The List | Our Top Ten Boots of 2013 - Football News

As 2013 comes to a close we take a look back at a huge year of boot releases to pick out our top 10 football boots. Next generation boots, completely new silos and limited edition releases make their way onto our list as we finally settle on a final order counting down from ten to one.

We've seen innovation barriers smashed down time and time again, brands taking weight reduction to new levels and a whole host of epic launch events involving some of the world's best footballers. Right from the first big launch of the year, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX in February up to the latest boot to drop, the Tiempo Legend V in December, we recap the past 12 months to bring you our top 10 boots of 2013...



10. PUMA evoSPEED 1.2 – Kicking off our countdown is the PUMA evoSPEED 1.2. Launched in May as the second generation evoSPEED the boot was inspired by the smooth curves and dynamic airflow lines found on race cars and has been worn by some of Europe's top strikers including Sergio Aguero, Falcao and Olivier Giroud.

PUMA had re-designed their evoSPEED to feature a bold brand presence on the instep of each boot as well as focusing on technology to add GripTex, a 3D transparent print which delivers extra grip to improve touch in wet conditions.

9. adidas adiPURE 11Pro – In at our no.9 is the reworked adidas adiPURE 11Pro model launched as part of the Samba Pack in November. The modernised 11Pro was the sixth generation adiPURE in a collection that stretches back to 2007. Quilted with a premium, ultra-soft Taurus leather the adiPURE was crafted to deliver premium comfort using memory foam to allow your foot to mould into the boot for a custom fit.

The build of the 11Pro took a step back to the silos heritage roots with the classic three stripes on the side of the boot and the banishing of the miCoach cell. The adiPURE was given further identity by adidas adding '11Pro' wrapping boldly around the heel.



8. Nike Mercurial Vapor IX - The first mainstream launch of the year came in the shape of the Mercurial Vapor IX as Nike revolutionised the landscape of their speed silo. The Mercurial IX was engineered with a completely new upper using Nike’s Speed Control texture to give players enhanced friction that combined with a snug and responsive fit.

The Mercurial Vapor IX has since been released in an abundance of colourways and limited edition versions. Built for players looking to perform to their maximum acceleration football's first speed silo is still one of the most popular boots amongst professionals.



7. adidas Copa Mundial White/Black - At the end of September adidas shook up one of the greatest boots of all time by introducing a second white/black colourway to the Copa Mundial, a boot whose classic black/white appearance had been untouched for 31 years.

The Copa Mundial is adidas' best selling boot having been picked off the shelves over 10 millions times and the release of the white/black limited editions caught a few people by a surprise and split opinion on whether a classic such as the Copa should be tampered with. For us though, it's one of the most distinctive and landmark launches of the year and rightfully drops in as our number 7.

6. Nike Premier – As the 12/13 season finished Nike launched the Premier; a beautiful leather boot wrapped up in classic Nike style. A stripped back boot focused on comfort with an old school look, the visual inspiration from the Premier came from the iconic 1994 Tiempo Premier and the first shoe to ever carry the Swoosh, a 1971 boot called 'The Nike'.
 

The premium leather used for the upper set a new benchmark for softness and feel for leather boots and the launch was greeted with open arms by boot traditionalists who were crying out for an alternative from complicated innovation dipped in vibrant paint jobs.



5. adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 – Sneaking into the top 5 is the adidas Nitrocharge. The Nitrocharge formed a new four silo boot line up for adidas with the boot being aimed at 'the engine' of a team, the box-to-box midfielder. Packed with new innovations from the adidas lab the Nitrocharge was inspired by spring geometry to provide maximum energy output.

The most distinctive feature of the Nitrocharge was the Energysling - a high-elasticity rubber band designed to support side-cut and turn movements. A monumental launch event in Barcelona saw adidas introduce Dani Alves, Danielle De Rossi and Javi Martinez into the new silo that has also tempted Steven Gerrard out of the Predator.



4. Nike Tiempo legend V – Almost 20 years after the very first Nike Tiempo model December brought the arrival of the re-worked and re-designed Tiempo Legend V. A boot that was 2 and a half years in the making, the fifth generation Tiempo saw the return of Kangaroo leather on the upper and a bold new look using characteristics from the Nike Ronaldinho Dois boot.

Released in the most radical launch colourway to ever feature on the silo the Tiempo uses luxurious quilted K-leather with an increased clean strike zone. The launch aimed to reinstate a personality into the boot with players such as Ashley Cole, Gerard Pique and Ronaldihno featuring in 'I am Tiempo' films. Deservedly earns a place amongst our top 5.



3. adidas F50 adizero – Next generation speed arrived in November as adidas launched an all new adizero F50 model to headline their Samba Pack and the fact it weighed an unbelievable 150g is enough alone to earn a place on our podium. The lightest ever F50 landed with a stack of new technology designed to aid player performance.
 

The F50 remains one of the most popular football boots on the market and the next generation design packed a huge on-pitch presence; two bright launch paint jobs combined with the sheer amount of F50 players produced an unmissable display on pitch as adidas hammered down the innovation walls by creating their lightest ever boot without sacrificing durability. Worthy Bronze medallist.



2. Nike HyperVenom – Our runner up for football boot of 2013 is the Nike HyperVenom. The HyperVenom had everything, a monumental launch event in Brazil, a new star in Neymar to headline the boot and a new breed of attack identity to replace the T90 silo. Nike pitched the HyperVenom as the ultimate attacking weapon for a new breed of player.
 

A completely new boot created with feedback from top players including Neymar, Wayne Rooney and Gonzalo Higuain the HyperVenom used a new technology called NikeSkin to offer the closest ball feel possible. A boot that can lure in numerous world class players straight from it's launch is a boot that belongs in our top 2.



1. Nike Mercurial R9 Chrome – Here it is ladies and gentlemen, our no.1 football boot of 2013 - The Nike Mercurial Vapor XV. Just 1,998 pairs were released worldwide and for exclusivity alone they take the crown. They may not have appeared on pitch much this year but if you could pick one boot to own from 2013 the Mercurial XV is hands down the most desirable.

The Mercurial XV was a special edition release launched to commemorate 15 years since Ronaldo wore the first ever Mercurial at the 1998 World Cup. Fifteen pairs of Chrome editions were also released but as they never hit the shelves we're labelling them as void. A modern construction of a landmark classic - the story, the visuals, the limited edition factor, the presentation, for us, it's our boot of the year.

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