The Defender’s Choice: Nike5 Lunar Gato
As the winter drags on, with the indoor season in full bloom, SER takes a look at some good IC boots for YOU.
I wrote in my first boot review that defenders don’t tend to be picky with their boots. For the most part, that principle applies for indoor boots, too. Despite a tendency to alternate brands in my boot selection, my experiences with indoor/court/futsal boots have generally been limited to Nike. I like the fit, I like the feel. The comfort, balance, and weight tends to be just right. Not too heavy, not too light. And when you put your foot through the ball, it really packs a mean punch. I must warn you that I have not always been a fan of futsal. The small-sided game was just not my thing. I didn’t like the feel of the hardwood floors or the concrete. Being stuck here in wintery Canada, however, one acquires a certain liking to the gym, as it offers the only refuge of solitude away from the rush of university life.
In dire need of a new pair of indoor boots after I had worn my previous Nike5 Zoom T-7 boots (in a brilliant yellow colour) for the majority of last year and the summer, I set out on my quest over the Christmas holidays. Last time I bought futsal boots, I was attracted by the colour (and probably by the Robinho ads that came along with them). This time, I knew exactly what I needed in my boot: stability and a good, firm sole. There was nothing wrong with the Zoom T-7s, but with a thin sole, my knees took a lot of the weight as I caravanned across the court. The appeal of the Lunar Gatos came in both the colour (simple, yet subtly flashy) and design. From the first wear, the boots felt comfortable. The frame wrapped around the foot similar to the CTR360.
They felt surprisingly light, and even till today these boots surprise me with their weight. Nike have done a really good job here of combining durability, stability, and performance into a small (and decently priced) pair of boots. Without getting into too many technical specifications, the leather upper allows for good control and for a nice, soft touch – something so crucial in the small-sided game – while stiffer materials down the instep area provide a solid striking surface. The four goals and four assists that I’ve racked up this season can attest to that.
Granted, this is not a defender-specific boot. It’s hard to find position appropriate boots for futsal or indoor. The key here is comfort. With comfort comes stability and durability. You want a boot that is light, wraps to your foot, and is stable enough to support the amount of movement that you are doing on a very hard surface. One of the tough-tackling midfielders on my team uses these boots and he loves them. For me, a fullback focusing on my defensive work this winter, it acts just as suitably. It’s hard to say that this is something that defenders should be rushing to the stores to buy because I don’t have the hard proof in endorsements by professional players. I do, however, believe that among the boots available on the market today, the Lunar Gatos are near the top.
If you get the chance, give them a try at the store and see for yourself, then let me know!
i think something u missed out is the fact that nike threw in the lunarlon technology from their lunar runnign shoes series into this, which makes it a really really really comfortable pair of shoes to be playing futsal in.
Maybe i’m gonna try these after my F10s wear out…
Hey Jason,
Thanks for that note. I meant to comment on that actually in the review – it must have slipped my mind while I was doing revisions.
The Lunarlon technology is actually one of the finest features of these boots. The fact that Nike have incorporated it from their successful line of running/street shoes, as you said, truly allows for increased comfort. In addition, these boots then become something that you don’t have to restrict to the gym/court. You can actually wear them out too! Perhaps not with jeans and a nice shirt, but they do look quite nice in the summer time with a nice pair of shorts.
Sunny – Yes, you should definitely give them a run out. They fit true to size and that snug wrap enables better movement on the court, which translates (in my opinion) to a better performance. People always comment that it is the player, not the boot, that makes a performance, but sometimes it is the confidence that a particular boot gives to a player that makes the difference. I certainly felt invigorated in these.
Keep the comments running guys! Thanks for the feedback.
Rob:
I’m not sure if its my personal feel, but I do find the lunarlon tech not just more comfortable, but also there’s that slight spring in your step. like that slight energy return.
and yea, i think it looks great with a pair of jeans and T-shirt. like the Safari editions were really great.
Been wearing these on the cement courts of Chile for 3 weeks now; had to have them imported because they don’t sell this model here. Love the upper of the shoe because it does hold up so well on the cement. The upper toe area especially. I also have a pair of the Gatos, and to me they seem to provide a better cushion with the Air sole. Durability is what I have been wanting in a futsal shoe and this time Nike really got it right! Finally a “cement” shoe that doesn’t explode after a few weeks. You’ll love this shoe if you are a Nike wearer; and with new colors coming this one is starting to drop in price. Now give us good cement futsal ball PU-LEASE.
I am very picky with my boots, and I’m a defender, but that’s just cause I got swagger.