New Balance Visaro 2.0 – Feature Review

New Balance is back with a standout colorway in the Visaro 2.0 series, a boot built for players who like to create. Adding an Energy Lime across what is one of the busiest uppers currently on the market makes this a release that demands player attention.

The new version of Visaro features data driven Hexaprene “control and strike” zones, an athlete inspired pro form last, and one piece form fitting moccasin construction that delivers ultra-precise long and short passing, and game changing invention. I’d also label them as somewhat of a power boot, using added elements through the upper to enhance striking.

Available from soccer.com. (or enter our giveaway below!)

Design Notes

A few things of note on the design here. Energy Lime  is obviously very vibrant, and easily stands out. In the past, we have seen similar colors to this listed as Gecko Green, so it also falls into that bracket. The New Balance logo also gets a fresh paint job, in what is a sort of darker Pink shade. It contrasts across the lighter green upper. One of my favorite design elements is the transient Grey that lines the inside of the boot, you can see it in the image above. It gives the boot a more sophisticated look, even if you don’t see it with them on.

How do they Fit?

One of the first things you learn about the Visaro 2.0 is that they really not designed to fit every foot type. If you have read our review, you will know I’m really not a big fan. But, then their are players who really enjoy the fit and more importantly, have upped their game because of what New Balance has to offer. Kei Kamara referenced those during a recent rant against an MLS fine he received for wearing Trusox. In the rant, he talked about how switching to New Balance had effectively changed his ability to perform due to the more proficient fit.

My take on the fit is this; Length wise they are true to size. Width wise the fit is odd. Again, New Balance stick to their unorthodox footbed designs, where the contouring seems unusual. Basically, the shape bends from your small toe into the big toe, where the instep is cut pretty straight from heel to the big toe. It is a very defined design that leaves you with extra space on the outer portion of your big toe, and the material pressed up against your little. Even with the extra room, I’d rate them as a medium width, simply because a wider foot would have to be misshapen to fit into the extra space.

Retail

The FG version ($199) of the boot highlights the releases, and is good for use on natural grass and artificial turf. There is also a Wide Fit version ($199). For youth players, their is currently a Junior version ($60) available.

GIVEAWAY – Win This Pair

If you are interested in winning this pair of boots (size 9US), all you need to do is

1. Join our email list below (if you haven’t already – it is the one that sometimes pops up on the screen when you enter the site)
2. Leave a comment on this post telling us why you deserve to win a pair!

That is all you need to do! We will randomly select a winner early next week, and the he/she will be announced through our brand new email list. If you are not on the list, you might want to jump on board right now. As well as being a source to stay in contact with you guys, it is also going to be my go to for giving away boots and recruiting some of you to test out extra boots that arrive in the office. Trust me, we have some super cool stuff planned for the next few months!!!

Note, the winning pair is size 9US and we can’t change them out for another size. Winner will be announced early next week via our email list! Normal SC101 rules and terms apply.