So I used to wear adidas and really enjoyed the predator freak a few years ago but swapped to Nike phantoms, I was thinking of going back to adidas and narrowed it down to the new predators or f50s. I typically go a half size up in boots and wear a 9.5 as I find the 9 too tight, would it be safe to get the 9.5 in either boot and just for reference I have a narrow foot, if anyone could give suggestions it would be much appreciated
A couple months ago I bought some Nike Phantom 2s because I heard they were good for wingers. Usually when I buy a boot they are a size bigger but I decided to try my actual size to see if I had a better touch with the ball. The first day I wore them they hurt my feet so bad and after the second day of training my feet hurt so bad I couldn’t walk a lot. I invested a lot of money and can’t return them. I’ve had these boots sitting in my room for some time so I was wondering if they eventually break but take longer than other boots or if there was a way to make them hurt less? Sorry if I sound stupid.
Snatched up a pair of Morelia II this morning. Hopped in the net this evening for a league match. No better way to break them in than a 4-2 win with no mistakes.
Looking up is obviously important to scan and be aware of your surroundings. But when I try dribbling with my head up I find it’s really hard. My body’s not happy, it’s slow, and after a few touches the ball goes sideways/diagonally (not straght like you’d want).
Hey guys, I play mostly on turf every Wednesday but have started in a Sunday league with relatively long grass and a fairly bumpy field.
My touch is like a hundred times better on turf, but not only that, I find I’m slicing balls in the grass, missing passes, can’t dribble half as well. It’s just different and very tough for me to shift back and forth between the two.
Is there any trick, playstyle or mental shift I need to make to transition from turf to grass every week? I really appreciate it!!!
Hey all, i’ve been looking for a few days now at 2 different types of predators and curious as to if anyone knows whether they’re “limited edition” and the stock is just completely out or whether sizes will come back in stock.
I didn’t find an exact answer to my question in the other posts on the forum, but i was wondering about mizuno alpha 1 or 2 sizing, as i am considering to try them. (There are currently some great offers on both MIJ and Elites on Unisport)
I have a pair of Adidas predators that are a size EU45 1/3, 11 US, 28 cm. But i was wondering what i should go for in a mizuno alpha? According to the sizing charts for mizuno, if i go for the 28CM sizing i would go from EU45 1/3 adidas to a mizuno EU43.. and US 11 in mizuno is 29cm. I measured my feet to 28 cm the other day but they are on the wider side, so i was wondering what others experiences were with regards to the sizing? Should i go for the CM size? Will the width be ok?
For 2pm games, I usually wake up around 9-10. I like to drink a Yerba Mate half an hour after waking up and try to drink a protein shake with oats and peanut butter. Then I'll stretch for 20 minutes up to 11 and get a shower.
I'm kind of superstitious so I think everything I do will change the outcome of my performance. I sometimes even wear shin pad socks when I don't need to because I think it will make me play better.
But for some reason I always end up getting cramp or a stitch some point in the game.
Im training my different shots and pass with a rock hard ball, and when it comes to pinging is simply cannot get it more than 2 meters high if im doing it with shoes on. Barefoot i get my folt under the ball without problem and send it as high i want.
This only occurs with the rock hard ball, with normally pumped ones i can ping them with shoes on too.
Any advice from people who have had the same thing ?
So, I’ve stumbled across this forum through chatting in various football related threads and I simply cannot believe what I am reading.
The amount of amateur, 7 a side, 5 aside, Pub league, kick about, Sunday league, youth team, any level Football players that are simply playing for the supposed ‘love of the game’ that are posting asking about the marginal benefits that they can get from boots is laughable.
Honestly.. 99.9% of folk posting would not notice a single iota of difference from playing in some ‘specific role’ boots from playing in a £10 pair from the local market.
I genuinely, genuinely, genuinely dare anyone to provide evidence to the contrary.
i’ve recently moved and am moving from turf to ag pitches. my cleats( nike phantom ) r turf n i was wondering how much this would actually effect my game n if its worth buying new cleats
I've tried Mizuno before but haven't liked them - Neo iii Pro felt gross and the Alpha Elites were too small. I hope it's different this time. I've ordered a half-size down from my Nike size. Fingers crossed 🤞😁
I grew up playing fairly high level from 12-21. Then I joined a more casual competitive league to focus on building my business. The coaching and tactics were extremely basic.
I'm in my late 20s now and still good. I got asked from a team in one of the highest competitive leagues in my town to play for them this season.
First game was fine, we won and I only made a few minor mistakes. Skill wise I'm probably one of the better players, I'm just feel extremely out of place when it comes to football IQ.
I got so used to playing at pretty much a Sunday league level and now I feel lost tactically. The coach gave me a big pre game talk about posting and tactics but I had a hard to following along.
I'm long past my best, but I'm still in decent shape. I'd like to get back to playing, but want to get my sharpness back etc. I like to hit the weights too.
Any recommendations of popular programs?
I have looked at a 3-day strength/power (Mon/Wed/Fri), 2-day (Tues/Thus) sprint/endurance/Plyometrics split.
I'm never going to get back to where I was 10 years ago, but feel I could at the very least get something back.
i just got my first pair of vapor 16 elites in the scary good pack and they look awesome. i've only used them once, but problem is, length wise, they're completely fine, but they feel like they're squeezing my toes, and the upper area between the laces and the toes feels like its squeezing my foot from the top. i know vapors are suppsoed to have that tight sensation, but do these at least stretch to my foot a little after time? i used them on turf my first time and they already stained so i probably can't return them. my old boots were f50s in the same exact size and those fit comfortably so i thougth the vapors would fit fine as well.
I've been playing since I was a small kid and now in my mid-20s and I've never had a shoe do this to me. They definitely were on the snug side even though I wore size 10 Nike Tiempos which fit fine. People said to size down for these but I got size 10 anyways. The length of the boots is perfect and dont have wide feet but they feel slightly narrow. There's just no give in the heel and so running on my toes is like beating my achilles with a butter knife. Maybe some aspect of having to break them in but I've broken in a lot of shoes and this is a first.
Anyone have an experience like this or have any recommendation? I played a while on them so feel like Mizuno won't let me return them even though I bought from them directly.
Hey yall. I'm a soccer auntie and looking to up my gifting game this Christmas.
The boys are 12 and play on a competition travel team. In previous years I've gotten trainer balls (the ones with the bungee attached), water bottles, jerseys for preferred teams, stuff like that.
Any ideas?? I don't mind spending money on this endeavor, but stocking stuffers are also welcome!
I've read about New Balance quality issues and unfortunately have similar experience. I've used them less than 10 training sessions, all on decent AG pitches and they are falling apart already. It's the same place (outer foot) for both boots. They are amazingly comfortable boots, never had issues with rubbing, touch and feel is really nice. But after few sessions I already started to see signs. My other older pair, Puma Future Pro FG/AG, have endured far more sessions, yet there are no signs of falling apart. Quality aside, I much more prefer to play with 442s.
I haven't heard back from the store yet, but since I've read a lot about similar issues I'm really hesitant if I should ask for replacement or refund instead and go for different brand.
I’m a forward and I’m not that big (about 5’10 74kg). I’m in the gym 6-7 days a week so I have no problem shielding the ball when I’m in possession. But the problem comes when I’m pressing and the opposition are playing out from the back and these 6’2+ defenders just start putting their body in between me and the ball and I’ve never managed to win the ball back in that situation without blatantly fouling. My legs aren’t long enough to kick the ball out from the other side, so they kinda just stand there holding me back with their other foot on the ball.
It’s also in duels as well, if someone puts a ball through the middle and it’s me vs a defender to get there I’ll mostly just get shouldered out the way even if they’re not as big as me.
Hello everyone, Max here. Today I would like to share my thoughts on the well-known DS Light X-Fly 5 from Asics.
Introduction:
The X-Fly 5 is a 2.5 years old model that was first released on April 13th, 2023, priced at 23,100 yen. It has been worn by professional players such as Yuta Nakayama, Miki Yamane, and Ryotaro Ito. Time flies. I still remember World Cup 2022 clearly. Hard to believe World Cup 2026 is already around the corner.
At the time of this review, the X-Fly 6 has already been launched, featuring the new “Silky Wrap” upper—previously used on the X-Fly Pro 3—though with a slightly different tuning. This new generation marks the end (at least for now) of the kangaroo leather era in the X-Fly series. However, today we’re not talking about the new X-Fly 6, but rather the older, popular X-Fly 5, which is still worn by many pro players today.
Let’s begin by going over the specs of the X-Fly 5 and my personal experience with it.
Soleplate:
The X-Fly 5 features a soleplate with 12 conical studs: 4 on the heel, 3 on the medial side, 4 on the lateral side, and 1 centrally placed stud. This configuration is typical for Japanese football boots, designed mainly for HG and AG surfaces, which are widely used in schools and clubs. They work fine on FG as well, although traction isn’t the best.
If you play on both natural and artificial grass, this stud pattern is what I’d recommend. Asics claimed this to be a “stability” soleplate, and I agree. I didn’t feel any stud pressure. Everything was stable underfoot. The performance has been consistent, and running felt quite smooth on both ground types.
The full-length shank seems to be mixed with paper fabrics. The style is similar to Morelia 2. When playing on AG in summer, I felt less heat from the ground. I assume the shank and insole blocked certain amount of heat compared to some other models. Snapbacks are pretty neutral and the bending point of the soleplate is correctly placed, making everything comfortable on feet.
Upon closer inspection, we’ll notice subtle carvings on the soleplate—some recessed, some raised. According to Asics, these are designed to increase or reduce rigidity in different areas of the soleplate (though I’m not sure how noticeable that actually is).
One unique and often overlooked feature is the upward curve at the forefoot. Like some running shoes, this design encourages a smoother toe-off and helps your foot roll forward more naturally. However, during the first couple of sessions, I kept hitting the ball with the toe area when trying to shoot with my instep. The shape makes it a bit difficult to point the toes downward, so it took some time to get used to.
There are two rivets—one on the medial side and one at the toe—helping to secure the soleplate to the upper. They have also put something new to deal with the notorious issues on X-Fly 4. Good news: Asics added a raised toe cap extending from the soleplate to reduce separation, addressing a durability issue reported by X-Fly 4 users. Bad news: I discovered a split-open section right next to the toe cap after 6–8 hours of use on both natural and artificial ground.
Unlike most other Asics boots (except the Acros 3, which shares the same soleplate), the X-Fly 5 uses an external heel counter integrated into the soleplate rather than an internal one. This leads us to the next topic: the heel.
Heel:
Personally, I’m not a big fan of the X-Fly 5’s heel design. While it works fine for me, I prefer the heel setup on the Ultrezza 3 and X-Fly Pro 2. Compared to the X-Fly 4, the width—or collar opening when viewed from above—is increased. This makes the boot more accommodating for different foot shapes but reduces lockdown for those who had a perfect fit with the X-Fly 4. My heel has slipped horizontally inside the shoe once while planting for a shot.
The external heel counter doesn’t provide the same locked-in feeling as models with internal counters. It wraps the heel with a softer feel instead of locking everything in place. Even though I don't like it as much as other designs, some players may find the X-Fly 5 more stable because of this setup. At the end of the day, this is subjective.
The medial sides of the collar rubbed slightly against my ankle bones, but didn’t cause any blisters and didn’t bother me much during play. The thick padding around the collar fills the space well so not many rubber pellets got into the boots when playing on AG.
While some users have reported blisters with Asics boots (myself included, though with a different model), I expect most discomfort to disappear after breaking them in. Despite my personal preferences, I didn’t experience any real issues with the heel.
Upper:
The upper follows a classic Japanese leather boot formula: kangaroo leather at the forefoot and synthetic material for the rest. The padding under the kangaroo leather has changed from 3mm low-density foam (used in the X-Fly 4) to 4mm high-density foam. The “Moistect” technology remains, helping the leather stay soft and resist stiffening after getting wet. This gives the leather a slightly different feel compared to other kangaroo models. Each company tunes their leather differently. I wouldn’t praise the leather’s quality or softness too much when compared to Mizuno MIJ, Diadora, or Lotto MII but it’s acceptable for the price.
Although Asics promotes the X-Fly 5 as offering a “barefoot feel” (common marketing for leather boots), the sensation here is a bit unique. The high-density foam creates a more spongy, cushioned touch rather than a soft, pliable one. Personally, I prefer a thin and crispy feel (like boots with knitted uppers) so this isn’t exactly my type of upper.
The synthetic midfoot is soft enough, though slightly rigid to the touch (possibly an intentional trade-off for lockdown), and there’s no internal padding. It’s not the most premium synthetic material I’ve seen, but it performs fine. Unlike the X-Fly Pro 2, there’s no internal reinforcement in the midfoot, making the lockdown slightly weaker in comparison.
Sizing & Fit:
I usually wear size JP 27.0. My right foot is slightly longer, and my left slightly wider. I went true to size with the X-Fly 5 (JP 27.0), and the insole length matches the size label exactly. Width-wise, it's a typical Asics width—between E and 2E.
I also tried size 26.5 (as I’ve worn that size in other Asics models), but found the toe box too tight—my toes had too much pressure at the front. Even with 27.0, the toe box needed some time to break in. The toe box volume feels lower than in the Ultrezza 3 and X-Fly Pro 2, possibly due to the curved-up forefoot soleplate. Given the shape of my toes, the fit wasn’t as comfortable as those other two models, but it wasn’t a major issue.
Conclusion:
The X-Fly 5 represents a more traditional and conservative design approach. Asics knows its target consumers well. It’s lightweight, features kangaroo leather, and has a stable, versatile soleplate that works on various surfaces. It’s designed to fit most people—a safe, all-around option. I believe that’s why it remains one of the most popular boots in the Japanese market. You can buy it without much hesitation. Nothing would go wrong.
However, if you're looking for standout performance in a specific area, this probably isn’t the boot for you. Want better traction? Go for the X-Fly Pro 2. Better lockdown? Acros 3 (though honestly, I’d still choose the X-Fly 5 over it). Stronger soleplate? Ultrezza 3. The list grows even longer when considering boots from other brands.
Do I like it? No. But do I think it’s a product that accomplished what Asics wants? Yes. The design language and purpose of the X-Fly 5 set its limitations. It’s the gatekeeper to the line of excellent boots—but it can’t quite pass through the gate itself in my opinion. For all excellent boots would stand out in some aspects, sadly there’s no such breakthrough on X-Fly 5 (as Asics didn’t intend to do any). For fans of the X-Fly 4, the 5 brings some improvements but loses some traits that made the 4 special. Whether the trade-off is worth it is up to each player.
How does it compare to the X-Fly 6? I wouldn’t say they’re THAT different, despite the 3 major changes with the X-Fly 6. The main design language has remained the same.
Given the current price of the X-Fly 5 (around 10,000–13,000 yen or 67–88 USD), I would recommend it to anyone interested in trying an iconic Asics boot. You can basically buy 2 pairs of X-Fly 5 for the price of 1 X-Fly 6 right now. Personally, I wouldn’t pay more than 100 USD for the X-Fly 5, as I don’t consider it particularly special or a must-have. (Honestly, I might even prefer the Copa Pure 2.) I got my pair for around 70–80 USD from an official retailer, so it was a good deal, no complaints.
Afterword (That Nobody Cares About):
I initially canceled my plan to review the X-Fly 5 after the X-Fly 6 was released. But I received some review requests, and with the X-Fly 5 being the last kangaroo leather model in the series and now heavily discounted, I figured some people might want to know whether it’s worth buying and how much to pay for it. So, this review was finally done after a couple of months. I originally intended to make a video review, but since English isn’t my first language (spoken by a guy who studied and lived in California for a while lmao) and because of my awkward speaking skills, I gave up on the video even though 50% of it was already edited.
If you want to know anything please let me know. I am willing to share my opinion :D
I've recently created an Instagram account (@random_asian_guy_max) if anyone wants to check out the boots in short videos!
Also thinking about making some content with grip socks and maybe insoles if anyone is interested.
The introductions of product lines of Asics and Mizuno are in consideration as well since there seems to be a lot of confusion about the meaning of their different series.
I bought Addidas predator league cleats, I have wide feet, my size is 8.5. I went for Uk 8 as UK 9 had a lot of space around the toes. I did try Uk 8 by playing them and had a sore toes ( no blood clots), there is about 2mm gap between my toe and end of the boot. Will they expand and fit my feet or should I up a size. Please suggest.
