Nike MagistaX Proximo soccer shoes

The winter months have us dropped right in the middle of those horrendous afternoons where the sun disappears before work or school is over and weekends where temperatures can scare away even the most dedicated. However, for those of us wanting to still find a ball at our feet and the ability to improve our game, there’s always the option to take your game indoors. The indoor options have risen to a level that few thought possible only a few seasons ago, and you can now rival your Firm Ground prized possession with the choice for your indoor game.

Nike has unleashed their top tier creations onto the short-sided game, meaning that boots like the Mercurial SuperFly, HyperVenom Phantom, and even Tiempo Legend can follow you as you step off the pitch and onto the court. Surprisingly, Nike usually does a good job of seeing these boots translate to other surfaces. If you stumbled onto the Boot-ies (our end of year boot awards), you would know that the Magista Obra was one of our favorite Nike boots of the year. It makes perfect sense to take this boot’s indoor brother out for a spin.

Has Nike been able to take something that’s such an amazing performer in its FG build and allow it to dominate the short-sided space? We take a look under the hood of the Nike MagistaX Proximo II and find out.

The Look

Nike MagistaX Proximo in Volt

The versions of Nike’s top end boots that end up being available for short-sided play look identical to their FG counterparts. However, we have been privy to a few special colorways for the versions that have indoor capabilities. The most notable has to be the all-volt Magista Obra that is meant to sear your retinas and, yet, still holds a fun place in my heart. Outside of the all-volt and the version given the colorway treatment identical to the launch Obra II, the boot has been launched in very conservative colorways.

The Obra II has a very divisive look with its vast array of FlyKnit bumps across the upper, and is something that might scare some potential suitors away. The sole of the short-sided version employs Nike’s famed Lunarlon material and gives it a more complete look. The one big negative that I’d attach to almost all of Nike’s indoor (non-lifestyle) offerings is that most of them don’t look like something you’d want to wear constantly. That might be personal opinion, but we’ll leave it up to you…

The Touch

Nike MagistaX Proximo II

The Magista Obra II took the original FlyKnit collar creation and tried to ratchet things up a notch. Where the original quickly found itself to be a playmaker’s dream, the hope for the newest version is that it can find a much wider fanbase. Dominating the pitch from between the sticks up the strikers…Nike wants the Swoosh and Obra to be everywhere.

The biggest transformation that you’ll see with the MagistaX Proximo II is how the FlyKnit bumps feel in your hands and how they feel on your foot/with the ball. You really don’t notice the bumps when you’re simply wearing the shoe, but addressing the ball is where you become aware of the bumps. When coming into contact with the ball, the bumps provide added friction, absorb the momentum from the ball, and give an extremely soft feel. Our main statement here: don’t be like we were and think the bumps are going to ruin your touch…it’s quite the opposite.

Whether driving the ball with purpose or trying to play a deft pass, the FlyKnit responds accordingly. The bumps don’t make your contact feel disconnected, yet driving the ball gives you the type of response from a padded leather. The bumps are at their greatest height (which is still only a few centimeters) on both sides of the boot. Near the toebox, the bumps slim down to create almost a FlyKnit version of the honeycomb patter we see on the HyperVenom silo. Don’t expect them to share more than a look, however, as the all-FlyKnit boot definitely offers more padding. This is very helpful when bringing a ball out of the air, or giving a slight bit of added protection if someone decides they would rather see what your new boots look like under their foot.

If you find yourself on turf surfaces, it’s important to hunt down Nike’s TF configuration to avoid slipping. The MagistaX does also come with a non-marking outsole for gym floors, and it also makes sure that you can focus on the game at hand. If I may throw something quite odd into this mix, it would be to tell you that, if you play on both turf and hard surfaces, the TF version is the better all-round choice. The tiny nubs on the bottom of the outsole of the TF version perform surprisingly well on gym floors and, if those floors are rather old or dusty, can see you having firm footing while everyone else is slipping around. With the faster pace of indoor, that half-second of your opponent slipping is all you need to change the game.

The Feel

The look of this Obra has many forgetting that the vast majority of material used here on this boot is FlyKnit. Nike’s knit offers a quick route to comfort and allows for an easy break-in. It also means that the boot can alter itself to fit most foot types and provide that comfort almost across the board. The collar has been altered for a much softer and gentler ride, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see what Nike has done with the Obra change future collars that they have. It’s an interesting feel the first time you slip on a dynamic fit collar, and the feel isn’t for everyone. If you hate ankle guards or anything squeezing around your ankle, I’d avoid Nike’s dynamic fit collar.

The Lunalon outsole makes sure that the shoe is responsive, but has the proper amount of cushioning to avoid unwanted pressure on unforgiving concrete or hardwood floors. The thickness does find the shoe being a bit stiff out of the box, but, like running shoes, quickly fades after a bit of use. Expect a smooth ride within the MagistaX Proximo, and this shoe will not disappoint. Our only negative is that none of the non-lifestyle version of Nike boots feel great if you’re going to wear them for hours on end. If you’re looking for something to wear constantly, a lifestyle version would be a better option.

Bang for your Buck

The MagistaX Proximo II indoor and turf shoes are available for around $150 ($175 retail) and is well worth the money. The indoor versions from Nike are built to last with increased durability added around high abrasion areas, and it never hurts when an upper won’t have to deal with trailing and stomping studs. It’s all a matter of how much emphasis and time you place in the indoor game, but any player that finds themselves inside on many occasions should snag these immediately.

Final Verdict

Nike MagistaX Proximo II heel

We loved the Magista Obra II in its FG form, and the boot hasn’t disappointed for the indoor game. The great touch that the FlyKnit gives blends with a quick level of comfort that has quickly made this one of our favorite indoor options. While we’d love to see what the MagistaX Proximo would have on offer without the collar, we’ll be singing the praises for this boot from the rooftops. You deserve this amazing ride…take your indoor game to 11…

Sizing: This boot fits true to size

4.5 / 5 stars     
 

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