Nike Tiempo Legend V Premium

Nike has just announced plans to release the Nike Tiempo Legend V in premium. The limited edition soccer boot honors legendary footballer Francesco Totti, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian players of all time. The Tiempo Legend V will feature an oversized fold-down tongue, not seen on a Nike football boot since 2001. The limited edition boot will also feature a specialized insignia honoring the Roma player, which incorporates his uniform number. Inspired by Totti’s warrior mentality, the shoe’s design features a metallic aesthetic alluding to a fighter’s armor. 3,000 individually numbered shoes will be available at Nike and select retailers on March 5.

Below is a short Q&A on the new Nike Tiempo Legend V Premium with Nike’s Global Vice President of Football Footwear, Max Blau.

How key is the classic black look to the Tiempo Legend V Premium?

The classic black leather upper is certainly a nod to the boot’s heritage, while the chrome accents provide a modern touch. While different colorways of the Tiempo have appeared throughout the years, black is its traditional hue and seemed the most appropriate for this timeless version.

What is it like designing a version of such an iconic boot for such an iconic player?

Athletes are always a powerful source of inspiration at Nike. Having a muse like Totti personalizes the challenge for our design team and results in tremendous creativity. You can see a lot of details on this boot that are clearly inspired by the athlete himself, from the fold-over tongue he prefers to the graphic we developed for the sockliner.

Tell us about the design details in this boot that play to Totti as an athlete?

At Nike, we design to the exact specifications of championship athletes. In Totti’s case, that means starting with a classic black Tiempo, with a fold-over tongue – which is a detail he specifically prefers – and a soft, quilted Alegria leather. Totti tells us he prefers a boot with a soft leather upper that adapts well to the foot’s shape and ensures great touch on the ball – which makes the Tiempo Legend V Premium perfect for him.

What does the Tiempo silo mean to Nike?

The Tiempo’s meaning to Nike is rooted in what it means to the athletes we serve. For decades, players have sworn by the Tiempo and been attracted to its classic and high-performing upper. Tiempo is not just a great boot, its evolved into a culture of players who pride themselves on great touch and mastery of the pitch.

The foldover tongue is a vintage Tiempo detail – how does it feel to bring it back to the boot for Totti?

For Totti, the fold-over tongue never left as he has continued to specially request that over the years and we have specially made pairs for him with that tongue. It is great to see the Tiempo tongue back in this way for the public with a brilliant chrome finish in this limited-edition offering.

What performance benefits does premium leather deliver?

Quilted Alegria leather like we have in the Tiempo Legend V Premium provides a unique fit and touch that players love. It is soft, yet holds its shape. Players tend to really enjoy these boots and treat them with care.