They made them WORSE!

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With almost every brand getting away from natural leather football boots, the leather versus synthetic debate has never been more heated. While there are some amazing knit and synthetic uppers out there, there's something to be said about the unique feel of real leather. And as I've talked about so many times on this channel over the years, at lower price points, it's hard to beat the softness of leather.
Enter the "new" New Balance 442 v2 Pro NON KL, a synthetic version of the normally kangaroo leather 442, that doesn't replace the natural leather version, but instead exists as an alternative. But here's the thing, they still retail for the same $130! In today's video we take a closer look at what the synthetic 442 has to offer, as well as how it compares to the k-leather version.
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[@brukkakefriedshrimp]

When will companies start learning that the classic boots without Kangaroo Leather are JUST TRASH. All the big brands had this happen to them, and now NB is doing the same thing.

[@chanchaniceman]

They will not learn and will keep doing this given the trend it is right now,catering towards a vast majority audience who are more into thin synthetic or knitted boots and in some cases trying to get into California market along with the whole environmental stuff. I will say it just leaves many folks with very limited options to get something else. I agree It’s just annoying at this point we have to get K-leather upper boots from brands that are almost not readily available. They will only learn when the core audience left for other brands outside them and only bought boots like Nike Tiempos and Premier or adidas copa mundials,adipure and modern copa pine purely for leather uppers giving us a padded feel,great fit and comfort.

[@anonymoustv5770]

pick the normal ones up while you still can

[@collinwilliamson607]

Awesome review. I bought the KL 442 V2 based on your previous recommendation and absolute love them. Shame to see NB not keeping their same standards with this synthetic version.

[@angelobartolomeu5679]

It is not unusual to rain when I play, so these full synthetic boots are starting to interest me way more than they should. But I play turf, so I am looking more towards the first takedown uppers, which are generally far worse than the fg elite uppers. Adidas labes their top predator turf as Elite but the upper is the same of the first fg takedown, and nike goes only to the Pro, not the Elite with the Gripknit. But, the Pumas Pro Cage (future 7, ultra and King) are way closer to the ultimates FG, new balance has the Furon V7+ Pro TF now, so it seems that a change is coming

[@CognizantCheddar]

Are you worried about the wet on real leather with regard to grip, or the maintenance of the leather? Maintaining real leather that's gotten wet is easy enough. Just buy some leather balm/food/conditioner. It doesn't cost much and each bottle or jar or whatever should last a long time. It takes little work to maintain the leather on football boots, especially when it's only the forefoot that needs attention. We're talking five minutes of work or less. Anyway. I also often play with TF boots. The latest Furon Pro TF is really gd good. I have a pair. Another brand you can't go wrong with is Desporte.

[@gior5317]

They just came out with a new blackout color way, wondering if those are non KL as well? Hopefully not, was hoping to buy, I have a pair of previous color way in KL and absolutely love them!

[@sprocket89]

Wondering the same thing. Wanting to buy, but only if they are KL.

[@sanjuanspirits08gecnl86]

Living in CA, so we can't get the KL version. How would you rate the calfskin version of the 442 versus the synthetic version?

[@CORDUROY00]

How would this compare to the 442 V2 TEAM with the "premium full-grain leather" ?

[@AleABest]

For a vegan person, I guess.

[@JonathanRodriguez-nz9nw]

Worse, the Team will mold to your foot

[@CognizantCheddar]

I'm assuming the 442 Team will be completely discontinued, because any type of real leather demands a higher pricepoint than generic microfiber material, so it no longer makes any sense to have a 442 Team that's a lower pricepoint than a fully faux-leather 442 Pro.

[@NotoriousVictorious]

Jason is the best

[@lordbraithwaite4919]

No, it’s victor

[@thehunzz]

I blame California.

[@sprocket89]

Any idea if the new blackout colorway is KL?

[@juanka96jv]

Are the all black one kangaroo leather??

[@ZZZ77-]

Got the normal ones 👍👍

[@bradl1369]

They narrowed the toe box!

[@testableracer]

The orange pair really reminds me of the orange and off white Nike Tiempo Legend 5 from 2014

[@OGXBONE]

I just got the all black ones, I’m not sure if I bought KL or synthetic? Does anyone know?

[@AdventureswithCC]

The 442s seem like such a great boot, the leather ones at least. Can we get some videos on the New Balance take down models? Not just the 442 but the others as well. I would love to see what the difference is and whether it’s worth saving some money

[@bryans9803]

The 442 pro v2 is a great boot but many many issues around the durability of this boot with the KL leather separating from sole in just a few months. I would say that this may be a much more durable boot, although the touch will suffer.

[@CognizantCheddar]

Separates easily because the 442 Pro has no stitching or rivets, it's all glue. Which was acceptable at that 130 USD pricepoint when the forefoot leather quality was so good. Now that it's not real leather, or even an expensive techy synthetic leather mimic, the 442 Pro is a third tier takedown boot pretending to be a second tier boot with a second tier pricepoint. It retains the elements that made it cheaper than a 200 dollar boot (cheap all-glue construction, cheap soleplate, no tech gimmicks) while losing the element that once made it a better value than other second tier takedown boots (good quality k-leather).

[@beijon1810]

I had the first hyped model in gold. Great shoes for exactly two games. After that, the seams started to come loose and the plastic cracked. No more New Balance football boots.

[@alvinzhao8481]

i think you got unlucky. I've worn mine for a year and dozens of matches and they are probably going to survive at least 3 more years at this rate. the pair i got is very durable and well built.

[@fernandoenriquez432]

They look a bit bulky but with the bulky comes extra padding I'm not mad at synthetic

[@TheGivemethattaco]

I was hoping Nike would do something similar with the Tiempo Legend 10 Elite. Make the same boot (same silhouette, stud pattern, etc.) but have a K-Leather option and a synthetic option instead of just the synthetic option they have now.

[@chanchaniceman]

I feel it’s an option that brands should bring it back. Nike used to do it with the t90 lasers back in the day and adidas with f50 adizeros and even the classic predators specifically the Beckham colorways. What’s also even better is have a tiempo with a K-leather upper variation for people around the world along with the synthetic upper and lastly have a calf skin/cow/goat leather upper for folks in California and yes even around the world but with a much cheaper price Which gives a good amount of options for people to choose

[@CognizantCheddar]

Or make the synthetic faux-leather something genuinely techy, as with the newest Tiempo (that synthetic upper has a lot of grip on the ball). But NB chose to just use a generic microfiber material and keep the pricepoint the same. The 442 Pro has now gone from being a value buy, to overpriced.

[@brianvillanueva7139]

Josh you should really try out the Adler boots, im honestly surprised you haven't by niw considering how amazing they are and for 100+ dollars cheaper than mizunos

[@Sabundy]

he wont review anything that is not mainstream available in North America. It's also why he just wont review Asics boots despite them being very well regarded and popular in Asia, and a large portion of his audience requesting it.

[@Asp3ct.7.]

Could you make a video about the mizuno morelia neo 4 pro?Cause I couldn t find anything on your channel and they look pretty similar to the 442 s from new balance

[@4mm0]

Regarding durability, might synthetic be more suitable when playing on artificial grass? The soft leather damages easier perhaps?

[@CognizantCheddar]

It should be a little more friction resistant, yes. But you can get that with any all-synthetic, sub-100 USD boot. So why pay 130 USD for the synthetic 442? May as well just get something in the Nike Academy takedown quality level for 30-40 bucks less and get the same durability.

[@CognizantCheddar]

Shameful profit margin grab by NB to keep the MSRP exactly the same -- KL on the forefoot is the only thing making the 442 Pro worthy of its pricepoint. Without it, it's just a cheap microfiber faux-leather upper glued to a cheap soleplate. No tech of any sort, nothing to justify asking 130ish USD. The fully synthetic 442 Pro is essentially a third-tier takedown boot. It should cost 80-90 USD.

[@auto_fn8743]

Only this colorway has non KL?

[@Soccerreviewsforyou]

So far, yes.

[@bradl1369]

They are discontinuing k leather after 2024.

[@redeye8526]

review Adler

[@rousseau327]

Adler already can't keep up with production lol

[@dimiyou17]

Well KL. Cant be sold in California.... And some countries are banning the use of leather in certain products. So that's why i think a non KL makes sense. But not for me.

[@ragn9068]

Order a pair of

[@tn7328]

Why are they wasting time money and effort making crap boots that realistically no one wants to buy? Why not concentrate on your current lineup instead and make them more available in countries like the UK? I can't get AG elite versions of the Furons or Tekela's not can I get the top turf models. Nor is wide fitting avaible, even on the new balance website. Please fix!

[@Ivan_H.C.F]

So can I still by the leather version after a few months or something

[@Soccerreviewsforyou]

You should be able to yes. NB haven't publicly announced that they're discontinuing the leather version.

[@ryanreilly2055]

This enrages me. Mizuno will be the last company making leather boots

[@Sabundy]

probably. And Asics

[@laytonbraaf6944]

Hey, I'm Memphis

[@CNGUYEN_7]

😭😭😭

[@alastairnunez9127]

You can tell straight off the bat they’re not leather.

[@JonathanRodriguez-nz9nw]

Such a weird offering

[@HOFAFilthyAnimals]

For the vegan ballerssss

[@sk1pb1n89]

Wowsers

[@dky555]

Hey, buy our new boots. They're the exact same as the old ones except worse for the same price 👀 No you're ok NB

[@JoseHernandez-kv5rs]

First

[@joshpaul6417]

Vegan Steak ahhh boots

[@abmeight08]

I'm definitely getting the 442 V2 Pro Leather, but still waiting for NB to release a better colorway. I like the limited edition Gold colorway, but its so difficult to get a pair.

[@ConorF727]

For someone like myself who doesn’t buy leather for ethical reasons it’s nice to have these as an option.