Nike Tiempo Flight Review

In an effort to add more diversity to the site, I picked up a pair of Nike Tiempo Flight a few weeks back for testing. The Flight offers players a 3rd option in the Tiempo range, behind the Elite and Legend releases. In a sense, they are seen as a more economical version for players who want the Tiempo look at a modest price. What I have discovered in the past few weeks is that these boots offer far than than I could have expected, and they make for a fantastic in-game boot! The pair in question comes in a refined Metallic Summit White/Metallic Gold Grain/Volt colorway and I tested a size 9US. After several games, here is how they worked out.

Breaking-In
After testing, I am adding these boots to the list of must haves when it comes to comfort, with the break-in period taking no more than one wear. Out for the box, there is a high level of flexibility right throughout the Flight. The soleplate has a comfortable break right under the big-toe ball socket. This is something that actually sets the Flight apart from the Elite version – in a positive way! I found the carbon fiber soleplate on the Tiempo Elite version to be tough to break-in, leading to the conclusion that sometimes less is actually better! A suede lining is used inside the boot and ensures your foot is kept snugly in place through wear. I wore these boots in 1 training session, right out of the box, before taking them into a game without any problems.

Performance
There is nothing spectacular about the performance of the Tiempo Flight – they are simply a steady boot that, in the words of a Sure, “won’t let you down”!! The upper is soft and gives a pretty solid level of touch on the ball. I am a fan of the stitching used on the entire Tiempo range, as it creates comfortable padding without being overly pronounced. I mentioned the soleplate above, but again it is a highlight of the boot with its simple construction and generalized stud configuration allowing players to play long games without worrying about any common problems.

Compared to the Legend
Other than the difference in price (around $55) the primary difference lies in the upper, with the Flight featuring a calfskin leather upper compared to a K-leather on the Tiempo Legend. The calfskin still feels extremely supple and it offers great touch, but you do lose out on some of the durability properties found in the Legend. In terms of visuals, it is pretty tough to tell both boots apart! The obvious difference lies in the heel, where Tiempo Flight is displayed and a heel counter is missing. Both versions are offered in the same colorways. On release, if you had given me an option between both boots, I would immediately selected the Legend. But having now tested both, there is much food for thought on simply picking up a pair of Flights and saving some extra money!

Negatives
On this colorway, the upper is naturally a little tougher to keep clean. But other than that there is not a lot of negatives to find out! For players who want technology, this boot is not for you – there is an air of simplicity about the whole package and there is nothing that explicitly separates them from other releases on the market.

The Skinny Summary
Highlight: A subtle and refined looking boot that provides consistent performance and a comfortable fit through wear, at a fantastic price point! Excellent value for money.
Category: 2nd level Heritage behind the Legend.
Weight: A very competitive 9.0oz, which is actually 0.6oz lighter than the Legends!
Would I Buy Them: Absolutely! Having tested them, these boots stand as one of the best value for money options on the market in my opinion.
Player Position: The Flight is a boot suited to most player types and positions, but ultimately I feel like defenders and center mids will benefit most from the simple boot design and soft leather upper. A fantastic option for players on a budget!