Nailing lockdown, but nothing else

If you have read this blog long enough then you will know how much I appreciate laceless boots. From the original Zhero Gravity, to the adidas Speedflow+, and the adidas Copa 20+, there have been a lot of laceless boots that have had a special place for me over the years. Sure, the lockdown is not always the best, but they provide an experience that not many other boots can. While the lack of laces is a hindrance in a lot of cases, it is difficult to argue how seamless the touch on the ball can feel. When I saw that TLSS had a laceless option in the TLSS Libero, I knew I had to give them a try. While TLSS have managed to make a boot with great lockdown for laceless boot, this came at the cost of other things.

Fit and Feel

From out of the box the TLSS Libero feels a bit stiffer than other boots. However, since the upper is made of Teijin synthetic, most people should not be too worried as Teijin synthetic uppers tend to break in somewhat easily. The other thing that is noticeable in hand is the slight grippiness found all over the upper. This is nothing like a Gripknit or a WetSand Tex, but there is still some nice friction when running the fingers across the upper.

The Libero also feels like it has been made with premium materials. Much like the Tactician Goat, there is a lot to like about the Libero. The knit collar feels nice, the addition of KaRVO in the midsole is always welcome, and the heel is well padded. It again shows that TLSS has got some great ideas about how to create a good boot, especially if they can keep their prices lower in the international market.

Turning to the fit of the boot on feet, it is not as narrow as some other laceless boots. But, at the same time, the overall fit is pretty good. For me, it follows the shape of my foot well. There are not really any awkward gaps, and it wraps the upper part of the foot well. It is a bit surprising because the upper is mostly synthetic, but there seems to be enough knit to comfortably wrap around the ankle.

Bonus points also for the excellent heel. There is a good amount of cushioning without being too much. The Libero has a nice balance of cushioning and still does not feel bulky at the same time. What this helps do is ensure that the heel is locked into the back of the boot. The overall shape is narrower than what is found on the Tactician Goat. While it is still wider than other laceless boots on the market, I have not felt much slipping during play.

That great heel design also helps the rest of the boot achieve pretty good lockdown overall. Again, the Libero is a laceless boot, so it will be difficult for it to have as much lockdown as a laced boot. Nonetheless, there is a good amount of lockdown. Part of this is down to the synthetic upper, which covers most of the boot. While it does make the boots more difficult to put on, they are also more difficult to get off. The foot feels pretty secure in the boot overall. The top of the knit also has a slightly tighter band of material running through it that helps keep the top of the foot feeling more locked in.

There is a big issue with breaking in the boot. While a majority of the boot breaks in fairly quickly, the area around the front of the toebox still feels stiff, even after several sessions of wearing the Libero. I can understand why TLSS did this, as it helps make the toebox more durable. A consequence of this though is that even when other parts of the boot break in, the stiff toe means that the boot as a whole does not feel broken in. It affects more than the fit, and we will cover that later.

As far as the sizing goes, I went true to size and the fit is perfect lengthwise and widthwise.

On the Ball

First, there are some nice ideas implemented in the Libero that in theory will help with the feel on the ball. The upper material provides some nice, not over the top, grip on the ball. There are also these raised bubble-like texturing on the midfoot, and the outside and inside of the forefoot that provide that little bit extra grip on the ball when the weather gets worse.

In spite of these details, that stiff front of the toe means that it is difficult to notice whether or not they do much. The toebox is so stiff that it becomes a distraction when hitting the ball to the point that there is almost no feeling on the ball with that area of the foot. The stiffness forces the rest of the forefoot to move unnaturally. This creates a really awkward feeling on the boot, and I spent so much time worrying about my touch to the point where the boots became a major distraction.

I would love to say this gets better when dribbling, but again there is just a dead feeling between the boot and the ball. It almost feels as if there is a bunch of extra material between the foot and the rest of the boot. But the upper material is pretty thin overall, so, it really is down to that super stiff toe area.

It is obnoxious to the point that even striking the ball with a lot of power does not do much to change this feeling. In theory, a thin Teijin upper should provide that pingy sensation that was found in older speed boots. However, the design decisions mean that the boot feels more suited for toekicking the ball, rather than the use of any refined skill or technique. It is extremely frustrating to be on the ball in the Libero.

Grip

Well, the soleplate is really good. Go read my TLSS Tactician GOAT review for more information.

Conclusion

While the TLSS Libero has great lockdown for a laceless boot, this is compromised by the fact that the front of the toebox is so stiff that it affects the touch on the ball. There are a lot of good ideas here, but the boot needs more refinement. As it is, the Libero is another boot that tries and fails to live up to what the tech promises. It is another boot that is less than the sum of its parts. Thankfully, there seems to be a new model on the way, and hopefully that fixes the issues with this series. As it is though, I cannot recommend this boot to anyone.

What do you think of the TLSS Libero? Make sure to share this with your friends and please follow me on Instagram!

Also, make sure to check out the podcast I do with Boot Wizard, The Football Boot Hour!

じゃあね！