2016 has been an unprecedented year for football boots. As the year comes to a close and we look ahead to what 2017 has in store, we shine a spotlight on some of the most significant, most sought after and simply stunning football boot releases. So here you are, the 2016 SoccerBible Top 20.
20: Mizuno Morelia II MD "Blue/White"
The boot that ends 2016 at the very top of the heritage ladder. Returning for the 2016/17 season in a shining suit of blue and white, the Morelia II MD never looked as pristine as it did with this release. Blue and white and class all over.
19: Nike Tiempo Legend 6 "Academy Pack"
A complete black-out of the Nike Tiempo 6 with the only splash of colour appearing on the 'Tiempo' branding on the sole-plate. The Tiempo Legend 6 arrived as Nike's most advanced Tiempo Legend to date. The "Academy Pack" colourway cemented its place as one of the releases of the year. Understated, classy and premium.
18: adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol "Viper Pack"
Adidas kicked off the new domestic season with a new collection of Purecontrol and Purechaos boots constricted by a Viper wrap that delivered a crushing design. Launched in limited numbers, the ACE 16+ Purecontrol editions were worn by Paul Pogba for a handful of games. The Viper Pack begun a double-barrelled blast of quick-fire releases at the end of 2016 for adidas.
17: Nike Hypervenom Phantom II "Camo Pack"
A heavy dose of camo took over Nike's four silo stable for the final stretch of the 2015/16 European season. The Nike Camo Pack launched as a limited-edition run available across all four styles but it was the Hypervenom II editions that were debuted by Jamie Vardy in England's friendly against The Netherlands that put them on the back pages.
16: adidas Pogba ACE 16+ Purecontrol "Black/Gold"
After finally signing with the brand in March, adidas presented Pogba with a limited edition version of the ACE 16+ Purecontrol in his trademark black and gold. Labeled 'POGBOOM' and 'POGBANCE' down each heel, they packed some serious punch. The boots would have climbed higher on our list if adidas released them to the market.
15: Nike Tiempo Premier "Triple White"
Nike rolled out a pristine white-on-white edition of the Tiempo Premier as they brought 2016 to a close in beautifully simplistic style. A late entry following their December launch, but one that's impossible to ignore. A boot that defines modern and minimalist heritage cool.
14: Nike Mercurial Vapor XI "Tech Craft IV"
Arguably the most underrated release of the year. Every now and again a boot comes through the door that you can't put down and this was most certainly one of them. Almost too beautiful to wear. We're still admiring them.
13: Nike NJR x JORDAN Hypervenom Phantom II
It wasn't just CR7 who had a big year for Nike as the Swoosh continued to butter up Neymar as their next lead icon. Arguably the collaboration of the season saw Neymar and Michael Jordan link up to launch a collection that included a NJR x Jumpan Hypervenom II.
12: PUMA evoSPEED SL "Grass"
PUMA reached into their archives for the release of the evoSPEED SL "Grass", inpsired by the landmark v1.06 boot originally launched in 2006. The evoSPEED SL revived the famous grass print and delivered it in a beautiful re-issue a whole decade later.
11: Diadora Brasil Italy OG "Blackout"
Diadora know how to push all the right buttons with the lights off. After a relaunch of the Brasil Italy OG boot in May, the Italian brand dimmed the lights, lit a candle and are seduced us all with the release of the Brasil Italy OG "Blackout".
10: adidas ACE 17+ Purecontrol "Black/White/Red"
Adidas closed out the year in the same style as they began it – without laces. The next generation ACE 17+ Purecontrol launched with Boost technology and in the most nostalgic of Predator colourways, and that's why it was a bit of a big deal. 2017 ready.
9: adidas 99g
In August adidas launched a limited edition update of the world’s lightest football boot. 99g of stylised innovation. Just 299 pairs of the boots landed, each individually numbered on the heel but only available in a size UK 8.5. Different gravy.
8: adidas X 16+ Purechaos "Space Craft"
The adidas Limited Collection was well stocked and polished by the time the Space Craft series dropped. Released, once again, in minimal numbers, the X 16+ Purechaos edition was one of our stand out releases of the year. You just had to be a 24 carat world-beater to pull them off.
7: Nike Tiempo Legend VI Pirlo
To celebrate Pirlo’s dual careers as a footballer and winemaker, Nike crafted a limited edition Tiempo 6, with an upper that features premium Alegria leather in a merlot colourway. Raise a glass.
6: Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7 Quinhentos
Although the CR7 Quinhentos was first unveiled in October 2015, it didn't get released until March 2016. The second limited edition CR7 boot of the year, it followed on from the 324K Gold drop that paid homage to Ronaldo's title of all-time leading goalscorer for Real Madrid. Just like the 324K Gold, the 'Quinhentos', which translates to 'five hundred', was inspired by one of Ronaldo's favoured Mercurial Vapor III boots.
5: Nike Mercurial x EA Sports Superfly IV
Featuring pixelated graphics, the Mercurial x EA Sports Superfly was dedicated to painting the journey from the 16-bit gameplay of 1994 to the 360 experience of FIFA 17 today. A boot that reset the game when it came to limited edition design in 2016.
4: adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol "Mercury Pack"
A boot that shined with flair all over, the "Mercury Pack" colourway of the adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol was our number one ACE of the year. With a silver finish and touches of lime, the boot took EURO 2016 by storm, worn by some of the tournaments stand out players including Paul Pogba and Mesut Özil.
3: Nike Magista Obra II "BHM"
Cultured style from heel to toe. Nike kicked off the year with another take on Black History Month. Blaise Matuidi and Nike worked closely on the release, with the Paris Saint-Germain talisman lacing up in the show stopping limited edition release.
2: Nike "What The Mercurial" Superfly IV
Nike's limited edition boot of the year. While the world of heritage football is often left in the past, Nike embraced it at full throttle pace and with breathtaking style, taking the Mercurial Superfly and washing it with twelve different boots from its past. Special.
1: adidas GLITCH16
2016 saw adidas rip up the rulebook of football boot design. The adidas GLITCH16 arrived under a cloud of mystery as adidas began to explain their two-piece interchangeable construction. An F50 T-unit on steroids, if you like. Only available by getting hold of a code and downloading the app. Some next gen sh*t right there and unquestionably the number one boot of 2016.
