Facts
| Top: | Low |
|---|---|
| Surface: | Firm Ground |
| Collection: | Nike Premier |
| Lacing System: | Laced |
| Price: | €140 |
| Brand: | Nike |
| Colorways: | Black, Grey, Blue, Multi, Gold, White |
| Special editions: | 1 special editions |
Rankings
Expert Reviews
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91 / 100 based on 3 expert reviews
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Premier time for an underrated star
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Football boots have come a long way in the last 15 years. Gone are the standard black leather boots and in came a carnival of colours and major innovations with synthetic and knitted uppers. While we all love the variety that boot manufacturers provide, sometimes all we need is something simple that works well.
I was personally looking for such an option with a reasonable and affordable price tag. What I got was not just the Nike Premier 2.0 but a love affair with one of the most underrated boots available today.
Spoiler alert: I love the Nike Premier 2.0.
The Nike what? Never heard of them.
The Nike Premiers are part of the swoosh’s heritage line. They’re not heavily marketed nor have players endorsing them, unlike the Mercurial, Tiempo etc.
The Premiers were made exactly with the cost-conscious consumer in mind who wants a decent quality boot with no frills. They’re modeled after older Tiempo boots, are made of a kangaroo leather upper and look like it just came from 1998.
This means no Flyknit, no All Conditions Control (ACC) skin, and no mid-cut Dynamic Fit collar.
Who really needs all those to kick a ball anyway? Despite the lack of modern tech, Nike has made some upgrades to the old leather boot to make this a modern iteration of a classic.
The tongue is back in style
Let’s get the most prominent feature out of the way – the foldable tongue. While the Premier 1.0 featured a modern lace tongue, the Premier 2.0 goes full Totti with an extended foldable tongue that covers the top of your laces.
Boot makers have shed it for the last 10 years but it makes an appearance on the Nike Premier 2.0. It’s bizarre to think that this was considered a major innovation back then, with the idea that the tongue creates a smoother upper surface for a cleaner touch on the ball.
I don’t really buy into the whole “cleaner touch” thing but I noticed that my laces don’t come undone as often with the tongue covering them. It also comes with a Velcro strip on the underside of the tongue to secure it so that it doesn’t flap around like a flag on a pirate ship. At the very least, the football hipster in me approves of the throwback look.
Fall in love with the leather all over again
Leather hasn’t been very fashionable recently. Knitted uppers have taken the industry by storm and I understand why. Knit is usually lighter (even when in contact with water) and requires less maintenance than leather.
It’s also the shiny new innovation in footwear so it’s bound to get its time in the limelight. I also wasn’t impressed with the leather in Nike’s leading leather boot, the Tiempo Legend 7 which was a little stiff and took a while to break in to.
The Premier 2.0, however, is soft out of the box. The leather is pillowy and wraps comfortably around your foot. Each touch on the ball feels cushioned and I feel secure going into tackles with a tough upper protecting me. One month in with the boot and I was pleasantly surprised it got even softer. How that was possible, I have no idea.
The stitching on the boot also ensures that the leather doesn’t stretch too much over the years. But do expect lots of creases on the boot over time. That’s a sign of a boot that is truly seasoned and an upper that is as soft as butter. Expect it to feel even softer over time.
Built for comfort
On top of the buttery soft leather, the heel area is lined with a synthetic suede liner for maximum comfort through your 90 minutes. Slipping in and out of the Premier 2.0 is a breeze as the laces and foldable tongue come loose when you need it to.
All this without affecting the lockdown of the boot, which is pretty solid. This is a very welcome state of affairs as compared to many mid-cut style boots that are a pain to put on and remove.
The soleplates feature a classy matte finish and are very flexible and light. Due to my experiences with barefoot running, I do like flexible soleplates as they provide a lot of freedom and comfort in movement.
The conical studs are also very short which makes this suitable for AG surfaces despite the fact that this boot is marketed for FG. Don’t expect aggressive traction and enjoy the greater mobility it allows you with the rounded studs.
For a boot that looks like it’s from 1998, it weighs like a boot from 2018. The Nike Premier 2.0 weighs a mere 235g – pretty average among many of today’s boots.
A boot that every player needs
At its heart, the Nike Premier 2.0 has all the basics that a boot requires. An accommodating fit, a super comfortable ride through your 90 minutes and a tough upper that lasts years for you. It feels kind of silly when you think about all the tech and gizmos that manufacturers have incorporated into their boots.
Once you put on a pair of Premiers, you’d wonder what the fuss was all about with today’s innovations. What you will have on feet is a consistently performing boot at half the price of a top-grade boot in the market.
I have many boots in my collection, many of them sporting the latest tech in the industry. However, it’s a testament to the Nike Premier 2.0’s enduring quality that I always revert to them when I look to keep my game on the pitch simple, solid and reliable – exactly what I would describe one of the best boots I have ever owned.
This expert has been verified by RunRepeat. Reviews are neutral, unbiased and based on extensive testing.
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If you've never worn a leather shoe before and you wanna try one out without breaking the bank, the Nike Premier 2.0 is probably the shoe that I would recommend because it's just such a good value and the quality far exceeds the price that they're charging for this.
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With its second generation release in the series, Nike has made a few minor updates across the upper. These changes are not necessarily intended to change the performance of the boot, instead they simply add a fresh dynamic and updated look.
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- Despite the similarities with the original Premier, the second version of the Premier made some updates to its construction that not only offer aesthetic value but functionality, as well. One very recognizable update is the new flap tongue that showcases the swoosh and gives the cleat a more iconic feel. Nonetheless, the cleat maintains a natural leather upper.
- Another obvious update is the new stitching pattern that features double cross-layer stitching over the forefoot. This stitch pattern gives the leather upper more ability to stretch in multiple directions. Moreover, the stitching follows that of the old school Tiempo models.
The Nike Premier II Firm Ground boasts comfort with its kangaroo leather upper that gives the foot a snug wrap. The inner suede liner also offers a soft feel. The cleat is available in standard men's sizes. One thing to take note though is that the soccer cleat runs quite small but has a medium width.
The Premier II Firm Ground utilizes a light TPU outsole that provides comfort and flexibility. The sole allows the feet to stay close to the ground to facilitate better turns and twists. With the sole's innate flexibility, the cleat gains stability and a springy fit that allows an optimum launch.
The outsole has a molded conical firm ground studs that provide targeted traction for natural grass surfaces.
The front upper of the Premier II Firm Ground is made from very soft and flexible kangaroo leather while high-quality leather lines the rest. These two types of leather adapt to the foot perfectly, ensuring a high level of comfort. The leather upper also allows for a close, cushioned touch on the ball and a superior feel and control.
The cleat entrance also offers an anatomical fit that supports the ankle well. Moreover, the heel cap with a suede material offers added comfort.
A key update of the cleat is the small flap tongue over the top of the laces. A Velcro is added underneath the flap to help keep it locked down during games. This update is more of an aesthetic than a functional one.
- The soccer cleat weighs 8.2 oz.