Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Academy IC – Feature Review appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

There is a new futsal specific boot on the market, and it is the most tech advanced small sided shoe we have ever seen! The Nike React Gato takes the extremely successful Gato series to an entirely new level, improving player touch on the ball and enhancing abrasion resistance zones that can move and stretch around your foot.

Already available to buy, we wanted to break down some of the key talking points (and features) of the new shoe.

1 – The Nike React Gato is designed specifically for futsal players and leverages a trio of innovative technologies — Nike Touch360, Nike Flyknit and Nike React — to promote fluid movement, durability and comfort.

2 – The boot’s design is informed by studies in the Nike Sports Research Lab (NSRL) that recorded a library of futsal moves and gathered data on the directional forces at play while players control the ball. The research is all about enhancing touch and improving control in the fast-paced, tightly-spaced, small-sided game.
During a 40-minute futsal match, the number of touches, shots on goal and meters covered per minute by each player exceeds those in an 11-player, 90-minute match. There are four times the touches, twice as many shots, and, on average, four times as many goals scored. These statistics are indicative of a game that requires players to adapt quickly — skill is defined by a creative mix of individuality, style and muscle memory — and play fast.

3 – The Nike React Gato’s three innovative technologies are highlighted by a new outsole tooling and resistant upper. Nike Touch360 features flexible “touch pods” that function like pistons, allowing wearers to feel the ball. The touch pods are placed where pressure-mapping shows primary underfoot touch points and are designed to give players a better sense of where the ball is underfoot. This promotes a heads-up play mode that allows for faster reactions on the pitch, negating the need to look down at your feet. A secondary benefit to the tooling is multidirectional traction to support quick cuts and sharp movements.

4 – The Nike React Gato’s upper employs a Flyknit construction incorporating a new yarn proprietary to Nike. This material combines the soft feel associated with Flyknit with increased durability. It creates discrete raised areas, forming a texture with great ball feel, and protection from abrasion. An additional toe cap also helps players unleash quick toe-punt shots on goal.

5 – As much as they are advertised as being a futsal specific shoe, know that they are a lot more versatile than that. You will basically be able to wear them on any court or street surface, with the boot’s third core technology, Nike React foam, provides long-lasting comfort on all surfaces.

The first release in the series, featuring a White/Bright Crimson colorway, is now available to buy at soccer.com. They come with a $139.99 price tag, which considering the amount of research and development involved is actually pretty reasonable!

The post 5 Things You Need To Know About The Nike React Gato appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

With their experience as a leading brand in the world of indoor and Futsal balls, Senda has decided the time is right to get into the Futsal shoe market. With that, they have created a shoe called the Senda USHUAIA PRO that they are currently in the midst of funding through what has been a very successful Kickstarter campaign. And there is still time for you to get involved!

In order to get to this point, a lot of research has been invested into creating the shoe, with an incredible amount of testing and feedback from top Futsal players across the world. Senda took samples of the USHUAIA PRO shoe to their native Argentina, home of the reigning Futsal World Cup Champions, to test it with local professional players. The end result is what Senda call a game-changing, extremely specialized Futsal shoe.

We encourage you to support by visiting the Senda Kickstarter campaign page. There, you will find full details on what the shoes are intended to provide performance wise, along with an excellently produced video of why you should get involved.

As many of you already know, Senda is a brand defined by its commitment to Fair Trade. Since 2010, Senda has been committed to making Fair Trade Certified Futsal balls to ensure better livelihoods and safe working conditions for workers, as well as no child labor. 

The post Senda USHUAIA PRO – The Game-Changing Futsal Shoe appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

The PUMA 365 evoKNIT NETFIT CT is really not your conventional style shoe. There is a definite air of intrigue that develops when you see them for the first time, with their unusually high collar and NETFIT upper. Puma has created them more as a lifestyle shoe, comfort and the forefront and the ability to provide street performance anytime you want to jump in a game.

Of all the NETFIT boots and shoes I’ve had the opportunity to test to date, these have been the most difficult to assess. Not because of he technology but because of the design and purpose. In terms of actual NETFIT, you get a fully customizable system that wraps the midfoot, allowing you to personalize your lacing system however you want. That has huge positive implications for players that struggle to get the right fit through the upper. On this version, there is a lot more NETFIT material to chose to lace from. On the FUTURE FG, you have limited choices, but pretty much every whole on this version can be used to create a completely custom fit.

Along with utilizing their game changing NETFIT technology, evoKNIT is used through the upper. The evoKNIT material offers a breathable feel and soft touch on the ball. Because it is a knit material, it is extremely useful when you are playing on hot summer days. But they don’t provide a lot of padding while striking shots, so you do feel a lot of the impact as you connect with the ball.

The final piece of the upper is the high cut collar, that to me resembles more of something you would see on a basketball court. It is intended to provide a seamless fit from leg to foot. It does fit pretty snug around the ankle, a lot more than other mid-cut collars currently on the market. Getting in and out does take a little work, but the real positive is the fact that you can completely loosen the laces before trying to slip your foot in. That obviously doesn’t help with the actual opening, but it does offer some freedom as your foot pushes in.

Underfoot, a low-profile rubber outsole with Ignite midsole provides excellent grip for quick turns and supreme cushioning. This makes them ideal for use on indoor and street surfaces and they definitely are quality in play. The grip provided is just enough to keep you upright through quick turns and changes in direction without locking you to the ground. It is simple, yet effective.

The one thing I’m not a big fan of with these is the joining between the midfoot and forefoot, basically the blue strip of “tape” that locks down the NETFIT across to evoKNIT. Inside the boot, there is a dramatic shift in the angle of each piece of material, so it is flat along the toes and then cuts up across the midfoot. This produces a very evident edge that doesn’t feel overly comfortable in the area just above the big toe joint. If you are wearing thick socks, it isn’t as noticeable. But I could feel it in play when I was wearing low-cut socks. Moral of the story, wear thicker socks while wearing them or you won’t enjoy them as much!

As a lifestyle shoe, it is not a pair I personally see myself wearing often. They offer a lot of quality and do serve a purpose, but they are not in the mold of a shoe I can see using daily. I prefer something that slips on easy and am a stickler for more of a leather style forefoot to provide some padding on the ball. These are different to that in every way, something you need to evaluate if they are a shoe you want to invest in. That is my personal take anyway.

Let’s finish with a big positive, and that would be their retail price at the moment! Originally listed at $130, they are available to those that want to test them out for as low as $79.99 right now. Not bad for something that doubles as a lifestyle/street ready shoe.

The post PUMA 365 evoKNIT NETFIT CT Review appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

A short-sided, indoor focused boot that is always worth taking a look at is the craft Joma Super Regate. Designed to be a lightweight “trick” style boot, they have quickly become a fan favorite for their pliable nature. This is the type of lightweight shoe that allows players to be expressive in tight spaces when you need something just a little extra responsive on your feet.

One of the best things about the series is the fact Joma has kept their price tag down, ensuring they are one of the most economical hard court shoes around. And recently, they set about releasing a new series of colorways – with this Lemon/Royal colorway leading the way.

Available from soccer.com.

Comfort

Joma does a great job with creating a super comfortable shoe that falls in at a very tasty weight point, 8.6oz. Right out of the box, they are super easy to wear. It is primarily due to the very flexible nature of the entire shoe, from the upper right through to the soleplate. What you need to know is that they are very soft and they get the all clear for wear from day 1.

How do they Fit?

In terms of fit, this is a very true to size option that won’t require players to think about other sizes. The length of the shoe is standard and provides enough space for stopping and cutting at pace without squishing your toes. Width wise, this is a shoe that will appeal to a wide variety of fits. Medium fits will definitely enjoy them and I will also throw them into the wide fitting category since the materials will stretch and mold to a larger fit.

Compared to the Top Flex

We regularly get asked which boot should players choose; the Super Regate or the Top Flex? The answer to that is simple. For comfort and durability, the Top Flex would be your best option. But if you are looking for more of a lightweight, crafty, sort of “trick” like boot the Super Regate is absolutely the way to go.

Performance on the Futsal Court

This is a shoe that is going to benefit quick, nifty players that like to get plenty of touches and pull of tricks whenever they can. When you want to get your foot on the ball and get some toca-toca in, the design is going to be very useful. Across the front portion of the upper and through the midfoot, Joma use what they call a Salatech upper;  a combination of mesh and rubber. The mesh allows for maximum breathability through games while the rubber aids with ball control. Personally, I am a fan of mesh in indoor shoes, but only when there is some extra protection across it to improve feel on the ball. A single layer of mesh is not going to withstand much pounding and shooting you feel the full impact. But a rubber overlay acts as a buffer, while still allowing for plenty of air to run through.

There is also a layer of suede that covers the toe cap and runs across the lateral side of the boot. It becomes relevant as you look to play short passes along your instep and it actually proves useful as it offers a slightly grippy feel on the ball.

Then there is the sole and oh how awesome it is! Well, that is the case if you are all about rapid movement and enjoying adding pace to the game. The image above tells you all that you need to know, Joma has added an ultra flexible soleplate that allows for movement in both directions. It is the flex channels that provide the extra mobility and it competes very admirably against a Freefootball Speedtrick that continually gets high praise. The Super Regate feel great to run in and I actually found that the grooves create an added level of traction on court as you look to chop and turn.

The Super Regate is a shoe designed for fast paced players who like to get on the ball and move it quickly. It also offers a sweet first touch and are very breathable. And when you factor in their price range (or how they are currently available for) they make complete sense to invest in a pair. When it comes to value for money and futsal style shoes, there are easily one of the best options you will currently find on the market.

Finally, find the latest line-up (and this colorway) available at soccer.com.

The post What Makes The Joma Super Regate A Top Futsal Option? appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

Until recently if you were looking for a pair of Adidas indoor shoes your choices were very limited. However, it seems with the birth of the X, Ace, and Messi lines, Adidas are giving the indoor game the focus it deserves. Recently, we’ve offered our take on the X 15+ Primeknit Court and Norman Levesque captain of the MASL Sacramento Surge gave us his insights on the Ace 15+ Primeknit Cage. Both of these Primeknit offerings represent the super elite level of Adidas’ indoor boots. Adidas’s numerical system denotes the level of the boot, with the .1 being worn by professionals all the way down to the .4.

With that knowledge in mind I went looking for a pair of Adidas Ace 15.1’s I could sink my teeth into. While the most obvious choice would have been to look into a pair of Ace 15.1 Boost, there’s just something about the silhouette with the Boost foam which put me off them. So imagine my surprise when randomly searching the Adidas Canada website to find a pair of Ace 15.1 Top Sala. For quite some time the Top Sala was the top end futsal specific boot you could get from Adidas, so seeing it teamed with the Ace upper had me sold, and I eagerly parted with $110 (Canadian, so about $80 US) of my own money to have Adidas Canada ship me a pair, with the plan to put them through their paces during the second half of my arena soccer season. So lets dive full steam ahead into my experiences thus far with the Adidas Ace 15.1 Top Sala.

Initial Reaction

The Adidas Ace 15.1 Top Sala arrived in a rather fetching Core Black/Metallic Midnight/Solar Orange colourway, with some crazy neon camouflage pattern laces. It is aesthetically a very striking indoor release. Feeling the forefoot of the boot however, left me feeling awfully underwhelmed and that’s because the 15.1 designation on the Ace 15.1 Top Sala and the Ace 15.1 Boost is actually a misnomer, as the forefoot of the Ace 15.1 Top Sala and the Boost version don’t actually come from the Ace 15.1 outdoor model at all, they’ve actually taken it from the second tier 15.2 boots; which for me is actually a substantial gripe, for a reason you’re about to read.

Product Misrepresentation

If there’s one thing which drives me batty, it’s when a company misrepresents their product. Be it intentional misrepresentation or just lazy website maintenance, it’s an unforgivable sin, especially when it’s the manufacturers webpage you’re dealing with. If you can’t rely on the company who made the boot to be entirely forthcoming about their products, who can you rely on?

Pictured above is the tech sheet for the Ace 15.1 Top Sala and right away there’s a glaring inaccuracy which needs to be addressed the inclusion of CTRL/WEB 3D, now the 3D Control Web is actually the major differentiation between the outdoor Ace 15.1 model and it’s second-tier sibling the Ace 15.2. It’s the raised definition which aids in ball control and striking.

The Totalskin upper of the 15.2 has substantially less definition and provides a somewhat more rigid and plasticky feel to the hand, and that’s the forefoot you get with the Ace 15.1 Top Sala. While I suppose there’s nothing properly wrong in marketing a boot with a second-tier upper as your top level indoor boot, it does seem somewhat disingenuous, and it’s doubly disingenuous when a company is marketing it as having the same upper as the top level outdoor boot. So Adidas get your stuff together and sort out your specs sheets.

Finally, in the interest of full disclosure, while the different upper didn’t put me off purchasing the Top Sala, had I have known the rigidity to the upper on the Top Sala beforehand; I’d have definitely spent the extra bit of money and picked up the redesigned Ace 16.1 CT, instead.

A Brief Note on the Laces

The neon camo laces provided with the Ace 15.1 Top Sala, are to be kind, terrible. They’re the fat flat kind which belong on skateboard shoes not a top tier indoor release. I actually wore them for the first game I played and ended up tying them up a dozen times in 45 minutes. So you’re going to want to make sure you have a spare pair of laces to swap in, thankfully I had a pair of laces from a long deceased pair of Predito indoors to fill the void, and if I’m honest it makes the boot look a lot cleaner.

Tech Specs

So griping aside lets get down to business. The Ace 15.1 Top Sala weighs in at 9 ounces on the nose and features a combined synthetic upper. The forefoot of the boot is constructed with the Totalskin synthetic which as noted is borrowed from the outdoor Ace 15.2, also included on the forefoot is a synthetic material over the Totalskin which has almost a ribbon like feel to it. The purpose is to aid the longevity of the upper in the highest impact zones on the court.  The heel of the boot is made from a mesh material which combines to keep the weight of the boot down and also provides is comfortable when worn.

The sole of the shoe is where the boot gets the Top Sala name as it is borrowed from Adidas’ long serving (and now retired?) futsal boot. You have a non-marking rubber sole which is teamed with Adidas’ adiPRENE technology in the heel. For those unfamiliar with adiPRENE, it’s Adidas’ patented impact absorption technology which can absorb impact more than 5 times a persons body weight. It’s a technology which is visible in the sole of the shoe as you can see the yellow disk in the cutout of the heel.

Fit and Break In

The Ace 15.1 Top Sala arrived in a size 9 US and while Bryan and I found the fit of the outdoor models of the Ace to be very forgiving width wise, this does not translate over to the top tier indoor variants. As someone who has a medium width foot, this boot is easily the most narrow I’ve ever worn. A quick chat with Bryan confirmed that the Boost version of the Ace 15.1 was also a very narrow fitting boot, it seems the Ace indoor series is intended for the narrow footed player. Where length is concerned the boot runs a smidge small and given the narrowness of the boot, you definitely could consider going up a half size.

Usually with an indoor boot you’ll find that you can dive into play instantly, given the narrowness of the boot and the upper that’s not something I’m going to recommend. You’re definitely going to want to give them a decent breaking in time, to break in the rigid upper.

In Play

On the court this incarnation of the Ace is a solid performer. Despite it’s rigid and plasticky feel out of the box; the Totalskin upper on the forefoot of the boot provides a quality touch on the ball, especially while dribbling, which is precisely what you need when you’re playing on the court. The slight definition of the upper didn’t affect performance in any way as it pertained to dribbling or controlling passes.

If there was a drawback of the Totalskin upper it was when full on striking the ball, while shots flew true, the upper was a tad unforgiving when really striking through the ball. Also when you consider this is by design a futsal boot, there’s reasons to be concerned as the futsal ball is heavier than a standard football, so if there was some discomfort when striking a regular football this will only be amplified on the sala court. The addition of the futsal toe guard should be a shot aid for quick toe pokes but it is rendered somewhat impotent by how narrow it on on the already narrow boot.

The adiPRENE system provides a comfortable ride in the heel of the boot, particularly if you aren’t always the most light footed of player, and teamed with the classic Top Sala sole you’re getting superb traction on the court, so stop-starts and quick directional changes will never leave you caught short. While the mesh rear portion of the boot does a great job in keeping your foot at a comfortable temperature.

Final Thoughts

I had very high hopes when I purchased the Ace 15.1 Top Sala, the Top Sala (prior generations) has a reputation of being a solid performing boot at a very reasonable price (usually around $60). So when you consider it was teamed with technology from Adidas’ new control boot it should have been a home run. However, it was a case of subtraction by addition for me. First, it caused the price to go up. Second, the Totalskin upper despite showing quality when on the ball took away from the comfort that the Top Sala has been known for as it forced the boot to be almost perversely narrow; and when you’re looking for an indoor boot, comfort is job 1, there shouldn’t be a prolonged break in time. Third, there’s the product misrepresentation/descriptive laziness; when you’re buying a boot you want to get what’s advertised and there’s no excuse to not properly edit the description of what comprises the boot.

It’s a combination which leaves me wondering just how properly serious Adidas is with the smallsided game (outside of the Primeknit releases), as this is a boot which should have had a chance to rival some of the top top end futsal boots, like a Joma Top Flex for instance but, for me, it comes up a ways short of doing so, I can only hope that Adidas work out the kinks moving forward.

The post Adidas Ace 15.1 Top Sala – Indoor Shoe Review appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

Over the past few seasons, Joma has been a brand that has fluctuated up and down between their newest releases. As we enter 2016, it seems like there is some intent for a fresh resurgence in the US, with a push to create much needed exposure. Case in point this vibrant Joma Top Flex release that features a mish-mash camo style sole. It is part of a new collection to hit US shores that is sure to grab some attention.

Available from soccer.com.

The first thing to note about the Top Flex is that performance is not altered in any way. Joma are sticking with the tried and trusted model of their leading indoor boot. Where they differ in in visual design, and that incredibly vibrant sole holds the visual cues that Joma want players to see. Mixed inside the standard gum rubber soleplate is a range of Orange and Purple shades in a camo style. The only thing we can confirm about these is that they are not likely to blend in with many relevant surroundings!

Without doubt, the highlight of the boot lies in the traction on offer. The sole has a completely unique profile compared to other indoor shoes, with Joma choosing a more rounded shape and step in the middle of the shoe. This, according to Joma, means you are getting a more natural fit that offers an increased level of comfort. I tend to agree and really felt the sole was in sync with the movement of my fit. The sole is made of gum rubber, which of course is non-marking, and the level of traction is about as good as you are going to get. Quick turns are a breeze and I never felt like they were going to give – something that is vitally important playing indoor.

Overall performance wise, the Top Flex is a very competitive shoe. They are continually considered one of the better indoor specific options and sell really well. You can tell that Joma have put a lot of time and energy into ensuring their indoor range matches up to the best the market has to offer. As stated above, the sole is designed to give you every advantage on court and it is definitely the highlight of the shoe. They are, however, a little bulkier with a stiffer upper than other options on the market. Given the current state of the market, lighter is often the more sought after option, so you can see how these might not get a positive reaction from the up and coming crop of players. But for those that value durability (and of course value) these are a fantastic option.

You’ve got some options when it comes to picking up a pair, depending on your budget. In general, these boots are absolute top value for money. But, right now the older models are available at sale prices. This featured version is seen as a second generation release, even though there is technically nothing new performance wise. The primary difference is the updated design and camo style gum rubber sole.

Side note, included in the box you get an additional pair of laces – in this case you can choose between the pictured white and an orange that matches the upper. On the boots, you will also find a number of tags that include details on the boots and Joma as a brand. It might seem mundane, but I love when brands include something a little different, when they invest some time to provide us as customers with extra information that offers some insight into who they are.

Find the entire line-up, there are currently 6 pairs, available at soccer.com.

The post Joma Top Flex Indoor – Up Close With the 2016 Edition appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

As part of the recent Primeknit collection, adidas released a pretty explosive shoe for short sided play. Welcome in the X15+ Primeknit Court, a shoe that really is as chaotic as it’s naming convention! With winter weather kicking in, indoor soccer becomes the norm and for players that play on hard court or enjoy some futsal, these are a must check out.

The first thing to note is that everything through the upper, including the overall structure and material cuts, is identical to what you get in the X15+ FG release. If you were to remove the soleplate on both boots, you would simply be left with the same upper. With that in mind, when we talk performance, everything will also be the same.

We’ve had the opportunity to wear the X15+ Primeknit a few times and wanted to bring you some details of what to expect if you are intrigued by the prospect of owning a pair. It hasn’t been an extensive review, but the time wearing them was long enough to know what they can provide!

If you are interested in a pair, find them at soccer.com.

Primeknit Design

Right out of the box, there really is something special about these. In order to create a boot that features knit material, adidas has added a 3D vacuum skin across the surface. This ensures the material is waterproof (if you decide to play some street soccer in the rain!) and has some additional durability properties. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t actually feel Primeknit because it has that covering above it. There is still a very natural feel while wearing them and the entire surface area is extremely pliable/soft to the touch.

The visual design created by the knit is extremely unusual. It appears like a multi dimensional criss-cross design, with the Vacuum cover featuring a depth illusion. If you look at them real close, you can also see a dimple style texture that is there to add some dynamic touch on the ball. It is very minimal, but offers to enough to provide a cleaner touch – especially if the ball is a little slick.

Turn to the side of the boot, and you get that once funky X-Cage paneling. I say “once funky” as it seems to have now become a natural part of the X15. The overall construction doesn’t have an obvious meaningful pattern, but its role it to provide additional strength through the midfoot. It is essentially the backbone that keeps the boot completely in check.

Traction and Soleplate

Traction – this is the one area of the boot that a lot of people are going to want to know about. My testing comes down to a session on an indoor hard court, and some kick arounds on the street outside my house. If you flip them over, you will notice two different colors covering the sole. Each plays a different role, with extra dimension and grooves placed through the solar orange panels for extra traction as you twist and turn. The black lined region feels like a very light sand paper, with minimal cuts creating a surface idea for quick deceleration. In other words, they are like mini brake pads that grip the surface as you look to stop at top speed.

Indoor and street soccer is always played at an extremely high tempo, so every little bit of added traction can only aid in how you perform on the surface. And for those wondering, it is all non-marking so it can be worn on gym floors.

How do they Fit?

When it comes to fit, I found that they fit just a tad bit longer than I’d normally wear in boots. But given that they are an indoor shoe, a little extra space is definitely needed as you put your feet through extreme cuts throughout play. That little extra space gives your toes some breathing room and ensure they are not squashed against the front of the boot. My verdict if you order a pair: stick true to size unless you enjoy a super snug fit.

One other note related to fit comes via the built-in tongue design and that TechFit collar. The collar itself fits really well around the ankle and creates a secure feel. But for players that don’t like extra security through the midfoot, take into consideration the actual design. On either side of the tongue, Primeknit is used to create an enveloped fit, with material really hugging, in particular, the arch. Personally, I didn’t have an issue with these BUT that was partly due to the fact I’ve been testing several FG versions over the past few weeks. In other words, it is an area that might take some players a few wears to adjust to.

Should You Buy A Pair?

In terms of retail, the X15+ Primeknit is about the highest priced court style shoe you will probably ever wear! A $150 price tag is likely to put off a lot of players, it is a serious amount to drop for a pair of indoor style shoes.

With that price comes a completely new level of performance that makes them extra enticing to players who like extra flair. Everything about these oozes quality and they are a boot I’d recommend for serious players who are not on a set budget. If you are on a budget, add them to the “must try” list and keep an eye out for pairs that go on sale!

If you are interested in a pair, find them at soccer.com.

The post Adidas X15+ Primeknit “Court Edition” Review appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

With sweater weather in full swing and winter not too far around the corner, it’s time for soccer to start transitioning indoors. If you’re like me you probably love the small sided game more than the full sided game, if you don’t you probably should consider changing your tune.

Indoor (in all its variants) is where you get your touches, it’s where you learn quick decision making, it’s pretty much where you learn your craft. If you have desires of playing at higher levels you definitely need to be playing the small sided game; and if you need an example as proof, take the modern innovator of ridiculousness on a football pitch Ronaldinho who learned the majority of his tricks and feints on the sala court.

Now despite the importance of the indoor game in player development, until recently it had been criminally overlooked by the big companies; with players limited cobbled together versions of lower tier boots. Unless of course they were willing to take a chance on specialist companies like Joma, Munich, Kelme, and Penalty who all catered to indoor game of futsal, and have arguably been the leaders in top quality boots for years. However, last year Nike really put a focus on small sided football with the release of the SCCRX line, which marked the first time that one of the big three had properly started designing for indoor.

So, given that there’s a more pronounced focus on the indoor game, let’s take a look at some of the top options for those players looking for a top tier indoor release.

Joma Top Flex

If you’re looking for a new indoor boot and the Joma Top Flex doesn’t feature on your list, you need to re-evaluate your list (and possibly your life) completely. The Top Flex has been one of the flagship boots in the futsal world for ages now, don’t believe me find a stream of an Inter Movistar match. The Top Flex gives you a boot built purpose built for the sala court. The boot features a solid gum rubber upper for traction on the court, a supple leather upper and a suede shot guard running from the front of the boot to the instep. If you’re curious about the shot guard’s purpose it’s added padding to protect the foot when driving a fustal ball as it is weightier than your standard ball. The Top Flex is a solid performer and one of my personal go to indoor boots, I’m actually still wearing the pair I tested nearly two years ago now, so there’s another plus for durability. The best part about the Top Flex though, is the price $69.99. Yes, a top quality boot for under three figures is something which you just don’t see these days.

Nike Mercurial X Proximo

If there’s a boot which started off the revolution of the big brands taking indoor seriously that honour goes to the Nike Mercurial X Proximo, although, back in the day when the revolution began, it was known as the Nike Elastico Superfly. The updated model has taken more stylistic cues from the 11 a-side Mercurial Vapor Superfly, but the boot is still very much indoor specific, while Nike are continuing to promote their mid-cut collar as speed friendly, both Bryan and myself have noted that it’s definitely built with the playmaker in mind as opposed to the speed demon. That said the boot which features a Flyknit upper and a generous application of NikeSkin, especially in the control areas is perhaps the top performing boot on the indoor market today. Which you would definitely expect with a price of $149.99.

If you’d rather dispense with the mid-cut collar but want a boot in the vein of the Mercurial series you can of course get yourself the Mercurial X Finale which retails for $89.99.

Adidas X 15.1 Primeknit CT

With the X and the Ace, Adidas flipped the boot world on it’s proverbial head; so is it really any surprise that Adidas are taking a serious look at the indoor game? It about time they did in my opinion. Until now Adidas’ foray’s into the indoor game were limited to one really good boot and a lot of dross. This is why it’s nice to see the three stripes offering up a quasi limited release boot with the X 15.1 Primeknit CT. Featuring the same Primeknit upper as the recently released (and also quasi limited) X 15.1 and Ace Primeknit boots. It’s also an evolution on the Primeknit Boost which while one of the gaffers go to indoor boots resembled a trainer a bit more than it did a serious indoor boot.

While we haven’t seen the Primeknit CT around these parts it’s definitely a boot to be on the look out for and a boot which I’d love to get my hands on and put through its paces. While the $149.99 price point might be a sticking point for some, especially given Adidas’ only recently acquired focus on the indoor game.

Nike Magista X Proximo/Finale

The second silo to receive the SCCRX treatment from Nike. The Magista is all about playmaking so it suits the small sided game down to the ground. The Proximo is a boot based on the Magista Obra featuring the the same Flyknit upper with NikeSkin coating and dynamic fit collar. The indoor version of the boot also features Lunarlon in the mid-sole providing a comfortable ride on hard court surfaces.

Whereas the Proximo is designed to pretty much mimic the qualities of the Magista Obra, the Magista X Finale is a different boot entirely to the Magista Opus. The Finale features a primarily synthetic upper with a calf skin leather coating over the forefoot to provide a soft touch on the ball. The mid-sole of the boot also features the same Lunarlon technology as the Proximo. Given that players often tend to be much more budget conscious with their indoor boots I’m anticipating that the Finale will be one of the more popular new indoor releases this season, as they retail for a cool $99.99 in comparison to the Proximo’s $149.99 price tag.

Adidas Mundial Team

With the exception of the X 15.1 Primeknit all the other boots offer options for those who play their indoor game on turf. However, if you’re playing indoor on turf and you’re looking for a turf specific boot your best option is to turn back the clock to a simpler time, when leather ruled the roost! Despite the 12.7oz weight which in today’s day and age might be a little off putting, but there’s no accounting for the class touch on the ball offered by the super supple K-Leather upper of the Mundial Team. It’s a boot designed to offer both comfort and performance and it has been doing so for about as long as I can remember.

If having a K-Leather indoor boot isn’t enough for you to look into the Mundial Team, keep in mind you’re getting a boot with a similar build quality to the Copa Mundial, so it’ll definitely stand the test of time; and when you consider the Copa runs at $149.99, then a boot of the Mundial Team’s quality is a bargain at $94.99.

So that concludes a run down of some of the top boots you can pick up if you’re in the market for a new pair of indoor boots. Does it take into account all the options? Definitely not, I mean there’s also the new Hypervenom SCCRX line of boots and a brand new Ace Primeknit model designed for the turf game, and both of which would also make worthy additions to this list. What indoor boots are you currently sporting? Give us a shout in the comments.

The post Top Boot Options for the Small Sided Soccer Season appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.

Here is one that hasn’t received much attention, yet offers players an extremely slick set of futsal shoe options. The Puma Neon Lite 2.0 is the lightest futsal shoe on the market right now, with 6 different colorways available for players to choose from.

What is on offer from a performance perspective? It starts with an upper that is made with a combination mesh and synthetic. Puma developed a special mesh material that ensures low weight and optimal breathability through key areas. On the forefoot of the shoe, the mesh material is covered with a durable synthetic in order to increase the ball grip, as well as improved strike area.

Designed for quick paced indoor play, the sole is made with a LITE midsole with injected EVA, to provide important shock absorption. In addition, the boots comes with a minimalistic outsole, again keeping weight at a minimum, as well as delivering optimal grip to the court. And in typical fashion, a non-marking sole is used to ensure there is no damage to polished indoor surfaces.

As per the image above, the current available colorways come in Fluo Green, White/Electric Blue, Sulpher Spring, Lava Blast, White/Flash Orange and Sharp Green. 

Find the entire line-up – with several pairs on sale right now – at soccer.com.

The post The Puma Neon Lite 2.0 Futsal Collection appeared first on Soccer Cleats 101.