My New Favourite Boots are Ones I Never Expected: Adidas Copa Pure 3 Elite Review

Adidas’ boot range provides a little something for everybody, but while the control-oriented Predator and speedy F50 get all the limelight, superstar endorsements, and flashy marketing, it’s the lesser-covered Copa which is actually the star of the show, in my eyes at least.

The modern Copa has gone through quite a few revamps in recent years, trying to have some resemblance and ‘feel’ of the iconic Copa Mundial boot (which I actually have mixed feeling about), while bringing some new technology and tweaks to appease modern audiences. Some iterations haven’t gone down so well, but the latest Copa Pure 3 is arguably the best version of the modern Copa to date.

A big drawcard of the Copa line is the fact that Adidas still incorperates leather into the boot, and while the amount has been reduced (with only the forefoot being leather), it makes for a better boot. This is because Adidas has used its Fusionskin synthetic upper to make the remainder of the boot, reducing weight, and making a more pliable, durable, and delivering a softer feeling on-foot. With that said, the seam between the leather forefoot and midfoot area is basically invisible and the whole boot feels like one continuous piece of ultra soft calf leather.

Making the upper an even more satisfying feeling is the knitted Primeknit sockliner (available only on the Elite and Pro models) that wraps your foot under the laces and provides a really modern-feeling fit, while the remainder of the boot has that padded-leather feel. It’s like the best of both worlds, and I’m here for it.

The comfort is further enhanced by a really snug and padded heel area, which keeps your foot locked in thanks to some pillow-like pods around those sensitive bones and grooves in your ankle. It’s a comfy fit, and one that keeps the boot in a 1:1 movement with your foot and ankle, as opposed to feeling a little loose when making those cuts and turns.

One of the hit-or-miss parts of the modern Copa line has been the soleplate. Adidas has been experimenting with a few options, even bringing back the Control Frame from the Nemeziz line from a few years back onto last year’s Copa Pure 2. But, the German brand has found a new configuration with what they call the Comfortframe — a pretty basic, predominantly conical stud layout on a flexible yet stable plate. The result is a very comfortable ride, with no stud pressure, with much thanks to the additional lateral stud and extra support stud on that pesky metatarsal bone.

It’s not going to be in the runnings for the most aggressive and bite-y boot around, but the extremely well-balanced design and versatility more than makes up for it. If you like a stable feeling experience on the pitch, without having to worry about your knees with overly aggressive bladed studs, the Copa Pure 3 might just be for you.

On top of that, the Copa Pure 3 is a pretty straightforward boot, and I mean that in the best of ways. While the Mustang-like Predator, Ferrari-esque F50, and other boots on the market are trying to do the most radical things, the Copa Pure 3 is like that reliable Audi in the garage — sturdy, luxurious, and no-nonsense, albeit with a few sporty upgrades.

The Adidas Copa Pure 3 is a fantastic boot that improves upon everything Adidas has been tinkering with on the modern Copa line. It’s comfortable, classy, and has some inspirations from other modern innovations.

The Copa Pure 3 is available from Adidas and Adidas stockists nationwide. There are takedown models available too.

Pricing:

• Adidas Copa Pure 3 Elite — R4,799
• Adidas Copa Pure 3 Pro — R2,999
• Adidas Copa Pure 3 League —R1,799
• Adidas Copa Pure 3 Club — R1,199