Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Academy IC – Feature Review

Whether you are looking for an indoor specific, hard court or just an off-field shoe option, the Tiempo Legend 9 Academy IC is going to be an option that drops on your radar. They prove to be one of the lightest Tiempo Legends to date, featuring a soft leather upper with raised textures backed by soft foam pods for a clean touch on the ball.

On foot they follow right in line with what you would expect from a Tiempo release: tight and snug. Given that you are going to use them on hard surfaces, where you will experience extremely quick and sharp movements, the first thing I’d recommend is going a half size up from your soccer cleat size. In other words, I normally wear a 9US but would feel most comfortable wearing these in a size 9.5US.

When it comes to performance, this Academy IC version has several key features that differentiate them from an FG version. For example, they have a reinforced scuff zone right around the toe region. This adds a little extra durability for those moments where you drag your foot along a hard court surface. And they feature a very effective rubber outsole that is designed to provide multidirectional traction on street, court and indoor surfaces. The multi-textured outsole really does provide the next level grip you need in play, allowing you to focus more on your game and move confidently at speed. I have an appreciation for a shoe that you can wear distraction free, without having to worry about grip on hard surfaces. These pass the test and are an awesome option and offer what you need in play.

Then there are the pods in key touch areas including the instep. This gives them a CTR360 type vide, where a little extra material helps cushion the ball in play. A final piece that adds value is the REACT cushioning under foot. This is the white popcorn material toward the heel. It adds some extra sponge and bounce when you step, perfect when you are playing on hard courts. Overall, a lot to like about these and I’m definitely adding them as a top recommended IC option.

Visually, I’m loving the overall design that Nike has gone with. There are a wide variety of colorways available in the silo, and each combinations seems to work flawlessly. This pictured version is super clean, with a white base and black/solar yellow detailing across key areas. It was one of the originals released in the series, so they are not as readily available.

But you can find all the latest versions available at SOCCER.com.