New Balance MS43FV2 442 V2 ACADEMY FG Mens' Shoes

No issues

For summary, skip to bottom.FYI, this review is for the WIDE version.When I was a high school soccer player, there were two unassailable principles of shoe selection:1. The ONLY truly fantastic boot was the Adidas Copa Mundial, understood to be made of kangaroo leather, the most supple of all materials. The only acceptable reason for not getting Copas was a restricted budget. Since they went for about $90, a lot of kids either shelled out money they really didn't have or desperately searched for the next-best alternative from another brand.These shoes were also the only reason every soccer player knew the word supple.2. You ALWAYS bought your cleats at least two sizes too small. Otherwise, they would get loose as they stretched out (remember, they're very supple) and you would drag your toe on the ground when kicking.Well, I think I owned one, maybe two, pairs of Copas. I never liked them and, frankly, I couldn't afford them.Although they are still the most iconic futbol boot ever made, they are ridiculously narrow, overpriced, and will only last for about one season of serious soccer.I tried other brands, some of which also claimed to be made of kangaroos and some that were wider.But overall, soccer shoes are just way too narrow for the average human foot, and as we've moved away from leather in favor of synthetic materials, this has become a serious problem (because synthetic materials don't stretch).Now that I'm, um, older, some things have changed in my world:A. I'm not going to pay for the best shoes available.B. My feet need room to flatten out in the transverse direction (read: I wear Altras for running).C. I don't want to lose a toenail.So my approach to selecting cleats is significantly different from when I was younger.Bottom line: I'm looking for shoes that are reasonably affordable and comfortable.Like you, I looked all over the www for a pair of wide soccer shoes. Not much out there.New Balance (who made only rarefied, cult-followed running shoes when I was young) seems to be the only company with a soccer shoe marketed specifically as being wide.Ergo, I tried this model and this is what I can say.I. These are not wide by the normal definition of wide.They are wider than most soccer shoes, though.So while these will take a little time to be comfortable, I think they will be okay for most people with wider feet. If you require really wide shoes, these might not work.They have broken in perfectly and are very comfortable for me now.II. I'm pretty sure only the front of the shoe is leather.The rest seems to be synthetic.III. I do recommend getting a half or whole size smaller than your other shoes.I wear 11 in Altras for running (I like to have plenty of room for my forefoot).For other types of shoes, I wouldn't wear anything smaller than 10.5.I tried the 10.5 in these cleats - felt a little too long.Settled on the 10 - they are not too long, but won't hurt my toes.IV. These are well-made and sturdy.I've worn them for three months, in soggy and dry conditions, for up to six hours. They worked well and are comfortable. They stretched out adequately. They are holding up perfectly.I will follow up if they wear out prematurely.

These cleats do their job!

They were pretty easy to break in, i had to wash them like you would any other leather shoe after a couple sessions and they were pretty decent after that, definitely worth the price.