Adidas Nemeziz 19.3 Review — The World’s Most Underrated Boot?

There’s no denying that the Adidas Nemeziz line hasn’t set the world alight, and that’s a shame, because it’s arguably the best performing, all-round boot you’ll get from the three-stripes brand — and the Nemeziz 19.3 is no exception to this.

While a cheaper takedown model, the Nemeziz 19.3 shares a lot of the aesthetic and tech features of the higher-end models, and in some regards, is actually better than its more expensive versions in a lot of ways.

The 19.3 features a somewhat radical look, with its mid-cut design and admittedly strange-looking split-collar. With that said, it looks remarkably better on-foot than it does on a shelf, and its rich blue colourway (part of Adidas’ “Inner Game” colour pack), contrasted with the white stripes on the heel and gold ‘Nemeziz’ accents is a winner. The silhouette and raised collar might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but while the Nemeziz 19.3 looks like something from a futuristic concept drawing, it’s actually one of the most basic and reliable boot designs on the market, and we mean ‘basic’ in the best possible way.

While many football boots these days are trying incredibly hard to break the mould and deliver something that wows the crowd, the 19.3 opts for a standout appearance but relies on tried-and-tested tech to ensure that the performance is good on the pitch, not just on a spec sheet.

The upper is made from a soft synthetic, which is pliable and softly moulds to your foot with minimal break-in time. The upper is made of a two-piece construction though, with a knitted, elasticated inner lining making up the forefoot and eventually becoming the collar that splits across your ankle. While it’s not super snug and elasticated like on the higher-end Nemeziz models, it’s incredibly soft and comfortable on the ankle, saving you from having a hard synthetic plastic wrapping your Achilles area, which is one of the 19.3’s best features: comfort.

This is a comfortable boot from start to finish. As mentioned, the ankle and insert area feel great on-foot, you’ve then got a wider-than-normal midfoot area, and the toe-box has enough room to not cramp your digits. This is by no means a ‘wide-boot’, as it still does carry that speedy and sleek look, but it’ll fit most foot types with ease, which is hard to come by these days.

Where the Nemeziz wins big points is on its soleplate. You get what looks like a split-sole design with the forefoot and heel area looking like seperate plates, but there is a stiffened bar in the middle that connects the two together. The soleplate is snappy and responsive, but that more solid feeling in the arch of your foot provides some confidence and stability during angle-changes and cutting.

The stud pattern, while simple, works incredibly well. It’s hard to find interesting boots these days that have conical studs, and while the Nemeziz 19.3’s studs aren’t exactly round, they perform like a classic all-conical boot. There’s enough grip and bite to give you control in your movements, but their short and rounded nature allows you to rotate and pivot with ease, making the boots far safer and easier on your joints.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and reliable pair of football boots, but enjoy the little new-age tech bits and bobs too, you can’t go wrong with the Nemeziz 19.3, especially given that you can pick them up way below their normal retail price given their age.