Classic Boot Thread

[Jc18star]

I am making this thread to focus on various classic styles of boots(discontinued and current production runs), it will cover styles, colors, brands, previous models, sizing, tips for finding them, and also tips for findng vintage models.

On a personal level when playing I have decided to pretty much stick to basic classics, and I will only stray from that to a high tech boot if it really is something fantastic and special (think Mizuno Rivaldo Wave Cup).

What a classic boot consists of is a leather upper, having laces, having a tounge. Boots like the Copa, the Profi, Umbro Speciali, Puma King, Mizuno Morelia....well you get the idea. No Predator, AZT, Vapor, Zhero info will be found here. We can make the exception for boots that aren't in production anymore like the original Mercurial and the Nike GX.

I will be throwing up info about the Copa, the Stadio and Speciali (my new ones just arrived) throughout the day

[Jc18star]

Overall this is a very well respected and highly rated boot. If you look at the semi pro and lower level leagues in the UK you will see tons of players in this boot, which is often the best way to get an idea of the level of quality of a boot. Among the players that wear and have worn this shoe are Alan Shearer, Roberto Carlos, Henrik Larsson, Mark Hughes, Steve MacManaman, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, James Beattie, John Terry, countless lower level pros in the UK, Spain and Italy. The shoe is K-Leather, made in Italy, comes in standard round stud FG and 6 stud screw in SG. It is only avalible to the public in black and white with a black tounge, although there was a black and neon yellow and a black and white with large white tounge (think puma king) that have been sold over the past few years. There is also a limited edition model out now that has a lace cover that is part of the large tounge, these were showcased by Alan Shearer in his testimonial match but I have yet to see a player in them other than that.

I just picked up these boots today, I ordered a US 10.5 and 11 for sizing purposes and the fact that they are supposed to run very small, I was leary of just getting one pair then having to ship back and forth until a proper fitting pair arrived.

The 10.5's were very snug in length but wide and smaller than my 9.5 Copa's by about a 1/4 size. I also tried on the 11 and they were too wide and too long for my foot. I decided to go with the 10.5 and they expanded to my foot shape and length in about 20 mins.

This boot is really one of the best constructed shoe I have ever put on, the outsole is has a lot of flexibility that aids the break in period quite a bit.The upper is stitched to the outsole and that will add life to the boot. They have a felt like tounge lining and insole that add comfort and breakin in right away. The leather is super soft and thin but also very strong and waterproofed. I soaked them in warm water to speed up the break in period and the water just beaded up on the outside of the boot.

I am very excited to play in them tomorrow, if the short time I had them on is a reflection of the over all quality and performance of the shoe then I am going be very pleased with these. The only down side to these is the Umbro logo is massive and may interfere with some peoples touch but you can easily remove them and unlike the Copa the logo isn't vital to the boots construction and lifespan.

Overall I would say this the best classic boot on the market, the combo of craftsmanship, feel of the leather, and design of the lasting board and outsole send this one over the top. For me it edges out the Morelia and Copa but just by a little and because I have very high standards.

[Skizz]

Are we all allowed to add to this? Because I've owned all the Mercurials so I could do a bit on this if you so wish.

[xTottixCorex]

Overall this is a very well respected and highly rated boot. If you look at the semi pro and lower level leagues in the UK you will see tons of players in this boot, which is often the best way to get an idea of the level of quality of a boot. Among the players that wear and have worn this shoe are Alan Shearer, Henrik Larsson, Mark Hughes, Steve MacManaman, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, James Beattie, John Terry, countless lower level pros in the UK, Spain and Italy. The shoe is K-Leather, made in Italy, comes in standard round stud FG and 6 stud screw in SG. It is only avalible to the public in black and white with a black tounge, although there was a black and neon yellow and a black and white with large white tounge (think puma king) that have been sold over the past few years. There is also a limited edition model out now that has a lace cover that is part of the large tounge, these were showcased by Alan Shearer in his testimonial match but I have yet to see a player in them other than that.

I just picked up these boots today, I ordered a US 10.5 and 11 for sizing purposes and the fact that they are supposed to run very small, I was leary of just getting one pair then having to ship back and forth until a proper fitting pair arrived.

The 10.5's were very snug in length but wide and smaller than my 9.5 Copa's by about a 1/4 size. I also tried on the 11 and they were too wide and too long for my foot. I decided to go with the 10.5 and they streched to my foot shape and length in about 20 mins.

This boot is really one of the best constructed shoe I have ever put on, the outsole is has a lot of flexibility that aids the break in period quite a bit.The upper is stitched to the outsole and that will add life to the boot. They have a felt like tounge lining and insole that add comfort and breakin in right away.

I am very excited to play in them tomorrow, if the short time I had them on is a reflection of the over all quality and performance of the shoe then I am going be very pleased with these. The only down side to these is the Umbro logo is massive and may interfere with some peoples touch but you can easily remove them and unlike the Copa the logo isn't vital to the boots construction and lifespan.
i've always liked the umbro's, but never got around to buying a pair til this year. i totally forgot they run a full size too small and the 10.5 felt like 9.5. pretty terrible, plus i lost my receipt. so im stuck with them and might just go ahead and sell them in order to buy a new pair that do fit.

[Skizz]

I just thought I’d add my thoughts on another series of boots. Nike’s Mercurial Range have been an integral part of my football career for near enough 10 years, so here’s my thoughts on a few of their boots.

I was first introduced to the Nike Mercurial range in the mid to late 90‘s. I had just signed up for secondary school, and having been offered trials with a professional team I was told to buy one pair of boots by the club, and they would refund me the money. I eventually stumbled across what at the time was a new concept, the Nike Mercurial. Apparently designed with the assistance of Ronaldo, I decided (being a kid) that as we played the same position those were the boots I wanted. A pair of SG Black/Silver/Blue Mercurials were now in my possession. None of the KNG-100 or First Touch control coating marketing tactics mattered to me, all that mattered was that someone who was very good in my position wore the same boots as me. I recall the boots took a while to get used to. The material was awkward, having worn leather boots all my life this sudden change was difficult to adjust to. However, I was just happy with the fact that the boots kept my feet cool, I got a clean strike on the ball once I found the sweet spot on the boots, and they were in good nick. I do recall the boots did let in a bit of water in some games though!

Once the World Cup of 1998 came around. Ronaldo was now wearing a new pair of boots - the Mercurial 2. He obviously had his own swish Brazil colored boots (Silver/Blue/Yellow), but I decided that having enjoyed the other boots so much I would give these a go. I purchased the Mercurial 2 from the old Soccer Shop on Oxford Street opposite GAME which has now shut down - I got a complete bargain on them as I went into the closing down sale, and I got them for a knock down £30. Quite happy with this, I set to wearing them in. There was a bit of friction on the heel, but having experienced this before it was not a problem. There was little or no difference between the Mercurial 1 or 2, just a new look. I liked the look of these more than the others, and I still feel that these were one of the better looking boots Nike produced. Again having them in SG was great - I had no problems with them, until late in the season they developed a massive tear on the from of the boot, and I had to go back to wearing the Mercurial 1’s. Until then, the boots were fine, if not better than the Mercurials.

I can’t remember exactly when I got a pair of Match Mercurials - all I remember is at some stage I got a pair from a sponsor. They were the R9 edition, which were silver and lime. They felt completely different to the previous Mercurials at first. The stitching was different, the touch felt different, and it was just awkward. Tough luck for me as I only wore them for two games before I suffered my infamous injury. They were cut off my feet, end of Match Mercurials for me, and good riddance. For some reason I got blisters all over my bloody feet wearing them, they were hot and awkward…everything Nike advertised against.

So having left my club under a blaze of anonymity, and having gone through a long recouperation from my injury I started training with a new club. I went to Lillywhites in Piccadilly Circus to purchase some boots, and some immediately jumped out at me. A pair of white and black Nikes. Having read the label and discovered that these boots were the Mercurial Vapor, I invested in a pair. I handed over my £100 and left the shop. These boots were probably narrower than any I had and I thought they would give me blisters like the previous Mercurials. But no, they were fine. The new NikeSkin moulded to my feet within a few weeks, no blisters, and they were fine. I felt these were the best boots I had played in, and I felt like my old self again. I invested in a couple more pairs of the boots, in both SG (Charcoal/Surf Blue) and FG (White/Black and Chrome). I was (and still am) very pleased with their performance.

So then the Vapor II’s arrived on the scene. I invested in two pairs, the Gold and Surf Blue. What I had done with my previous Mercurials (bar the Vapors) was get them half a size small, but this didn’t work with these. They were FAR too small and constrictive on the feet. Sadly I had to sell them and I couldn’t find my size in the same colours! Therefore I went with the Navy (FG) and the White/Red (SG). Both boots have performed well, although recently a split developed in the front of the White/Red SG boots which is very noticeable and has rendered them unwearable.

Following this, the revamped and rebranded MVIII arrived on the scene. This boot was very different to the previous Vapors - slightly wider, differing material, with a foam heel cup and no external heel counter. This annoyed me, as the foam heel cup gave me massive blisters. I cut this out the boot and they were fine. I bought three pairs - SG Royal Blue and Red, and FG Platinum/Red. With the heel cup cut out these were fine, but still I missed the fine touch of the previous models.

In conclusion, I hope this brief and personal history lesson has been interesting. I would say the best boot of the series to serve its purpose was the Vapor or Vapor II, best looking is a lot more difficult to decide, but in terms of innovation the Mercurial range was an early trailblazer much like the TUNIT is now. Don’t overlook its contribution to “Speed” football boots.

[kiongsm]

Classics are here to stay.....my TOP 5:

1. mizuno morelia (either the Japan made or China made-just released last summer)
> THE BEST of the bests...zero break in time, extremely light, marvellously soft and visibly attractive (especially the big white fold-over tongue)
> the Japan-made has a rather shorter conical studs than the China-made (which is very much the same structure & alignment like the Copa-outsoles)
> sizing runs half-a-size shorter but stretches well to mould perfectly to your feet

2. diadora brasil md (the black-fluo yellow 2003-2005 model)
> really second to none!
> a little narrow but similar fit to the Copas
> top notch quality K-leder, hand crafted by the Italians

3. nike tiempo premier fg 4 or 5 or the model just b4 the Legends
> well, another top 5 classics
> superb K-leder, snug fit, just fantastic

4. puma king top di
> one of the best
> i find it rather "bulky" and the rear foot-sole a little narrow
> nonetheless, simply classically adorable

5. umbro speciali
> well, much was stated as above.......another classic of the classics
> yeah, runs at lest half-a-size shorter and havng a much narrower forefoot

You'll never go wrong or outdated with them!

Classics shall reign!

[HiFi]

Classics are here to stay.....my TOP 5:

1. mizuno morelia (either the Japan made or China made-just released last summer)
> THE BEST of the bests...zero break in time, extremely light, marvellously soft and visibly attractive (especially the big white fold-over tongue)
> the Japan-made has a rather shorter conical studs than the China-made (which is very much the same structure & alignment like the Copa-outsoles)
> sizing runs half-a-size shorter but stretches well to mould perfectly to your feet

2. diadora brasil md (the black-fluo yellow 2003-2005 model)
> really second to none!
> a little narrow but similar fit to the Copas
> top notch quality K-leder, hand crafted by the Italians

3. nike tiempo premier fg 4 or 5 or the model just b4 the Legends
> well, another top 5 classics
> superb K-leder, snug fit, just fantastic

4. puma king top di
> one of the best
> i find it rather "bulky" and the rear foot-sole a little narrow
> nonetheless, simply classically adorable

5. umbro speciali
> well, much was stated as above.......another classic of the classics
> yeah, runs at lest half-a-size shorter and havng a much narrower forefoot

You'll never go wrong or outdated with them!

Classics shall reign!

I spent a lot of my youth playing time in a boot from Adidas called the Gerd Mueller Goal.

I also remember seeing my set of Nike cleats, very basic, and nobody knew whether they were called Nikeeee or Nike (silent e).

I've now dated myself.......

[humpbackoak]

Classic boots are all about fit. Especially for wide-footed players like myself.I played barefoot until i was 12 and realised that i had to get a pair of boots so i could play for my class. My first pair of boots were the first predator rapiers, i wanted to play like a brazilian, just like the ads. after i realised that i wasn't ever going to grow the extra 1.5 sizes and plumped for a new pair of boots. My cousin recommended the copa mundials, they were about a size smaller but i managed to stretch them out. Beautiful stuff, soft, fit like a ballerina's shoe, most importantly there were no more blisters on my feet that no longer hurt like a can of sardines in someone's bum.

I played through 2 pairs (one stolen and one worn out) and then i dallied with the trend for flash, 'power' boots with blades like the champions league predators (the white davy beckham ones) and the air zoom total 90 II. Suddenly i started experiencing a lot of problems. Twisted ankles (every second game) Blisters (all the time) Intense pain on the sides of my feet.

Trouble was that with wide feet, the boots that fit the upper part of your foot will be a size or half two long and the boots that are just about the right length will kill your feet.Plus it didn't help that one of my feet was half /quarter size bigger than the other.

The last straw was when i wrenched my ankles playing in the predator pulses. I couldn't play for 4 months. I went out and bought a pair of classic boots. the lotto stadio. Fingers crossed it'll be nearly 2 years since i did my ankles in a pair of football boots and i'm really enjoying my football a lot more.

What's the difference? I wouldn't say that classic boots suit all tastes.they probably don't have as much bells and whistles, like the welts on the side of the predator that give that extra swerve, the external heel cup, the blades(god forbid), the asymetrical lacing. they don't come in all the colors of the 'bow. But they will last you till the studs wear out, which is a lot more than i can say for most of the boots nowadays, my predator pulses were starting to rip in the middle about 3-4 months. they'll mould faster to your feet, you'll turn and twist faster with the ball without fear of doing your ankles in when the blades stick in the ground. Honestly i think that's all one should really ask for when you go looking for a boot, your enjoyment of the game on the field is all about your comfort and your ability. i didn't feel like a better player when i used other boots, sure it was kinda nice when people thought i had nice boots, but it was even better when they thought i could play football.

[red & wite army]

Trouble was that with wide feet, the boots that fit the upper part of your foot will be a size or half two long and the boots that are just about the right length will kill your feet.

That is my exact problem with the classic boots - they just aren't the right shape.

[humpbackoak]

hmmm. but i was speaking in reference to non-classic boots, synthetic boots. most boots hurt at first but classic boots will stretch and conform to the shape of your foot.my trick is to pat them with a bit of water just before every game, sounds crazy but it works.

[actusreus13]

That is my exact problem with the classic boots - they just aren't the right shape.
I have the same problem with classic boots. I'm always surprised when I see people vote the Copas one of the most comfortable boots out there. I had the Adidas World Cup, which is the SG version of the Copas and it was torture to try to break them in. I tried for a few days but they gave me such bad blisters that I could not even walk in them, let alone kick. And the size was perfect--a little snug but comfortable when I first put them on. I gave up after 3 most painful days, and luckily eurosport took them back. I then tried the Copas in a store and, when they were perfect in length, my feet felt like they were in a vice, and I don't even have wide feet! The toe box felt way too tight as well. I have the Diadora Brasil Elite, original F.10s, and the Pulses, and they were all just fine from the get go, even though the Pulses felt almost too tight at the beginning. The Speciali are on my wish list, but I'm just afraid that I'll have a repeat of the World Cups. And I can't even try them on as none of the stores in my area carries them. Weird.

[lolio]

I like classic boots.

First thing, they're fully made of leather. This alone keeps them a notch above most of the modern ones (what's the point in having a leather tip when the ankle lining is god-awful plastic? Let alone the fully plastic ones)

Second, I like how they remain the same through the years. When you find the perfect one for you, you know that you can have it again and again, even if it breaks or gets too small. It's like a well-going marriage.

The only thing that I would improve is the range of colors, it adds variety to the choice. I like what Adidas is doing with Profis, I wouldn't mind a similar approach to Copas.

[Devil500]

I like classic boots.

First thing, they're fully made of leather. This alone keeps them a notch above most of the modern ones (what's the point in having a leather tip when the ankle lining is god-awful plastic? Let alone the fully plastic ones)

Second, I like how they remain the same through the years. When you find the perfect one for you, you know that you can have it again and again, even if it breaks or gets too small. It's like a well-going marriage.

The only thing that I would improve is the range of colors, it adds variety to the choice. I like what Adidas is doing with Profis, I wouldn't mind a similar approach to Copas.
Yeah the profi's are amazing boots too bad I'm not after another pair of boots! The Preds can be considered classic I guess just because they have been one of the marque boots the last century.

[red & wite army]

The Preds can be considered classic I guess just because they have been one of the marque boots the last century.

No, not really, because even though the Predator range has been around for years, the design of each boot has changed through the years. Meanwhile the Copa has been around for 25 years and very little has changed.

[Devil500]

No, not really, because even though the Predator range has been around for years, the design of each boot has changed through the years. Meanwhile the Copa has been around for 25 years and very little has changed.

True maybe eventually they'll just produce the classic and most popular Pred the manias again :(

[Dr.Phil]

Classic wide boot would be the Puma Kings

[humpbackoak]

hi there, Dr Phil. I've seen you post in other threads and you seem to have a pretty good opinion of the diadora brazils. do you reckon they're the best of the lot when it comes to classic boots?

[Dr.Phil]

hi there, Dr Phil. I've seen you post in other threads and you seem to have a pretty good opinion of the diadora brazils. do you reckon they're the best of the lot when it comes to classic boots?

I use the Copa

But For the last 2 yrs I thought about switching and trying out the Brazils.

I have tried them on and think they are real good boots. they were comfortable and the leather was good.

I would buy them this year but I have been love Strucked by the Profis

[appleCORR7]

Copas are great boots.

Its ashame really because sometimes i think that people miss out on seeing just how fantastic these boots are because they don't have any gimicks! Most people now over look them because they want a 'modern' boot.

I loved my copas. They are pretty mashed now and are slightly over stretched as they have been worn so much. And after i got past the terrible blisters that they gave me on the balls off my feet when i first had them. They have served me well. I'd recommend these boots to anyone!!

appleCORR

[Mr Vexed]

all about copa's and old skool puma kings. if you had those when you were at school back in the day you were safe from piss taking!