The Tiempo Legend is Nike’s longest-serving boot, having been around longer even than the popular Mercurials in terms of lifespan. Now on its 10th generation, it has gone a long way in terms of tech, fit, and weight, find out what I think of them in my in-depth Nike Tiempo Legend review.
What You’ll Find On This Page:
- Expert Legend 10 Elite Review
- Nike Tiempo Legend Pro
- Academy Tiempo Legend 10 Nike Review
- Tiempo Legend Club
- Previous Tiempo Generations
In early 2023, for sustainability reasons, Nike announced that it will discontinue the use of K-leather, prompting everyone to think about how it will affect the brand’s longest heritage silo. Safe to say that with the Legend 10, Nike has pushed the Tiempo out of its comfort zone and into new yet uncharted territories. The challenge now is: Can the Tiempo still retain its distinctness as a Nike silo despite not being a full leather boot anymore?
Tiempo 10 Elite Review
2024 Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Tiers
| Model | Quality | Pitches | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tiempo Legend Elite |  FlyTouch Plus upper Hyperstability Outsole |  |  >> Get Elite Tiempo Legend 10 at Nike |
The Big Change in the Tiempo Legend 10
So with K-leather out of the equation, what does that make of the Nike Tiempo Legend now, specifically the Tiempo Legend 10. Well, that means the boot is now synthetic! But it’s not like the synthetic found in modern speed boots. It is that type of synthetic that mimics the features and benefits of actual leather. If this sounds familiar to you, you might be remembering the Kangalite upper that was introduced by the CTR Maestri 360, or, most recently, the Puma proprietary K-BETTER that now comprised the brand’s iconic King silo (also making the switch to synthetic after making a name for itself as a leather boot).
In the Nike boot’s case, that synthetic leather is called Flytouch Plus. For obvious reasons, Nike markets Flytouch as being soft and being on-par, if not better, than K-leather in terms of objective performance. But does it really reach the heights of a premium K-leather?
Things You’ll Want to Know:
- Now with a synthetic leather Flytouch Plus upper
- Directly competes with the synthetic leather K-BETTER upper of the Puma King Ultimate
- For pure leather options, consider the likes of adidas Copa Pure and the Morelias from Mizuno
- Costs over £210
- Legend 10 first Tiempo to be synthetic leather but not the first Nike boot per se to do so (simply follows the precedent set by the Kangalite of the CTR Maestri)
- Takedowns also take the switch to synthetics
✔️ Pros
- I think that the cutout on the heel plus Flyknit helps get a comfortable wrap on that part of the foot in addition to possibly preventing blisters
- Flytouch plus a nice synthetic material-a bit padded and out-of-the-box softness is top-notch
- Central lacing for me makes it easy to adjust and achieve the level of lockdown desired
- It is now speed boot-light
- Comes now with a bit more ball grip-based on my comparison of the boot to previous Tiempos
- Best synthetic leather material to come out from the Swoosh brand when I compare it to the Kangalite
- Well-balanced stud configuration can work on synthetic pitches without too much cling and stud pressure feedback
- I feel that the soleplate flexibility profile jives well with the upper pliability
❌ Cons
- Might have dead spaces for narrow feet like me
- Still does not have that plush sensation and adaptive fit of any of my pure leather boots
- Automatically disqualifies itself from leather purists
- At less than half the price with almost the same features, the Pro takedown offers significant value-for-money; I for one might go for the Pro just to save some money
- I can sense that ball grip level seems to change from one colourway to another
- Not the most protective of football boots as I feel that the upper is speed boot-thin
The introduction of the Tiempo Legend 10 will give athletes all over the world access to the Tiempo they know and love, but with better fit, comfort and touch on the ball, thanks to the new FlyTouch Plus material innovation.
-Collin Eder, Sr. Director, Nike Football Footwear
How I Tested and Reviewed the Tiempo Legend 10
If you haven’t known yet, one of our approaches to boot testing to really drill on the main selling point of the boot. And for the Tiempo Legend 10, that would be pounding on the Flytouch Plus upper and see how it stack up against natural leather. So much of the testing period had been dedicated to feeling out the boot’s mouldability and how it caresses your feet during lots and lots of movements-side to side, jumping drills, sprints, etc. I also thought it would be best to compare how it feels to receive the ball with the Legend 10 versus a natural leather boot (e.g. Legend 9).
Nike Tiempo Legend Pro
| Model | Quality | Pitches | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tiempo Legend Pro |  FlyTouch Pro upper |  |  >> Get Tiempo Legend 10 Pro at Nike |
Pro – next takedown Tiempo at almost half the price of the Elite; arguably is a bit more padded on the liner. You can enjoy that synthetic leather make in small-sided games as the Pro is available in Indoor and Turf versions. The Indoor has the React cushioning technology that the brand also boasts in their other indoor boots.
Academy Tiempo Legend 10 Nike Review
Academy – Still dominates the world of takedown boots in terms of the closeness of the fit and feel to the Elite parent model. You’ll also be able to get this boot with an SG soleplate, which Nike has now outfitted with their Anti-clog technology, thereby increasing its value-for-money even more if you need a pair for those wet, muddy pitches.
| TIEMPO ACADEMY | DESCRIPTION | SOLEPLATE | LINKOUT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Multisurface soleplate covered by warranty for natural soil and synthetic pitch use; Flytouch as pliable as the Elite; Silver with volt accent the official look for the regional club games in Europe at the start of the 2024/25 season |  MG – Mix Grass & Artificial |  >> Get Academy Tiempo Legend 10 MG at Nike | |
 | Gives you an excellent option for a budget softground boot; Has an upper that is almost the same as the Elite execution partnered with Nike’s proprietary Anti-Clog soleplate technology that prevents mud build-up | 
SG – Soft and Muddy |  >> Get Academy Tiempo Legend 10 SG at Nike | |
 | Ragged outsole with very short, multiple rubber nobs that dig in to the shallow, sandpaper-like turf pitches | 
TF – Turf (more but shorter studs) |  >> Get Academy Tiempo Legend 10 TF at Nike | |
 | Cheap indoor Tiempos; control fast-paced ball motions with the padded upper | 
IN – Indoor & Concrete |  >> Get Academy Tiempo Legend 10 IN at Nike | |
 | Kid-friendly in size, not just in length but also in terms of volume | 
KIDS – Children’s Size |  >> Get Academy Tiempo Legend 10 Kids at Nike | |
Six Things About the Tiempo Legend Academy:
- Like the Elite, now a synthetic leather boot; upper is called FlyTouch Lite
- Comes with laces and stand-alone tongue
- Multigrounded soleplate by default
- Only comes in low-cut model, unlike the Mercs and the GXs
- Primary competition comes from Puma King Match
- Costs around £80
Here are my personal opinions of the Tiempo Academy edition:
- FlyTouch Lite not necessarily a cheaper execution of the FlyTouch Plus upper of the Elite despite the price difference
- This could well be the highest quality second-tier takedown model, Nike has ever made
- They look like they are leather both in photos & in hand
- I feel the build quality is exceptional for an Academy boot; overall construction is something you would expect from boots at higher price points
- I find the FlyTouch Lite is less thin than that of the Elite and Pro uppers but still leather-like in giving a little bit of padding, really good pliability without the negative effect of stretching; not for everyone, especially to those who likes the natural stretch and adaptive mould of premium leather
- They do a pretty good job compared to low-quality leather takedown football boots in providing that soft, padded ball touch
- The dotted 3D texturing doesn’t do much; but the silicone sensation of the surface does have some grip
- The heel cutout makes for a comfortable heel fit
- I think the soft microfibre meshed heel liner has the comfort, fit and appearance of a premium boot
- I find that the insole is where much of the corners have been cut and could be better
- They have the exact stud configuration from Elite FG but labelled MG; plastic soleplate is well above-average in quality; rear blades might be too clingy for artificial grass but forefoot conicals are alright
- Feel less lightweight than the top-tier Tiempos but as light as you can expect at the price point
- They are leather-like to a point; not necessarily a leather replacement, but for the price you are hard-pressed to find anything that fits and feels better on feet and offers a nicer touch on the ball
- Find the shaping a bit narrower from previous generations especially on the toe box; will work for most people especially those who likes a snug fit; wide-feet, particularly if around the toe, might find it uncomfortable; most should go true-to-size
- I highly recommend for a budget Tiempo, especially if you are after a cheaper no leather boo
Tiempo Legend Club
| Model | Quality | Pitches | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tiempo Legend Club |  Textured Synthetic materials |  |  >> Get Tiempo Legend 10 Club at Nike |
As it comes down to the Club Tiempo, it’s really one of those Nike boots that fit generically and whose materials feel unremarkable. They’re not necessarily unpleasant to the feet, but you’ll be better off getting at least the Academy Tiempo. Perhaps you may consider buying the Club only for the young ones, as they develop fast physically speaking and would simply need a boot that would temporarily accommodate that growing feet.
Previous Tiempos
The Tiempo Legend was first released in 1984, accumulating a lot of variety and models as it continues to be one of the main offerings from Nike. Whilst the first-ever Nike Tiempo witnessed by the public was at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, it wasn’t until 2006 football boot fans saw the emergence of their Tiempo Legend I. Headlined by Ronaldinho, The Tiempo Legend was all about luxurious touch and feel. Let’s take a look at some of the previous models over the past few years.
Tiempo Legend IX
In 2021, Nike gave us the ninth generation of the Tiempo, and it was a homecoming of some sort considering the technological changes the silo had gone through over the past years. Gone were the Quadfit mesh and Flyknit layers that somehow affected the leather feel of the Tiempo Legend 8. With the Legend 9, the Tiempo was able to maximise that premium K-leather sensation by simply removing the barriers between the upper and the foot. This Tiempo generation still showed some modern technical feature when it incorporated memory foam pods in key contact areas to further dampen ball touch.
Some memorable releases for the Tiempo Legend 9 were the ‘Deep Space Purple’ colourway from the 2022 World Cup ‘Generation’ Pack and the Made in Italy Montebelluna. The special Montebelluna drop, however, contained a luxurious alegria leather instead of the usual K-leather.
Tiempo Legend VIII
The Tiempo Legend 8 was launched in June 2019 and featured a streamlined layering of K-leather, Quadfit Mesh, and Flyknit. The Legend VIII removed the foam ridges, getting its textured touch instead from the heat-pressed diamond quilt patterns on the K-leather itself. The four-way stretch Quadfit evolved the containment functions of the VII’s Fit Mesh.
The Flyknit around the midfoot no longer had the Flywire cables, opting for a more snug, supportive fit instead. The Tiempo VIII was the second boot to feature the Hyperstability soleplate. The Under the Radar Tiempo was the launched model of the 8th generation. The Tiempo 8 also had notable colourways like the limited Dazzle Camo, the Future DNA based on the launch colour scheme of the Tiempo IV, and the 2020 Tech Craft based on the ’94 Nike Tiempo Premier black which had a black and yellow-orange colourway.
Tiempo Legend VII
The Tiempo Legend 7, released in June 2017 as part of the yellow-and-black themed Lock In Let Loose Pack, provided another redesign that would also inform the build of its successor. The K-leather sat on top of foam skeletons, forming a ridged pattern texture necessary for ball control. A Fit Mesh inner liner, connected to the biteline, tightened up upon pressure and provided most of the foot containment, preventing the K-leather from overstretching.
The Tiempo VII was also the generation that applied Flyknit around the midfoot. The Flyknit on this boot was housing Flywire cables that supported midfoot lockdown. The Hyperstability plate was first introduced to the Tiempo and contained a mixture of conicals, blades, and chevrons for multidirectional traction.
Tiempo Legend VI
The release of Nike’s Liquid Chrome Pack in November 2015 included the Tiempo Legend VI. The 6th generation of the iconic silo replaced the stitchings on the leather upper with an internal vacuum-pressed cushioned cage, resulting in the Tiempo VI retaining the touch attributes but without compromising the leather. Without the perforations from stitchings, the boot had a more seamless construction and more pliable upper. The removal of the quilting also aided in reducing water uptake.
Tiempo Legend V
With the Tiempo Legend 5 in December 2013, Nike introduced Hypershield technology into the leather silo, coating the upper with the All Conditions Control (ACC) coating and reinforcing it with a hydrophobic mesh layer. With Hypershield, the Tiempo Legend V significantly reduced water absorption and consistently provided the same ball touch regardless of weather conditions. Inputs from Carlos Tevez, Gerard Pique, and Ronaldhino help create the Tiempo Legend V. The boot debuted with a Desert Sand/Atomic Orange/Black colourway.
Tiempo Legend IV
In June 2011, Nike introduced the Elite Tiempo Legend IV; it had a Kangalite midfoot reinforced by Flywire cables and removes the classic Tiempo tongue. A stitched premium K-leather comprised the forefoot with an inner carbon fibre chassis running the full length of the sole. The Tiempo Legend 4 debuted with a Black/White/Total Orange colourway, a colour scheme that the Future DNA Tiempo Legend VIII would remake in 2020.
