Founded in Osaka in 1906, the brand builds its football boots Mizuno around a Japanese obsession: ball control. Here you can find its four families, from the leather Morelia to the Alpha designed for speed, across all soles, from FG for dry grass to SG with screw-in studs.
Japanese craftsmanship at your feet
The Morelia, released in 1985, is the brand's historic shoe: a soft leather upper, a slim fit, and a barefoot feel on the ball. The Morelia Neo, which appeared in 2011, carries on this spirit in a noticeably lighter version, made from kangaroo leather on the top-end models. The Alpha, revealed at the end of 2022, is the speed shoe from Mizuno and the first in its premium line designed without leather. The Monarcida completes the range with a wide fit, favoured by players who feel cramped in classic shapes.
If you're looking for the purest leather and touch, the Morelia page brings together the founding shoe and its variations. To gain in lightness without giving up on kangaroo leather, head to Morelia Neo. Explosive players will go for Alpha, while those with wide feet will find their fit on Monarcida. For fitting a young player, the Mizuno children's selection offers junior sizes, and all brands remain accessible from Football Shoes.
At Mizuno, the suffix indicates the level of finish. The Japan versions are made in Japan using the same processes as the professionals' pairs, and the Elite share that level of materials for competition. The Pro versions keep the essentials of the technology with a slightly simpler construction, then Select and Club open the range to weekend players and youth. The final letter indicates the sole: FG for dry grass, AG for synthetic, SG for soft ground, Mix for mixed aluminium and molded studs, AS for old synthetic and dirt.
The Mizuno models are built on fitted lasts: the Engineered Fit Last of the Morelia hugs the foot closely to recreate the barefoot sensation. On these performance fits, Mizuno advises considering a half size larger than your usual size. Measure your foot in the evening, when it has slightly swollen, and compare with the brand's size chart. The kangaroo leather stretches and conforms to the shape of the foot after a few sessions, while a synthetic upper doesn't change much: get it just right during fitting. If your forefoot is wide, Monarcida will prevent you from going up a full size.
The Mizuno models regularly feature on the Promotions page, especially during Black Friday and the festive season, when a leather Morelia becomes a great gift for a discerning player. The winter sales and spring French Days then release end-of-line colours, before the summer sales. As training resumes, keep an eye on the Clearance for an Alpha or a Monarcida from a previous generation.
Because the brand prioritises the feel on the ball: slim uppers, soft kangaroo leather on the high-end models, and lightweight soles. It also focuses on craftsmanship, with Japan versions assembled in Japan.
Yes, as long as you dry it in the air, away from a radiator, stuffed with newspaper. Wet kangaroo leather dries out if it heats too quickly; a bit of leather grease after drying will restore its suppleness.
Yes, Mizuno football models are unisex: a female player simply chooses her usual European size. The fitted uppers work well for slender feet; if yours is wide, the Monarcida will be more comfortable.
Go for an AG sole, with more and shorter studs that distribute pressure and protect the joints. On old or very hard synthetic, the AS sole of the Monarcida grips better than an FG.
Wear it first during one or two training sessions rather than in competition, laced normally. The leather will then shape to your foot; avoid tricks with hot water, which weaken the seams and the glue.