Rooted in the Copa Mundial, the adidas Copa Pure II projects a football boot that optimises ball touch using the finest of leather, as well as integrating technologies to give it a modern fit and feel. Does it live up to such expectations, and has it address the concerns that hounded the Copa Sense that it replaces?
What You’ll Find On This Page:
- Copa Pure II Updates
- What Changed in the Copa Pure?
- FAQs about the Copa Pure
- Copa Pure adidas Boots
- Copa Pure I Review
- Previous Copa Sense Review
- Previous Copa Generations
adidas silos do have distinct identities that make them viable in their own right. The X is all about speed. The Predator is all about grip and accuracy. The present Copa concerns itself with making leather boots still relevant in today’s football.
Copa Pure II Updates
Pure is the current generation of the modern Copa. And in October 2023, adidas launched the Pure II, meaning that it is pretty much like the first Pure release with just minor tweakings. The Pure II still has that same Fusionskin upper comprised of calfskin leather forefoot and a Primeknit midfoot for the + model a flexing mesh material for the .1. And like the first Copa Pure+ and Pure.1, the Pure II has a one piece upper construction for the former and a standard tongue construction for the latter.
No More Laceless +!
Biggest change so far, and one that is noticeable right off the bat if you are familiar with the Copa Pure I is that the + model is no longer laceless. So you might want to get your hands on the laceless Copa Pure you whenever you can if plug-and-play leather boots is your thing. Otherwise, you will get added lockdown and a more snug fit with the Pure II because of the security that laces bring to the table. The overlay that helps in locking the foot down in the laceless setup has already been modified, so it’s discouraged to wear the Pure II without laces.
New Heel Finish
Moving on to the .1, the Pure II has a relatively smoother finish around the edges as it clips the extended height of that collar piece on the rear. Moreover, the internal heel liner is fuller than in the first Pure.1. While the shortened rear collar might be a relief, some might actually miss the strategic cushioning of the heel liner of the Pure I.1. The chunkier heel liner of the Pure II.1 might improve heel lockdown, but it might end up giving too much grab though for some.
Haptic Print on the Medial Side
Another update on the Pure II is that the overlay has been streamlined relative to the Pure I, where certain sections of the midfoot material can still be felt. Pure II streamlines the overlay in order to introduce a 3D Haptic print system that gives it a textured feel for ball grip. Given how small the prints are, they may be obvious with the hand touch but may not be that impactful when it comes to actually gripping the ball.
Jay Mike of Unisport Reviews the Copa Pure II
Here boot reviewer Jay Mike of Unisport gives his take about the second version of the adidas Copa Pure 2. Here are some of his points:
- Heel has more width and padding and to some might feel like an upgrade because of how you feel the foam and suede all around the heel
- Calfskin leather forefoot is ridiculously soft and screams COMFORT
- Midfoot material has added firmness compared to the Pure I’s
- Tongue on the .1 is still the same-stretchy and has an extended width to wrap the top of your foot and to stay in place
- Pure II does a bit better in lockdown because the lacing system runs a bit deeper
- Still has slight internal boot slippage which can be addressed with a runner’s loop and a pair of grip socks
- Size-wise, narrow-footed Jay says its true-to-size in; length and width spot-on, but new heel finish helps the Pure 2 accommodate more width
- Laced Pure II+ feels like the speedy alternative to the Pure II.1 because it has a tighter sensation once the laces are tied tight; Pure II+ not anymore built for laceless setup
- Ball touch still the same-somewhat padded but still thin enough to have a direct ball sensation
- New haptic print doesn’t feel too much
- Tooling works-if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
- Pressure point out of the box around the ball on the forefoot
- Flexing mesh on the Pure II doesn’t match the softness of the leather as well as that of the Pure I
- Heel liner comfortable but feels chunky
- Price difference between the + and .1 might be a too much if you’re just after getting that added snug fit
What Changed in the Copa Pure?
Since the introduction of the Copa 19 in 2018, the modern Copa has been synonymous with the Fusionskin technology that seamlessly fuses a forefoot leather to knit that comprised the rest of the upper. The outgoing Copa Sense was no exemption, and it even strategically added memory foam inserts to help the leather in dampening the ball touch.
However, the main critical point with the Copa Sense, despite having one of the finest K-leather material, was that it has too little of it! In addition, the Sensepods in the heel that was meant to eliminate negative space and improve fit and lockdown, was not for everybody as they can be too restrictive to some.
In a way, Copa Pure is a way of going back to its Copa leather identity by first and foremost, increasing the amount of leather. Second, gone are the memory foam inserts and in their place are quiltings that do not in any way undermine the leather feel on the forefoot. A triple foam backing is also a new addition to this iteration of the Fusionskin upper.
Also out of the place are the heel Sensepods in favour of a sculpted heel padding. Outsole-wise, we can see the return of the Torsionframe tooling that informed the soleplate construction of the first few Nemeziz lines.
2023 Copa Pure
As it name suggests, the Pure brings it back to the point where purists would still consider the present Copa as a leather football boot. Whatever positives the previous Copa Sense had, having a limited amount of leather significantly decreased its standing on its boot category. The Copa Pure is a positive direction for the silo, especially as it competes with techy leather boots like the Nike Tiempo Legend and Mizuno Morelia Neo Beta.
K-leather or not, it doesn’t matter for the Copa Pure as it is still meets the expected softness which bodes well for the comfort aspect. The triple foam lining not only helps make the boot feel padded and plush but also streamlines the sensation across the Fusionskin upper.
The fit is also much improved given the new dynamic of the Fusionskin and triple foam, plus the removal of the Sensepods that really took some time for some to get used to.
The switch to Torsionframe from the Senseframe is a good point as it makes the Copa Pure lighter than its immediate predecessor.
Copa Pure adidas Boots:
FAQs about the Copa Pure:
- Are Copas good for wide feet?
Width-wise the Copa go in between the Predator and the X, but does fall on the wider side of the spectrum and so should be worth trying for wide feet.
- Who wears adidas Copa?
Paulo Dybala and Pedri usually headline the laceless model, with popular goalkeepers like David de Gea, Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Donnarumma all going for the laced .1.
- Which is better Predator or Copa?
Being distinct to each other, the Predator and the Copa are better than the other in identifiable aspect. Ball grip and accuracy are points for the Predator while ball touch, comfort and fit go to the leathered Copa.
Copa Pure I Review
Copa Pure Boots 7 Things To Know
- Now has more leather than the Copa Sense it replaces
- Cow leather instead of K-leather
- Utilises first-gen Nemeziz Torsionframe outsole
- ‘Triple foam structure’ lining providing both structural integrity and additional padding
- Has laceless and laced options
- Fusionskin in laceless involves Primeknit, Flexing Mesh for the laced variant
- Directly competes with Mizuno’s Morelia Neo Beta as both partners the leather forefoot with a different material on the midfoot; indirectly with the Nike Tiempo Legend and Puma King Ultimate, which are now synthetic leather boots
Our Copa Pure Expert Review
adidas Copa Pure
A return to the Copa's leather identity, leather is fused with Fusionskin upper for a soft fit and good feel on the ball, just lacks that k-leather quality which is a shame for some.
Product SKU: HQ8885
Product Brand: adidas
4.1
✔️ Pros
Relative to the Copa Sense
- More leather now
- Calfskin leather is on par with the usual K-leather used in previous Copa models
- Should mould around your feet well because of the high quality leather
- Lighter because of the Torsionframe
- Best fitting compared to the Predator Edge and X Speedportal
❌ Cons
- Still not as much leather as the Nike Tiempo
- Pleasantly simple but might not command any attention to stand out
The Copa Pure puts back the modern Copa at its best-no nonsense leather with just the right amount of tech added to complement and not overshadow it.
Boot Rankings, Best For…
Copa Pure Review by Jay Mike of Unisport:
- It’s really, really soft-moulds amazingly well; pure love!
- Tight and close feel because of the low toe box
- Flexing Mesh on the .1 a nice material
- Traditional tongue construction the best bit, offering nice, pleasant and distraction-less fit as well as bit enough room for adjustment
- Fit on the heel is tight; might be too much for hardcore, OG comfort traditionalist
- Follows trend of having a modern, sleek and streamlined interpretation of leather boots
- Likes how the sculpted and tight feel offers a solid amount of lockdown in a pleasant way
- True-to-size
- Not the widest, can be worn by wide feet but be prepared to have an intimate relationship with the upper
- Laceless Plus like a child of Copa 20+ and X Speedflow+; skin tight feel with super comfortable forefoot, in addition to the tiptoeiness of a speed boot
- Pure+ requires patience to put on
- Calfskin not affecting ball touch-feels sharp but still with a hint of leather softness
- Haptic grip print provides some friction on certain areas but still not that noticeable
- Shooting and passing feels pretty good
- Torsionframe adoption might be lazy but still a great tooling-versatile stud pattern, flexible forefoot, rock solid midfoot
- Stud pressure toward the medial side of the forefoot; needs break-in time
- Extended heel tab feels unfinished and the liner looks cheap
- Would have preferred the more plush sensation of the Copa 19 or 20
- Easy to like but feels too safe as a football boot
Our Previous Copa Sense Review
The Copa Sense has been worn by the likes of Paulo Dybala and Joao Felix for the laceless model, and by Jude Bellingham and Manuel Neuer for the laced version. It is the leather silo from the Three Stripes and is now packed with technologies directed to amplify your sense for the ball. But should you choose it as your next pair? Read on and get a sense of what the next Copa is like…
7 Things About the Copa Sense You’ll Want to Know:
- Unique adidas Fusionskin upper seamlessly combines K-leather and adidas Primeknit knit material
- Memory-foamed Touchpods on the medial and lateral side target diffusion of high-impact ball contact, ultimately aiming for improved first touch
- Anatomically-placed Sensepods press back against the heel to eliminate any space and enhance the foot’s connected sensation to the boot
- Two medial forefoot Softstuds made of a bit softer TPU complements the function of the Touchphod
- Collar opening is also anatomically structured for a more efficient fit
- Updated visuals see the Copa with a flowing curved texturing for a more elegant look
- Also worn by De Gea, Hummels, and Insigne
What is new with the Copa Sense?
First, the Fusionskin upper now has a flowing curved texturing that is visually more appealing than that of the previous generation. However, the said upper material cuts back its leather composition and instead uses an internal liner that, while still soft, is noticeably denser.
Next up, there are Touchpods placed around the medial side and the lateral side. These are memory foams that intend to diffuse ball contact impact. The internal Sensepods on the heel press back against the heel to fill up all the negative space. The collar has a cruved opening that generally follows the anatomy around the ankles, all designed for a more efficient fit.
Lastly, the new Senseframe tooling features conicals and rounded blades to make the configuration more aggressive in traction than previous generation. Two medial studs known as Softstuds are made of softer TPU to complement the touch function of the Touchpod.
What we think of them…
Those who like the previous Copa may feel disappointed that the Sense now has noticeably less leather. This puts the Copa Sense in a similar situation as the Nike Tiempo Legend, which is also being criticised as lacking in terms of the leather feel on feet. Nonetheless, the Copa Sense does feel more form-fitting and secure lockdown-wise because of its overall shape and the heel lockdown from the Sensepods.
Speaking of Sensepods, you might need to give the new Copa some time to break-in for you to avoid getting blisters. The Sensepods constantly rub against your heel, so be sure to give it some time to get accustomed to the new sensation.
The Sensepods and the shape of the boot enable the Copa Sense to join the X Ghosted in the list of laceless boots with decent lockdown. It also joins the Predator Freak in providing the same technology with the laced model, so that those who prefer the adjustability of laces don’t significantly miss out on the premium features of the Copa Sense +. With that said, the Copa Sense is narrow to moderate width fitting. For wider feet, the Predator or the Nemeziz would be the better choice.
Expert Copa Sense Reviews:
Aside from our personal opinion, we’ve brought together the most trusted voices on Football Boots to save you time and effort in getting all information about the Copa Sense. Below you can find video reviews and the key takeaways. Everything you’d want to know is on one place!
Jay Mike of Unisport Review (narrow-footed):
- New look is insanely classy; one of the best looking boots in the market
- Forefoot is now wider while remaining snug in the midfoot
- Sense feels more anatomical compared to last year and fits naturally around the foot
- Still comfortable despite the leather being less plush
- Lockdown is better than expected
- Had to go up half-a-size for a less restricting fit
- Senseframe has enough traction for change of direction; heel counter is strong and stable; not sure if Softstuds work as intended for ball control
- Upper has a little bit of tactile sensation for grip
- Had to get used to the slightly raised toe box
- Reduced leather does not fit with the Copa heritage; hardcore leather boot fans might need to check other market options
- Sensepods feels a bit rough, plasticky, and stiff; might cause blisters
- New upper construction has creasing out of the box; would need some break-in time to remove pressure points
- Not the lightest among all top-end silos
- New shape and new Fusionskin construction make the Copa Sense more natural-fitting
- Not for super wide feet
- True-to-size
- A step forward in terms of fit but backward in terms of being a leather boot
- A good representation of a laceless, sock-like boot, but not as a Copa model
Josh of SR4U (flat-footed):
- One of the most visually interesting football boots to come for some time
- The touch is not as leather-like as previous-generation Copa due to less amount of leather; might disappoint those who like the previous-generation Copa
- Touchpods do provide a dampen sensation during ball contact, though the memory foams contribute to the mimised leather feel; not necessarily bad but could have been dealt away to improve the leather feel
- Reinforcing overlay on the elastic Primeknit tongue is improved; has pieces of breaks that allow the Primeknit to stretch width-wise but not necessarily length-wise; good for providing enough midfoot compression and not being too restrictive
- A good direction fit-wise for laceless football boots
- Anatomic collar looks cool but not necessary as it feels like a traditional low-cut collar
- Sensepods locks down the heel in place quite nicely but may introduce the risk of blisters
- Take time when breaking-in the boots
- Senseframe a nice improvement of the Exoframe; external heel counter is solid and looks cool with the wavy design; soleplate itself has good rigidity in the midfoot, and the forefoot is very flexible, even softer than that of the Predator or Nemeziz; not as responsive as the X Ghosted Carbitex Speedframe; overall feels a lot like the soleplate of the New Balance Tequila
- Stud configuration more aggressive than the previous Copa studs
- Softstuds simply does not help control the ball better
Previous Copa Generations
The Copa Mundial is still up and running, but that does not stop adidas from their Copa modernisation program, which they have started in 2017. Time to look back and get a sense how we reached this point in the Copa’s history.
Copa 17 (2017)
The most innovative part when the Copa 17.1 arrived was the compression tongue that wrapped closely around the feet, not to mention the conical-heavy Sprintframe that very much look like a future-looking tooling.
Copa 18 (End of 2017)
Just before the year ended, adidas pushed things up for the Copa, with the tongue now forming a one-piece construction with the K-leather upper.
Copa 19 (2018)
Copa 19 gave us the first laceless ‘+’ Copa, while retaining an option for a laced ‘.1’ model that had a burrito-styled tongue. But most importantly, Copa 19 introduced the Fusionskin technology that became a mainstay in succeeding Copa lines. It also had its own tooling-the Exoframe.
Copa 20 (2019)
Not much to say about the Copa 20 except that it was simply a name change, with a few releases adding some curved line texturing that was barely noticeable.
Copa Sense (2021)
The Sense significantly reengineered Fusionskin to its detriment, as the amount of leather got decreased and additional tech like memory foam inserts and heel Sensepods were introduced. Great step from a fit and tech perspective but a step back for a leather football boot.