Mizuno Morelia 2 Proto Ultra Light Japan Review: Lighter & Thinner?

Introducing the Morelia 2 Proto Ultra Light

• 🚀 The Mizuno Morelia 2 Proto Ultra Light Japan is a new, limited-edition football boot, celebrating the Morelia's 40th anniversary.
• 💡 It's a heavily modified and stripped-down variant designed to be the lightest Morelia ever produced.
• 💰 Despite its prototype nature, it retails at $280, the same price as a standard Made in Japan Morelia 2.

Weight & Material Innovations

• ⚖️ The Ultra Light weighs 193 grams (6.8 oz), making it 20 grams lighter than the standard Morelia 2 (213g) and 10 grams lighter than the Morelia Neo4 Beta speed boot (205g).
• 🧠 Mizuno achieved this weight reduction by thinning materials across the board without drastically altering the core feel of the standard Morelia 2.
• 🐄 Uniquely, it maintains a full kangaroo leather upper, distinguishing it from typical lightweight synthetic speed boots.

Design & Structural Changes

• ✂️ The boot features thinner leather in the heel and midfoot, with minimal extra layering or reinforcement around lace holes.
• 🎯 The Mizuno Runbird logo is now a thin, rough plastic with ridge texturing, providing extra midfoot grip and structural reinforcement.
• 🦵 A distinctive super low-cut heel design is present, which alters the pressure on the heel and Achilles tendon compared to standard boots.
• 🛠️ The sole plate is made from Septton plastic, likely for weight savings, offering a similar feel and flexibility to the standard Morelia 2.

On-Foot Feel & Fit

• ✨ The Ultra Light offers a thinner, lighter, and less structured feel than the standard Morelia 2, with exceptional out-of-the-box softness.
• ⚠️ The low-cut heel can feel more "grabby" and firmer due to reduced padding, potentially causing a different sensation than standard models.
• 📏 It shares the same shaping and width as the standard Morelia 2, accommodating most foot types, and the thin kangaroo leather is expected to stretch.
• ✅ Recommended to go true to size for the best fit, especially with thin kangaroo leather boots.

Overall Verdict

• 🏆 The Morelia Ultra Light is a fantastic, remarkably lightweight kangaroo leather boot, delivering on Mizuno's promise.
• 🔄 While an impressive technical achievement, it's not necessarily "better" than the standard Morelia 2, but offers a distinct, lighter experience.
• 💡 It's ideal for those who prefer a thinner and lighter feel than the standard Morelia 2, though some might find a slight reduction in comfort.