As we count down the final days until the 2019/20 season kicks off we've picked out our top 15 boot releases of the summer. Anything that dropped after the 2019 Champions League Final is fair game, and there's been a fair few to choose from. Time to stop pretending to like tennis and cricket, the good stuff is back.
The leading brands have all made their first moves ahead of the new campaign during a summer of limited editions, new-generation silos and heritage heroes. New look squads for each respective brand in something of a transfer window shake-up, and while you're impatiently waiting for your club to bag a deadline day deal feel free to take that frustration out on our top 15 list...
15 | PUMA Future 4.1 "Eclipse Pack" – We'll kick off with PUMA. They've released the Man City pack and their next generations of the Future and ONE series. While the launch colourways were tidy enough we're going for the blackout Future 4.1 from the "Eclipse Pack" as their only representation in this list.
14 | Nike PhantomVNM "New Lights" – Yeah, they're brighter than an Oxford graduate's future. No, your dad won't like them. But get ready to see the "New Lights" pack all over pitches when the Premier League season commences this weekend. They look immensely strong on pitch, and that little graphic takeover on the rear of the boot pushes them into our top 15.
13 | adidas Predator 19+ "Hardwired Pack" – The Hardwired Pack will be dished out to all adidas contracted players to kick off their seasons in. Four silos, four different colourways, and while we were close to selecting the "Shock Pink" Nemeziz 19+ we've been lured in by the Predator presence in a tasty little "Bright Cyan" wrap.
12 | Mizuno Morelia Neo II "Tokyo Nights" – Mizuno have quietly been going about their business this summer with a number of smart updates. The "Tokyo Nights" pack slipped in almost unnoticed with no on-pitch presence, but the Morelia Neo II from the collection is a typically premium performance from the Japanese brand.
11 | adidas COPA 19+ "Dark Script" – We're always seduced by a blackout, and this won't be the last darkened design on this list. But the COPA 19+ from the "Dark Script" pack has more sumptuous curves than we know what to do with and that excites us. If we could wear these, and these only around the office all summer without HR kicking down the door then we would. "Inappropriate" apparently.
10 | Diadora Brasil "Made in Italy" – Right, the top 10. Building on the 90s revival that's sweeping through streetwear right now Diadora have upped their football influence by launching the Brasil "Made in Italy" boots and no other boot has you simultaneously thinking about Roy Keane assaulting anyone that looks at him, and the majestic silkiness of Marco van Basten.
9 | Nike PhantomVSN "Under The Radar" – Another predominantly black boot that we're rating this summer is the PhantomVSN from the "Under The Radar" pack. Flashes of volt on the swoosh and soleplate are enough to push it into the mix here.
8 | Nike Mercurial Superfly VII CR7 – The first CR7 signature design on the new generation Mercurial Superfly VII dropped in the form of a limited edition release to celebrate the main man's relationship with China. Yep, the Swoosh were further raising his profile in a booming market, and it worked. They sold out pretty much instantly.
7 | Nike Mercurial Superfly VII "Laser Orange" – The new-generation Mercurial Superfly nailed the perfect amount of graphic updates. It's a visual treat, and when it's coated in trademark Nike orange it's a colourway you can't ignore. A limited edition run that also saw the sold out signs propped up pretty quickly. Consider the Vapor very much apart of this too.
6 | Mizuno Morelia Neo II "Beta" – Mizuno are reliable. Have they ever released an ugly colourway or design? We'd argue that they haven't. But what you could criticise them for is being a little predictable. Mixing things up for the summer the brand launched a lighter, stripped back version of the Morelia Neo II. Staying on the radar and staying relevant in a fast moving market.
5 | Lotto Stadio "Made in Italy" – The Lotto Stadio has surfed into the top 5 on a wave of nostalgia as the Italian brand released a beautiful OG version of the boot. Pre-season perfection these and a heritage icon that keeps the market fresh in amongst the fierce competition of next-generation innovation.
4 | Nike Tiempo Legend 8 "Dazzle Camo" – When they first appeared on pitch during pre-season they looked mental, and do you know what? Now they've been released they're still mental. A complete wrap of trippy vibes and dazzling design. From the tips of the studs to the tip of the tongue. All over these. Let's see who's brave enough to wear them. Just 888 pairs have dropped.
3 | adidas X 19+ "Inner Game" – Another boot that slipped through quietly this summer was the premium looking X 19+ from the "Inner Game" pack. That metallic gold soleplate and matching stripes made this an underrated contender. Worn by Mo Salah for a couple of games in the Africa Cup of Nations then quickly replaced by the Hardwired Pack. Too quickly for us.
2 | Nike Tiempo Legend 8 "Nouveau" – The new Tiempo Legend 8 is stunning. Arguably the most complete design since the introduction of the Legend series. The all white upper and iridescent detailing make these almost too clean to wear outdoors, let alone on a football pitch. Pristine.
1 | Nike Mercurial Superfly VII "Under The Radar" – Wrapping up the new-generation Mercurial Superfly in an all-black suit with subtle Nike branding. Yep, that's it. We tried so hard to choose something a bit edgier to take our #1 position but we kept coming back to these and we're not even sorry for trying harder. If there are two words that get our instant attention it's blackout followed by Mercurial. Pick them up here.
Shop all summer 2019 football boots at prodirectsoccer.com
