Nike’s futsal shoes have always been associated with cutting-edge technologies, which on occasion strayed from what futsal players actually needed. This time round, the American brand’s approach is clearly rooted in tradition, taking the form of three classic-style shoes: the Nike React Tiempo Legend VIII, perhaps the boot that brings the most technological innovation to this ‘Sunrise’ collection. The traditional Nike Tiempo Premier II Sala, the most conservative and the most classic. And finally, one of the best futsal shoes on the market and a firm favourite amongst players: the Nike Lunar Gato II.
The Nike Sunrise Pack Nike
The inspiration behind this new collection stems from Nike’s determination and drive to reclaim its position as the leader in the 40x20 category. A new dawn for these three futsal shoes. Futsal today is a major sport, and we mustn’t assume that the American brand has only just jumped on the bandwagon; before we look at this collection, we need to consider two key factors: firstly, the fact that it counts the world’s best futsal player, Ricardinho, amongst its ranks; and secondly, the return of the Nike Lunar Gato II to the courts. Nike listened to its audience and, in February 2019, brought back the best shoe it has ever produced in its futsal history.
Nike React Tiempo Legend VIII Pro
We have understood up to now that Nike’s PRO range is regarded as the mid-range within each silo; in this case, however, that is not the case, as the ELITE range has no place in the Tiempo silo and thus becomes the flagship of the high-end range. The fact that the Swoosh brand may not be the favourite amongst most futsal fans does not detract from the fact that it offers us some truly marvellous products, as is the case here, featuring in the Top 5 ranking of the best high-end futsal shoes.
The upper is crafted from extremely soft natural leather designed to make contact with the ball, aided by a 3D hexagonal design, which allows the leather to flex and adapt without creating any slack or giving way excessively, whilst also providing additional grip when controlling the ball. The standout feature of these Nike futsal shoes lies in their midsole, which incorporates one of the leading technologies in the world of running – React – responsible for delivering excellent cushioning and energy return with every step.
Nike Tiempo Premier II Sala
Let’s start with the upper, which is made from natural leather, although there are a few nuances. Firstly, the main material is once again that ‘mesh’, which shows us that this is a model designed specifically for this sport and not an adaptation, as we see in other cases where the upper is simply copied. This mesh is found in many different types of futsal shoes and, as well as making the boot lighter, it helps with breathability. This construction is complemented by a layer of suede on the front, giving us not only excellent durability but also a truly exquisite feel.
As for the outsole, we can see that it is the same as that found on Nike’s ‘IC’ or indoor models; it features a hexagonal pattern that extends across the entire surface and is combined with the ‘Lunarloon’ midsole – a material which, as well as being responsive, ensures the shoe fits like a glove.
Nike Lunar Gato II
As always, let’s start with the upper. The upper is crafted from an extremely soft and flexible natural leather, which provides perfect contact with the ball, whether you’re ready to shoot or to keep the ball close to your foot. One of the features that ensures durability is the grained reinforcement panel, both on the toe and on the sides. This synthetic material is heat-sealed to the leather. The sides of the shoe feature panels with Hyperfuse technology, which is combined with a mesh to make it lighter and more breathable, reinforced with side panels that provide rigidity, capable of withstanding all the lateral movements that are so common in futsal.
Let’s move on to the outsole, where we find one of the biggest innovations: PURE ERGONOMICS. This part of the shoe is divided into three main zones, each with a different design tailored to the specific needs of that area. In the forefoot and outer section, there is a design featuring small perforations which, upon contact with the track, provide excellent grip. In the forefoot and inner section, we see a simple multi-linear design, intended to support the foot, and finally, in the heel section, there is a design similar to that of the inner forefoot but with much more widely spaced lines to provide greater stability.
Lunarlon is one of the American brand’s flagship cushioning technologies. Lunarlon made its debut in 2008 in the running sector with the Lunarglide model. At that time, Lunarlon was Nike’s most cutting-edge technology, until the hugely popular React was introduced in 2017. The technology behind the Nike Lunar Gato II shoe consists of a soft foam core injected into a lightweight structure; this ensures that all the impacts we experience on the pitch are distributed evenly across the entire sole, thereby significantly reducing the strain on our heels and forefoot – the areas that usually bear the brunt of the impact. Lunarlon remains a staple in the world of futsal, primarily due to its exceptional durability.
