Adidas Copa Mundial Review
From a technological standpoint, soccer shoes have evolved quite significantly over the past 50 years or so. If you look back 10 years from now, soccer shoes are now lighter, using all different types of synthetics and are incorporating all sorts of technologies, in hopes of creating the best performing boot possible. While I am all for innovation when it comes to soccer shoe, there is still one shoe that has stood the test of time, and that shoe is the Adidas Copa Mundial. It has been in production for the last 20 years, and for good reason, simply because it’s just that good. While the Copa may not have the appeal or the flair of the modern boots that are currently on the market, that does not mean that it isn’t as good, because many would argue that the Copa is the best soccer shoe ever. While I wouldn’t call any shoe “The Best Ever”, I would say that the Copa Mundial is timeless, and no matter where technology takes soccer shoes, it will always be around, and will always remain a viable option if you’re on the market for a quality kangaroo leather soccer shoe.
Comfort/Fit
If you’re looking for comfort, look no further. The Copa Mundial is one of very few shoes that are designed to fit anybody. There is no need to worry about how wide or how narrow your feet are, because once your break them in, they will fit your foot perfectly. The upper of the shoe I constructed 100% from quality kangaroo leather. The leather is super soft from right out of the box, and only gets softer as you put more hours into the shoe. The out-of-the-box width of the shoe is slightly wide through the mid-foot, while the toe box and forefoot area are cut much narrower, almost giving the shoe somewhat of an awkward fit from brand new. Give the Copa a couple of hours to start to stretch and mold to your feet, and you will be left with a perfectly formed leather mold of your foot. The central lacing system and leather tongue allow you to tighten the boots as much as you would like, with no discomfort whatsoever. The only discomfort that you may have with these shoes will be during the break-in process, but the amount of discomfort is minimal, and you may not experience any issues. Like I said, this is a shoe that is suitable to any foot width. Even the widest of feet will have no issues with fitting comfortably into the Copa Mundial. As far as sizing is concerned, you must get the proper size to ensure the best fit. Buying these shoes with extra space at the toe will result in a sloppy fit after break-in, so getting a tight fit from right out of the box is crucial. Where I would normally wear a size 9US in mot shoes, I needed to go down a full size to an 8US in order to ensure the proper fit in the length. If you are planning on ordering a pair of Copas, I strongly recommend going down a full size to ensure the proper fit. The simple design of the Copa Mundial makes for one of the most comfortable soccer shoes on the market.
Weight
Weight is one of those things that I feel too many people are worried about, when it comes to soccer shoes. While it is nice to have lightweight soccer shoes, not because they allow you to run faster or move quicker, but because they offer a nice feel, it is worth noting that of all the shoes used in other sports, soccer shoes are y far the lightest. For example, if we look at the weight of basketball shoes, if you can find a shoe that weighs 10oz, that is extremely light, where as 10oz for a modern soccer shoe would be considered as “heavy” in terms of comparing them to some of the lightweight models that are also available. Soccer is the only sport where shoe weight varies so drastically, but don’t look at weight as a bad thing, because it has very, very little impact on your ability to perform, or in this case, run fast. As for the Copa Mundial, it weighs in at 11.7oz, which is slightly above the average weight of most modern soccer shoes. Do these shoes feel heavy? Absolutely not. Again, weight is more of a feel rather than a disadvantage, as many make it out to be. While there may be a little extra weight, with 1oz being very little extra weight, you also have to realize that the Copa Mundial does not cut any corners in terms of build quality or the quality of materials used, being one of the only full, kangaroo leather boots on the market. They are so comfortable that you will forget that you’re even wearing shoes.
Traction
The soleplate and stud pattern used on the Copa Mundial is a classic. Featuring a 12-stud design, the Copa offers a nice blend of grip, as well as offering plenty of maneuverability once your foot is planted. The forefoot features four studs on the outside, three studs on the inside and one support stud in the middle, while the heel features your standard four studs. All of the studs are exactly the same size and length, with the heel studs being slightly larger, offering a very stable and smooth ride when running. The studs themselves are also not overly long, making the Copa an ideal choice for use on harder playing surfaces. There is nothing revolutionary here, but this is pretty much the original “industry standard” as far as stud patterns went, before the introduction of blades. The traction that the Copa Mundial will provide is great, and will not disappoint.
Touch
If you want the softest possible kangaroo leather feel, than the Copa Mundial is the shoe for you. The entire upper is crafted from some of the highest quality of kangaroo leather that you can get. The forefoot, the mid-foot, the heel and even the tongue is crafted from high quality kangaroo leather. This gives the shoe a very uniform feel, where the feel on the ball is exactly the same no matter what part of the foot that you use to touch the ball. The upper provides an amazingly soft touch on the ball, and just shows why kangaroo leather is such a great material for use on a soccer shoe. Like I said, if you want to truly experience how good a kangaroo leather shoe can be, then I would strongly recommend trying out a Copa Mundial. One thing worth talking about is the large, fold-over tongue. The fold-over tongue is something that we are seeing less and less of in modern soccer shoes. To me, the fold-over tongue is something that I am not a huge fan of, but on the Copa, it really doesn’t bother me. The leather used for the tongue is so soft that is really doesn’t interfere with your touch on the ball. The tongue is also unfolded, so it won’t stay down from brand new. It is a preference as to how you will wear the tongue, either up or down, but I personally prefer to wear them with the flap folded down, over the laces. One trick for keeping the tongue folded down is to use clothes pins to hold the tongue down when you aren’t using the shoes, and that should help keep the tongue folded down when you are using them. Overall, in term of touch, the Copa Mundial is one of the best available on the market, and is probably the main reason why it has stuck around for so many years.
Shooting
Striking the ball in the Copa Mundial is pretty straight forward. All that you get is the natural padding of the leather, the original striking element. The thick plastic soleplate also provides a solid amount of stiffness through the mid-foot, giving the shoe a very solid feel overall. There isn’t a ton to talk about here, other than how a simple design can still offer a great feel.
Protection
As far as protection is concerned, the Copa Mundial is a very safe shoe. The solid nature of the leather provides plenty of protection against impact injuries, such as getting kicked or stepped on. If you value having some extra protection out on the field and don’t want to be completely exposed, then the Copa Mundial is a good choice.
Durability
If there is one thing that the Copa Mundial still does better than nearly any shoe currently on the market, it is durability. The Copas are all made in Germany, so the build quality is of a very high standard. The kangaroo leather upper is some of the best quality on the market, and the shoe as a whole is just very sturdy. Keep in mind that the shoe does feature a natural leather upper, so some maintenance is required to keep the upper in optimal condition. Also keep in mind that the shoe was designed for use on natural grass, or firm ground. Use of this shoe on artificial surfaces, such as turf, will have a major impact on the durability of your shoes.
The Verdict
It is undeniable that the Copa is a great shoe. It is very rare that we see any type of product remain in production for such a long time with no changes, at all, in how the product is made. The Copa Mundial is one of those shoes that every serious soccer player should give a try, just to see what you’re missing out on. So many people ask me, what shoe is most comfortable? When it comes to comfort, fit and overall quality, it is hard to argue against the Copa. I would be very curious to see how many professional players would still be wearing the Copa if endorsement deals weren’t around, because I bet that it would surprise you at how many players would choose to wear this classic boot. If you want what many consider to be the best ever, than I would strongly recommend trying out a pair of Adidas Copa Mundials.
