In-Depth Analysis: Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly Boots | Nike Flyweave, Dynamic Fit Collar, Heel Counter and Sole Plate
As things came extremely unexpected and fast last evening, we today take a closer look at all elements of the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Cleats including the Flyweave upper, the redesigned Dynamic Fit collar, the all-new external heel counter and the outsole.
Yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to lace up in a blackout version of the Nike Mercurial Superfly Cleats in Real Madrid's training session. And as there are almost a dozen images of Cristiano Ronaldo training in the upcoming Nike Mercurial Superfly, we already know more about the boots as one might expect.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boots - Flyweave upper
While we rumored that Nike could introduce the revolutionary Nike Flyweave technology to football boots in June 2015, yesterday's training session almost certainly confirmed that Nike will bring the all new upper construction to the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly Cleats. What makes us so certain about it?
In 2014, Nike introduced the first-ever basketball shoe featuring the revolutionary Nike Flyweave upper structure. The Nike Air Jordan XX9 shoe was the first product to feature the performance-woven upper, even though Nike didn't mention that the upper is in fact the all-new Flyweave technology back then. In June 2015, Nike finally introduced the Flyweave technology and announced that the performance-woven upper structure 'takes shape'.
The upper structure of the Nike Air Jordan XX9 has many things in common with the blackout Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boots. Like the blackout prototype cleats worn by the Portuguese superstar, the basketball shoe comes with the remarkable lines upper structure, which is a clear indication that both products are using the same material for the upper - Nike Flyweave. But what are the innovations of Nike Flyweave?
Whereas Nike Flyknit, which is used for the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2014 Boots, is based on the traditional process of knitting, Flyweave originates from weaving. It allows Nike to use advanced materials for a stronger and more intricate fabric than knitting. Additionally, like it was the case with Flyknit, Nike can also integrate Flywire strings for even more stability and lockdown. What are the direct advantages for the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Cleats?
Designed to act like a bionic second skin, Nike Flyweave will further improve the lockdown and stability of the Nike Mercurial Superfly Boots for better acceleration and more speed. Additionally, as the Nike Flyweave material is much stronger than the Nike Flyknit, it's expected that the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boots will be more durable than the previous generation of the the speed boot.
Nike Flyweave makes it possible for Nike to customize "individual Flyweave uppers by the megapixel". For example, computer-aided engineering allows designers to directly weave the Swoosh inside the upper structure, while the famous branding had to be glued on the Nike Flyknit boots previously. So it's also possible for Nike to completely change the upper design for the same generation (from one "colorway" to the next release).
Let's talk about the next remarkable element of the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly Boots, the Dynamic Fit collar.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boots - Dynamic Fit collar
While the upper of the fifth generation Nike Mercurial Superfly Cleats introduces a totally new technology, the Dynamic Fit collar is rather similar to the current generation. Made from Nike Flyknit, the Dynamic Fit collar is designed for a sock-like feel with no distractions.
But what's most eye-catching is that the collar is much lower than the collar of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2014 World Cup Boots. And even though Cristiano Ronaldo uses a similar collar concept for his modified Nike Mercurial Boots, it's very likely that the prototype boot worn by the Real Madrid striker are very similar to the regular version of the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly. Therefore, we can expect that the next-generation Nike Mercurial Superfly Football Boots will feature a low-cut collar.
But the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boot not only introduce a new upper and Dynamic Fit collar, but also come with a totally new heel counter and sole plate design. It would be a mistake not to separate the all-new external counter and the outsole as both parts were newly developed for the the next-gen Nike Mercurial Boots.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boots - External Heel Counter
The Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boot is the first Mercurial to feature an external heel counter since the release of the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Boot in 2008. Made for more stability and lockdown, the heel counter of the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly Boots is anything but ordinary.
However, being only visible on some of the pictures and only used for the medial side of the boot, the external heel counter of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Cleat is the most mysterious element of the cleats. It's very likely that Cristiano Ronaldo laced up in two different prototype boots with one cleat featuring the external heel counter and the the another prototype lacking the element. Therefore, let's continue with the outsole of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Cleats for now.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boots - Sole Plate / Outsole
While it's not possible yet to recognize the material used for the sole plate of the blackout Nike Mercurial Superfly 2016 Boot, it's already possible to analyze the brand new sole plate of the cleats.
Similar to the next-generation Nike Tiempo Legend 6 2016 Boots, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 5 boasts a unique graphic design on the outsole to make a bold statement on the pitch. But what's even more interesting is the all-new stud alignment and the shape of the cleats.
The alignment of the studs is rather similar to the previous generation. However, Nike removes the third stud from the medial front area of the boots while adding one all-new stud in the medial area of the sole plate. The cleats in the rear area of the boots are rotated to the outside of the boot, while those studs were previously rotated contrary.
Almost all cleats feature a triangular shape, while the previous generation of the Nike Mercurial Superfly comes with triangular and long narrow studs. It's Nike's aim to offer players even more traction for faster acceleration on Firm Ground surfaces.
Are there any questions left? Let us know in the comments section below.
