If you’re on a budget and are looking for a classic, reliable shoe, there’s no better place to start than with the new Nike Tiempo Mystic IV FG. It’s an updated version of the Tiempo Mystic III FG and I’ll say I was pleasantly surprised that Nike has put a bit of work into the shoe from version to version.
There’s a reason that players like Javier Hernandez, Gerard Pique, and Tim Howard all sport a version of this shoe (the most expensive one, The Nike Tiempo Legend Elite, if you were wondering). It’s a quality shoe with predictable performance that lasts all match and campaign long. This all starts with the full grain natural leather. Natural leather is renowned for delivering players a (surprise) natural touch on the ball. Plus, the material shapes to your foot, so it’s as if you are getting a custom fit boot. The shoe is also quite comfortable, thanks in large part to the high density EVA sockliner (which does feel cushier than the previous iteration of the Mystic). It provides a nice level of arch and heel support that will keep you moving on the pitch. The outer, however, is where the shoe really shines by combining yesteryear’s technology with modern speed.
The secret to this clever combination of technologies comes from the mix of bladed studs and conical studs along the outsole. Not many boots these days are renowned for their conical studs so Nike decided to introduce some bladed ones in the shoe not only to appease those skeptical of the old technology but also to increase turning radius and acceleration off the ball. The result is a boot that is amazingly fast given it’s value price point. Plus, to hold it all together is a lightweight TPU plate that is both durable and flexible. During testing, I performed cuts with absolute ease and felt light on my feet, the two characteristics of a modern boot, interestingly enough.
With classic performance coupled with modern technologies, this shoe is terrific and at under $70, it’s definitely toward the top of my list for a value shoe.
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