The Nike CTR360 Trequartista II is the first takedown in the very popular CTR360 Line from Nike. I was pleasantly surprised with the overall feel and quality of the Trequartista, especially for a shoe that retails under $100. One of the main differences if compared to the higher-end Maestri II is the fit of the shoe. The Trequartista offers a fit that is definitely on the wider side, but not to the point where the shoe feels sloppy on your foot, like a lot of takedowns tend to have. Instead, the shoe fits wide, but the shape is still very similar to the Maestri II, which is a shoe that fits great. I wouldn’t even say that that the Trequartista II fits worse than the Maestri II, I would just call the Trequiartista a slightly wider version on the Maestri. The heel, mid foot and toe box all seem to be ever so slightly wider than the Maestri, but again, not wide to the point where the overall fit of the shoe suffers.
Like all of the other shoes in the CTR360 line, the Trequartista II features a lacing system located on the “Strike Zone” of the shoe. The lacing system does a very good job of securing your foot in place, and is friendly towards wider footed players. As far as break-in time is concerned, the Trequartista is pretty comfortable from right out of the box. The synthetic leather upper is pretty soft and flexible and the shape seems to be just right from right out of the box, so you should not have any issues with rubbing, given that you buy the proper size. It is also worth noting that the upper, although it is synthetic, does have just a little bit of stretch to it, so keep that in mind. As far as sizing goes, the Trequartista does run a true to size, unlike the Maestri II, which tends to run a half size small, due to a small toe box. I wore my usual size 9US for review, and the fit in the length was perfect.
Weight
The Trquartista II actually weighs around an ounce less than the higher-end Maestri II. The listed weight for the boot is 9.4oz, which is about average weight for a soccer shoe, and is certainly not heavy. Again, while these so weigh less than the Maestri II, the overall feel is not going be that of a lighter shoe, mainly because the difference in weight between 9oz and 10oz is so minuscule.
Traction
The Trequartista II features the exact same stud pattern the as the Maestri II. Using all blades to make up the stud pattern, the concept is to provide a combination of multi-directional grip as well as providing plenty of stability. The stud pattern is successful in both aspects, but it certainly isn’t one that is suitable for multiple types of surfaces. The unique circular pattern in the middle of the forefoot made up of curved bladed studs is the main reason for this issue. If you are playing on firm ground, meaning natural grass, which is the intended playing surface for this stud pattern, than you are not going to have any issues and the stud pattern really performs well. If you intend on using this particular stud pattern on turf, or artificial grass, this is a stud pattern that is plain and simply unsafe. Multidirectional grip on a surface that is already super abrasive is a recipe for disaster. Reason being is that once you plant you foot, you have little to no mobility in terms of being able to pivot your foot, which could lead to some serious knee and ankle injuries. To sum things up, if you are going to be playing on natural grass, the stud pattern is great, but stay away from any artificial surfaces.
Touch
Given that the CTR360 is marketed as a “Control” Line of soccer shoes, one would expect the touch on the Trequartista to be somewhat unique, but in a good way. What makes the Maestri II such a desirable shoe is the unique Kanga-Lite upper, which is a full synthetic upper from Nike made to mimic the feel of Natural leather, with the benefits of a synthetic too. The Trequartista II does not feature a Kanga-Lite upper, but what it does offer is still pretty nice. Listed as a “synthetic leather”, the upper is slightly thicker and slightly more padded than that of the Maestri II, and offers a feel more reminiscent of a traditional leather shoe than the actual Maestri II provides. Little elements on the shoe such as the two pads on the outside of the forefoot are less noticeable on the Trequartista II and tend to just blend in with the rest of the upper due to the extra padding in the upper itself. The “pass pad” on the instep is also more on the minimalistic side, which I actually prefer to the Maestri II. The overall touch is good, but if compared to the Maestri II, is honestly a little bit on the sloppy side. That being said, this easily the nicest synthetic upper in this price range.
Shooting
As far shooting goes, the Trequartista II is going to offer a feel reminiscent of your average leather soccer shoe. While I do realize that the upper is not actually leather, the feel is very similar, and when doing something like striking the ball, the feel is very similar. The one thing that is unique about the entire CTR360 line when striking the ball are the laces. Instead of being central or towards the outside of the boot, the laces are positioned right on the “strike zone”. If this is a concern that you have with the shoe, don’t worry. In no way do the laces interfere with you ability to strike the ball.
Protection
The Trequartista II actually provides some solid protection. The upper, while leather-like, is still slightly more rigid than a natural leather, so it will provide a little bit more protection should you get stepped on than your standard leather soccer shoe. The shoe also features an internal plastic heel counter to protect you from the back. If you are looking for something with a solid amount of protection, this is a good option for you.
Durability
As I have stated several times already, the quality of materials and overall feel of the shoe is very solid. Given that the shoe is a synthetic, it will not stretch much and requires little to no maintenance, which is great. The shoe does not feature any little gimmicks that could break and is overall solidly built. If you are looking for a well-priced shoe that is going to last at least a season, the Trequartista II is a good choice.
The Verdict
When it comes to take-downs, I almost always recommend taking a look at either an older, higher-end model or to take a look at some of the smaller brands for a shoe that is better in quality for the same, and while I still suggest doing so if you’re on a budget, the Trequartista II is still a solid boot for under $100. If you are looking to try something different, or even need a cheaper back-up pair for your Maestri II, the Trquartista II is a fantastic option, especially if you can scoop a pair on sale.
| Comfort/Fit | 8 out of 10 |
| Weight | 8 out of 10 |
| Traction | 8 out of 10 |
| Touch | 8 out of 10 |
| Shooting | 8 out of 10 |
| Protection | 8 out of 10 |
| Durability | 8 out of 10 |
| FINAL SCORE | 56 out of 70 or 80% |
