The Mizuno Morelia NEO II Beta

The Mizuno Morelia Neo II BETA football boots are quite simply the Rolls-Royce of football boots – a lighter version of the standard model. We could talk for hours on end about our thoughts on everything this Mizuno has to offer, particularly on what the Japanese brand deserves and more – above all, what it truly deserves. Normally, the general public completely ignores this brand. Mind you, we don’t blame you, as this brand isn’t backed by world-class players, merchandising, or the same level of financial clout as, say, adidas, Nike or Puma, to name but a few. But believe us when we say that Mizuno’s quality and materials far surpass those of the brands mentioned above.

Mizuno Morelia - Are they the best boots on the market?

We are copying and pasting what we’ve said on previous occasions – we never tire of saying it. We had the chance to speak on Fútbol Emotion’s ‘El Vestuario’ programme about the Tokyo Nights collection, specifically the Mizuno Morelia Made in Japan boots; they’re the best football boots we’ve ever tried. We know many of you will think we are exaggerating, but believe us, that’s exactly how we feel. Mizuno likes to do things its own way, far removed from the hustle and bustle of European football.

The Japanese brand has carved out its own distinctive style when it comes to producing football boots and futsal shoes, using traditional, artisanal methods in its small factory in Osaka, whilst never losing sight of innovation and boldness – as exemplified by the Mizuno Rebula 3 football boot, which embodies complexity and technology taken to the extreme. The leather used in Mizuno’s boots is simply sublime, making the Japanese brand the best at working with leather of all the brands. Mizuno’s ‘MADE IN JAPAN’ is synonymous with a winning combination.

The upper of this Morelia, made in Japan, is what really justifies its ‘high price’; we make no secret of the fact that these may well be the most expensive football boots. Unlike the Indonesian-made version, the quality of this leather is strikingly obvious. The feel of it, and how quickly this football boot moulds to your foot. How on earth can this classic-style boot be so light? We can’t imagine how Mizuno manages to live up to the term ‘lightweight football boot’ so effectively, as the Mizuno Morelia weighs just under 160 grams in a size 42.

It’s worth noting that the forefoot features one of the finest kangaroo leathers available today, which covers the entire striking area, providing simply perfect touch and comfort, as well as a lightness rarely seen in boots that use these materials, thanks to this relatively thin layer of leather, making these clearly boots designed for speed – even more so in the case of the special edition, the Mizuno Morelia Neo II Beta, which is much lighter than the traditional ‘Made in Japan’ version. Let’s not forget to mention the stitching that runs across this entire area, ensuring the leather does not stretch excessively and lose its shape.

On the other side of the upper, there is an extremely lightweight synthetic microfibre that helps with the fit and, above all, reduces the boot’s weight; indeed, this model weighs around 160 grams, confirming that it is undoubtedly an ultra-lightweight boot. At the back, we can see the Mizuno logo and the lacing area, leading on to the heel section, where there is a rounded external heel counter that helps to maximise comfort and fit.

Turning our attention to the sole, we can see that it’s a Pebax plate with a classic stud layout: 13 rounded studs, except for the central one, which is a laminated stud designed to aid running. These studs are really firm and offer a good option for those of you who want a lightweight boot with more traditional support without sacrificing traction whilst running. There are also flex zones to ensure the boot bends ‘where it’s meant to’, as well as a detail at the front: two reinforcement rivets on the toe cap, which are sure to help prevent that part from coming away easily – a common problem, particularly for players who switch between natural and artificial grass. An interesting detail of the external heel counter is its design: this ‘buttress’ at the heel is made from two densities of Pebax – a thinner, softer material at the top and a stiffer, high-density material further down – providing exceptional support whilst running.

That’s what the Mizuno Morelia Neo II and Mizuno Morelia Neo II Beta are like – handcrafted with care and quality – for all those who love the leather F50s or lightweight leather boots, you now have a model to suit your taste.