Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
We have talked a lot about the Mizuno Morelia Neo in recent times, but we haven’t hit on the MIJ (or “Made in Japan”) version all too often. Well, Mizuno are back with a fresh array of vivid colorways that highlight the positives of the speed-hybrid range. The purpose of this post is to cover the new colorways, but I also wanted to hit on one of the most common questions we receive; What is the difference between the regular and MIJ Mizuno Morelia boots?
For those interested in one of these fresh colorways, they come in a Pearl/Black, a Yellow/Black and an Orange/Black. Made in Japan, the Morelia Neo MIJ is a blend of quality materials, craftsmanship and innovation. The upper features an ultra thin, yet super soft, Kangaroo Leather. Weighing in at 6.8oz, this cleat is built for speed, comfort and a clean first touch. One of the boots top features is the inner sock liner that is made from a soft suede-like microfiber.
Just to note, when it comes to a versatile boot that easily jumps between FG and AG surfaces, the Morelia Neo series sits right at the top of my list. It is all about that low profile, conical stud configuration that is perfectly balanced. You won’t encounter any stud pressure because of its layout, and they provide excellent traction in dry playing conditions.
Check out the entire Mizuno Morelia Neo collection at soccer.com.
Differentiating Between Regular vs MIJ Mizuno Morelia
There are several key differences that differentiate both, some are visual but most are unseen or under the hood. Without a doubt, the most important is the fact that the MIJ is handcrafted and offered extended time to come into its own. Rather than sitting in their last for 20 minutes (like the regular version) the MIJ are held in position for a solid 24hrs. This offers a more natural stretch of the leather and in turn will provide players with better shape and fit. In theory, Mizuno could make 72 pairs of standard Morelia Neo in the same time that one pair of MIJ are crafted. You could call that extra special treatment!
The material used on the MIJ is also afforded the highest standard, with the K-leather upper tanned and conditioned with scotchguard. This basically means it is treated with a liquid silicone, making them waterproof and a little more durable. To the touch, you can’t really tell there is a major difference between both boots. But even though their is minimal visual evidence to distinguish them, you get more reliability from the upper over a long hard season.
And the final difference comes in a very simple form. Across the tongue of the MIJ version, you get the text “Made in Japan”. Everything else visually looks pretty much the same.
If you have had any experience with Morelia MIJ boots, hit up the comments below and let us know what your thoughts are. Given that the range is priced at $279.99, player feedback for others interested in picking up a pair could be vital!
