The Nike Magista Opus II football boots landed in August for the 2016-2017 season. Off the bat, we have to say that if a frog and a football boot were ever to reproduce, their offspring may look something like the turquoise version of this boot. Is that a bad thing? Read on to find out as we review the Nike Magista Opus IIs.
Are Nike Magista Opus II football boots worth buying?
Click here to check the current low price on Amazon.co.uk
Name – 8/10
Nike has got a solid name here. It’s nothing too flash and fantastical, but nothing too mundane to bore us all to death. Tough to really go wrong here unless they’d have called it the Magista Opusvenom Hyperphantoms.
Look – 8/10
Nike Magista Opus 2 football boots – both boots
In a similar way to the Puma evoSPEED Fresh football boots, we like this boot because of its unique appearance. What we meant in the intro with the frog comparison was referring to the frog-like exterior, but we will come to that later.
Apart from that green colour, these Magistas also come in a yellow, green and red combo, as well as white blue and green. The red and blue areas respectively cover the striking area of the boot, which makes for cool viewing. The boots with the red ‘strikezone’ especially look on point, as it resembles a heat map of the boot and where the ball has been kicked.
Style – 8/10
Nike Magista Opus 2 football boots – top view
It is simple, but not boring, and that is essential. The raised dots spots across the front exterior of the boot are like nothing we have seen with any other boot type. It is a bit of a gamble, but Nike’s ingenuity here has paid off. The result helps the boot’s performance while simultaneously making it stand out on that shelf in the shop.
On look alone without even wearing the football boot, it is clear that these Magistas are wider than other models. This is beneficial for certain components of football such as control, as well as enhancing stability and the overall durability of the boot. What football boot should I buy if I have wide feet? Well, the Nike Magista Opus IIs is your answer.
Features – 8/10
Nike Magista Opus 2 football boots – front view
As mentioned above, the Opus IIs have an exterior which consists of raised dots across the top and the sides. Nike have official stated that they enhance control and first touch, which is true. The uneven and literally bumpy outer of the boot ensures that as the ball makes contact with it, it is effectively met with an initial layer of cushioning (the raised dots) which absorbs some of the power from the ball. It then meets the actual outer part of the boot which absorbs the remaining power from the ball, ultimately making it easier to control any type of pass given to you.
However, from our first-hand use during testing, we really felt a difference with power from the boot. I found that with simple 15/20 yard lofted passes, they were frequently being overhit and going over the target’s head. Similarly, while in crossing positions, I was finding that simple outswingers from the swing or chipped balls into the box were either way overhit or mutilate into a fiercely driven cross. Before anyone thinks to point out the obvious and question whether it was simply my footballing ability which made those passes and crosses avoid their target as opposed to the boots, once I got the feel of the Opus IIs, I found my range again. This is in fact really useful though, as once you get to grips with the beauties that you’re wearing, you range is heightened significantly. This means your shots will be more powerful and you will find yourself having a longer range of passing.
Another feature of the Magistas is the lock-in tongue. It is nothing too technical, but basically we found the tongue to be tight on the foot. It was not uncomfortable, but it did give that lock-in feel which helps with stability and agility.
Value for money – 7/10
Nike Magista Opus 2 football boots – bottom view
We very much like this version of Nike’s famous Magista range. They will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the reasonable price which you can purchase them for is worth what they can do you on the pitch. They’re never going to challenge some of the elite boots like the Adidas 16+ PureControls or the Nike Hypervenom Phantoms, but as a second-tier boot, the Magistas certainly do the job of a first-class model.
Pro advocates – 8/10
Where you to purchase these flash-looking goal-makers, you would join an array of Barca stars such as Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, who don the Opus IIs. Man City’s key man Kevin De Bruyne also has worn the boots.
Final verdict on the Nike Magista Opus II football boots
We would recommend these footy boots for strikers, particularly target players. They allow for exceptional first touch, immense striking power and the slightly heavier weight does not matter too much as running is not a pivotal part of a target player’s game.
I can only compare them to an F1 car, in the sense that at first (not that I have had experience, but based on what I have heard) the car is difficult to control as it is bursting with power and energy that is not normal to most. However, after a hours adjusting, you become a beast at the hands of the car, and you begin to excel in a way that was not previously possible.
The slightly wider and generally larger size of the boot may also suit defenders well, as the Magistas will come out on top in any 50/50 by simply out-muscling any other boot. All in all, well worth a buy these ones.
Click here to check the current low price on Amazon.co.uk