After nearly a decade, Adidas have lastly introduced again the beloved F50 silo by releasing a particular version colourway for certainly one of its most distinguished wearers, Lionel Messi.
Nonetheless, this particular version colourway is a noticeable shift away from what made the unique beloved by followers and gamers alike.
With Messi’s personal private customisations below fixed consideration, Adidas have determined to present the sequence an replace in tribute to the Argentinian World Cup winner. The design pays tribute to a number of the alternations featured on Messi’s footwear lately.
I attempted out a pair to have a look at the efficiency of the boot and whether or not they’re value giving a go.
Adidas F50 Elite Messi assessment
Not like the mainline model of the Adidas F50 Elite, the Messi replace features a hybridtouch higher which feels extra leather-based like – comprehensible as that’s the Inter Miami celebrity’s choice.
Comfortable and pliable to start with, count on the higher to turn out to be much more snug as you rack up the minutes. Nonetheless, this boot nonetheless requires a bit break in time – round three or 4 periods ought to do the trick.
Whereas the within of the F50 Elite Messi has a skinny suede lining, a well-cushioned heel space makes for a snug, premium really feel.
Fittingly, for maybe probably the most versatile participant in historical past, the boot comes with two units of insoles – ‘consolation’ and ‘pace’. The previous is barely thicker, naturally taking over a bit extra quantity inside the boot.
Sizewise there is no such thing as a want to leap up. I went with my typical 9.5 UK and was completely satisfied to seek out the boots match me true to dimension – a pleasant grip with little to no room within the forefoot.
The Messi-favoured “burrito” tongue not solely makes for a smoother expertise placing the boot on – but in addition a large amount of lockdown to assist maintain that safe feeling. Crucially, that is achieved with out feeling overly compressive.
On the subject of width, the F50 Elite Messi might be described as impartial and shouldn’t be a problem for many foot varieties. Regardless of being technically labeled as a ‘pace’ boot, the dash body 360 outsole will not be as aggressive as most would count on on a burner boot.
However what’s missing in pace is made up for in traction. That is because of a stud sample that includes a mixture of chevron, conical and bladed studs. This – crucially – doesn’t come on the expense of freedom of motion. On the pitch, I all the time felt cellular and nimble in these boots.
My solely main gripe is the soleplate. It must be a bit snappier. Solely then will the wearer get that ‘in your toes feeling’ related to the finest pace soccer boots – and what most of us must even get near recreating the passes and actions Messi accomplishes. The soleplate is stiff, however on the optimistic facet it nonetheless gives a variety of assist.
Alternatively, the contact on the ball is certainly one of this boots’ most important strengths. The skinny and leather-like higher of the hybridtouch gives a minimalistic and barefoot really feel on the ball, harking back to the older F50 fashions. This caters for these buying a pair primarily for a nostalgia journey. As with the unique design, the boots even have a low-profile toe field, permitting for gamers to get beneath the ball when occurring a mazy dribble.
General, the F50 Elite Messi is a profitable, and welcome, version to the sequence. For consolation and contact it’s near unbeatable. The well-designed higher, together with the low toe field, gives gamers with a really responsive contact of the ball. This ensures passing, dribbling and hanging the ball feels extraordinarily pure. Playmakers specifically will really feel proper at dwelling in a pair.
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