Nike first unveiled their famous CTR360 line in 2010,
which brought about further modernization to a rapidly changing footy boot world. This was the first boot in which Nike
specifically had a position in mind when constructing – the playmaker. I will have an article in the near future
discussing the evolution of the CTR360 Maestri line (I, II, III), so for now I
will just get straight into the review.
By Ricky Patel
I heard from various sources that the new Maestri III run
a little smaller than the previous models.
For that reason, I got a half-size larger than I normally do (a size 9.5
US rather than my usual size 9 US) – and I am glad I did! The fit is just about perfect – I imagine if I
went with my size 9, my feet would have been way too cramped – so I am happy
with the size I got. You don’t have to
worry about any overstretching as the Kanga-Lite is a synthetic that gives very
little stretch – so what you start out with is pretty much going to be the fit for
the boots entire life.
Comfort
If there is one thing the Nike CTR360 Maestri series is
known for, it’s the exceptional comfort it provides. Straight out of the box (given you have the
right size), these are like pillows on your feet – no exaggeration! As mentioned in the Sizing section, the upper is made of Nike’s Kanga-Lite synthetic
leather, which is extremely soft and has some cushioning that rests nicely on
your feet. A large portion of the heel
section is lined with a very soft suede material, similar to the Tiempo Legend
IV (but in the Maestri III, the suede material covers a bit more space). The soleplate is thick enough, so you will
not experience any stud pressure or discomfort on artificial grounds (turf) or
natural surfaces (grass fields).
Performance
The Maestri III is almost a completely different boot
from both its predecessors. The Maestri
III has been stripped down of almost all its technology that made the Maestri
series such a player-favorite in the boot community. This was, I think, to reduce the weight and
compete with the demands for lighter weight boots for players (which I
personally do not agree with). The first
thing that stood out was the absence of the dampening pods on the outside of
the forefoot. I was a huge fan of these
on the previous release, as it created a slight cushioning effect when
receiving the ball in that area of the boot.
Now with the Maestri III, that area is covered with a sort of golf ball
dimpling on the bare upper, which in my experience has no effect at all on the
touch or performance of the boot – I am not saying that this is a bad thing,
but it did leave me slightly disappointed.
Next, is the revolution of the pass pad- this new one covers a lot more
space than the previous model. This area
does nothing more than create the feeling that you made a solid pass or shot
with your instep – as it provides an ever so slight grippy feeling – this will
in no way improve your accuracy in passing or finesse shooting (and no
technology will, for that matter!). The
upper is also slightly thinner and lighter than the previous models, but does
offer a little bit more cushioning (a plushy sort of feel) – which I really
like! The Kanga-Lite 2.0 is super soft,
and arguably the best synthetic out on the market – the touch you get on these
truly feel similar to that of a high quality leather. Moving back into the weight aspect, the
Maestri III falls into the category of what I call the “perfect weight range”
for soccer shoes (between 7.5-9.5 oz).
They have a listed weight of 9.2 oz; however, when I weighed these on
the scale they read 8.5oz. They feel
extremely light on feet! With regards to
traction, the stud pattern is completely redesigned and reminiscent of the
Tiempo Legend IV layout. With this, they
offer solid performance on both turf and natural grass fields.
Durability
The CTR360 Maestri II was one of the most durable and
well-constructed boots I have ever worn.
While the Maestri III doesn’t feel as sturdy as its predecessor, I can
say that these have held up quite well so far.
After about 2 months of use (including uses on both turf and grass
fields), these still look great – keep in mind that I clean my boots after
every, or every other wear. For those of
you wondering, the “Pass Pad” feels almost cemented on, so there are no worries
about the fins falling off. All in all,
I can see these lasting the average player a season, maybe even two, without
any problems. However, I honestly cannot
see the Maestri III lasting over 2 seasons.
They just aren’t built with the steel of the Maestri II.
Negatives
There are two things I was
slightly disappointed with on this boot.
The loss of the memory foam dampening pods is one- but this I admit is
unjustified as I should be judging the Nike CTR360 Maestri III as an individual
boot, not as a comparison to its predecessor.
The other thing is not related to the performance: the upper scuffs
fairly easily on the lighter color ways, and it is extremely difficult to get
them off. I know this only applies to
some of us, but I like my boots looking spic and span! Other than those two small things, this boot
is fantastic.
Conclusion
The Nike CTR360 Maestri III is an excellent all around
boot. In fact, it is right up there in
my favorite boots to play in!
Comfort: 10/10
Durability: 8.5/10
Performance: 9/10
Value: 9/10
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