Nike Bomba Finale 2 Review

The Bomba Finale 2 is one of very few, higher-end turf/artificial grass specific models currently on the market, at a price point that is actually quite reasonable. For $110, you get a combination performance mesh and NikeSkin upper, built on an artificial grass specific outsole. While Nike does offer all of there current top-end models with the AG stud pattern, the Bomba Finale 2 is much more affordable, and very similar in quality.

Comfort/Fit

The Bomba Finale 2 is definitely comfortable, but I would say that there is some room for improvement when it comes to the fit. From right out of the box, the boot felt a lot stiffer than I was anticipating, but after an hour or so of wear-time, they started to soften up. The upper itself is fairly thin, with NikeSkin at the toe and performance mesh from the mid-foot back, but due to the shape and construction of the upper, with the two materials being fused together at the forefoot, the Bomba Finale 2 felt a little bulkier than I expected. With that being said, the shoe is still very comfortable and I don’t really have any complaints in that regard.

Other comfort elements of the boot include a suede heel liner, which provides a very soft, comfortable feel, while also doing its part to keep your heel locked in place. Unlike so many turf specific models, the insole is fully removable and feels pretty good, but if you prefer to swap it out for something else, you do have that option. The tongue features a memory foam insert running through the middle, which does its part in preventing any kind of lace-bite. You’ll also find that the sole of the shoe is very flexible, with no plastic being used in the forefoot, giving the boot a very natural feel when running.

The fit of the boot is pretty god with all things considered. The off-centered lacing system is very similar to what has previously been used on the Nike T90 series, making for a fairly snug fit through the mid-foot, but what some might consider to be a little sloppy in the forefoot and toe box area. The fit is by no means bad, but it just doesn’t have that same form-fitting feel that I’ve come to expect from Nike. The shape of the boot does make it well suited for most foot types, including wider footed players. The performance mesh through the mid-foot maintains its shape very well with little to no stretching, while the NikeSkin at the front of the boot will do some minor stretching after several hours of wear-time.

In terms of sizing, the Bomba Finale 2 runs about half a size small. I wore a size 9.5US for review, which is a half size larger than my usual size 9US, and the fit in the length was pretty much perfect. If you wore any of the shoes from the previous Bomba series, than expect the sizing to be the same. So, if you’re looking to order a pair for yourself, I would recommend going half a size up.

Weight

The Bomba Finale 2 weighs in at a very respectable 9.4oz, which is relatively lightweight for an artificial grass specific soccer shoe. Not only is the Bomba below the weight standard, but it also features several durability enhancing attributes that don’t weigh the boot down. The Bomba is one of the lighter options available in this particular category, and is also built to last.

Traction

The traction pattern featured on the Bomba Finale 2 is an all-new design, made specifically for use on artificial grass/turf playing surfaces. The entire sole, including the studs themselves, is made from a very tough feeling rubber, allowing for maximum durability as well as really good heat dispersion. The studs are made up from a combination of Nike’s standard hollowed out AG studs, along with a bunch of small bladed studs scattered across the base of the sole, allowing for traction in all directions.

While I have explained this before, I thought I would highlight this point one more time. It is currently not uncommon to see players using FG stud patterns on artificial grass, but there are several downsides and dangers that many people are unaware of from doing so. FG stud patterns generally feature studs that are too long for AG fields, and dig into the turf too much, which makes for a very clingy feel. This clingy feel dramatically increases the risk of injury at both the ankle and knee, something that could easily be avoided by wearing a proper AG boot, like the Bomba. Also, FG boots are not designed to withstand the abrasive playing surface that is artificial grass, so premature durability issues tend to be very common. An AG boot like the Bomba features a soleplate that is better suited to handle the abrasiveness of the turf and also features several reinforcements on the upper in order to ensure maximum durability.

When it comes to performance, the Bomba provides plenty of traction, while still maintaining a very stable feel. There isn’t any stud pressure and the flexibility of the soleplate really allows you to have as much grip under your feet as possible, no matter which way that you twist or turn. Traction should always be a concern when it comes to a soccer shoe, but so should safety, and with the Bomba Finale 2, you get both.

Touch

I personally have mixed feelings regarding the feel on offer from the Boma Finale 2. When I first saw the design, it reminded me very much of the limited Nike GS series, with a touch based material in the forefoot area, and more of a woven type of material for the rest of the boot. The front part of the Bomba is where you’ll find Nike’s latest high-end synthetic, NikeSkin, which is fused at the forefoot to a very thin mesh-like material. You’ll also find several fused overlays running through the mid-foot of the boot for both durability and stability reasons.

As a whole, I liked the feel of the NikeSkin at the front of the boot. Its thin, flexible, slightly cushioned and also features a very subtle sand paper-like texturing on the instep, providing some additional grip on the ball. The problem that I had with the NikeSkin upper, is simply that there just isn’t enough of it. While the performance mesh doesn’t feel bad, at the end of the day, its just mesh, and just doesn’t match the quality feel of the NikeSkin portion of the boot. This is most noticeable on the instep of the boot, mainly because most of the passes that you make and receive will make contact with that part of the foot. Once I got used to the feel of the Bomba Finale 2, I was relatively happy with, but I just wish that they went for a design more similar to that of the Hypervenom Phantom or even the Elastico Finale 2.

All things considered, the NikeSkin experience that you’ll have with this boot is still very good. It offers a thin, yet solid feel for the ball, something that you can only get from a NikeSkin boot.

Shooting

Striking the ball feels pretty good in the Bombas. The off-centered lacing makes for an enlarged, obstruction free striking area on the foot, and the sand paper grip on the forefoot also helps to get a little extra grip on the ball. While there isn’t any plastic in the forefoot of the boot, the rigidity through the mid-foot is still enough to make for a solid feel when striking the ball. Think of the Bomba Finale 2 as a T90 Laser 4, minus the striking element.

Protection

While you will most likely end up wearing these against players wearing cleated shoes, I though it would be important to include the protection category in this review. When it comes to overall protection against getting stepped on, the Bomba Finale 2 is somewhat deceiving in that it feels more protective than it actually is. Both the NikeSkin and performance mesh areas of the upper feel nice and solid, but upon taking an actual blow to the foot, you’ll realize that there isn’t quite as much padding as you once thought. With that being said, the Bomba is still a relatively protective boot, and should be suitable for most players.

Durability

As I mentioned earlier, artificial grass can be really hard on your shoes, but luckily the Bombas where designed with durability in mind. The thick rubber outsole, and reinforced synthetic materials used for the upper make for a very well built shoe that is designed to withstand anything that you throw at it. At no point did I experience any issues with the durability of the boot, and for the most part, there are very few signs of wear at all. If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that’s going to last, look no further than the Bomba Finale 2.

The Verdict

To be completely honest with you, I was personally expecting more from the Bomba Finale 2, but the overall experience was still very good. NikeSkin has been a big hit so far for Nike, and it works very well on this particular model, I just wish that there was more of it. You get a solid feel, great traction and tremendous durability from a boot that retails right around the $100 mark. Whether you’re playing on artificial grass exclusively, or simply need a pair of turf shoes to keep in your bag alongside your firm ground shoes, the Bomba Finale 2 is definitely something to consider.

Comfort/Fit	8 out of 10
Weight	8 out of 10
Traction	9 out of 10
Touch	7 out of 10
Shooting	8 out of 10
Protection	8 out of 10
Durability	9 out of 10
FINAL SCORE	57 out of 70 or 81%