In-Depth Analysis: Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly Boots | Nike Flyweave, Dynamic Fit Collar, Heel Counter and Sole Plate
Oct 13, 2015, by Chris
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.
Annapolis Blues Let Season Members Choose 2027 Home Kit From 8 Puma Options
American side Annapolis Blues FC have launched a member vote to select their official home kit for the 2027 campaign. The club, which competes in both USL League Two and the USL W League, has continued its tradition of community-driven design decisions by unveiling eight distinct Puma concepts for their supporters to choose from.
The eight proposals showcase a wide range of looks while keeping the Maryland club's signature royal blue palette, circular blue crab crest, and adaptic chest sponsorship. The options range from modern graphic looks—including a fading chest burst, jagged side accents, and quartered two-tone blocks—to classic aesthetics featuring a navy diagonal sash with gold detailing, a bold white chevron, horizontal bands, and refined pinstripes complete with a polo collar.
Voting is exclusively open to 2027 Season Membership Holders, who received their voting ballots directly by email. In addition to deciding the official matchwear for both the men's and women's squads, members will also receive the winning home jersey alongside a commemorative scarf as part of their membership benefits.
Hartlepool United 26-27 Third Kit Released
Hartlepool United and technical partner Meyba have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Directly inspired by the club's archives, the shirt serves as a modern reimagining of Pools' memorable 1995-96 away strip, combining unmistakable mid-nineties aesthetics with contemporary sportswear performance.
The Meyba Hartlepool United 26-27 third jersey features a striking split design. Its upper half is clean white, layered with bold angular diagonal stripes in red and pale blue that flow down into a solid red lower section detailed with subtle pale blue vertical pinstripes. The top is finished with a retro black polo-style collar that incorporates red trim and a functional zip neck. Additional bespoke touches include an embroidered ship's wheel crest, "Est 1908" placed beneath the outer back collar, and the rallying cry "NEVER SAY DIE" printed inside the collar.
Completing the nostalgic ensemble, local partner Camerons Brewery returns as the primary front-of-shirt sponsor, directly echoing the brewery's Strongarm branding seen on the original 1995-96 design. Matching red shorts and red socks round off the full kit.
Canberra United 26-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Ninja A-League Women side Canberra United has officially unveiled its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season, crafted by Australian sportswear brand Konqa. The partnership between the club and the Melbourne-based manufacturer enters its second consecutive campaign after Konqa first took over United's kit production last year.
The Canberra United 26-27 home shirt arrives in the club's traditional bright green hue. It showcases a modern sublimated design featuring tonal diagonal brush strokes across the torso, paired with neat dark green and white detailing along the crew collar and cuffs. Gym chain Club Lime continues as the primary sponsor on the chest, positioned below a centrally placed Konqa logo and a raised silicone club crest topped with two championship stars.
Contrasting the vibrant home shirt, the 26-27 away jersey switches to a deep forest green base. It carries the same sharp graphic patterning sublimated throughout the fabric, finished with crisp white and bright lime trims around the neckline and sleeves. Supported by University of Canberra across the front, the new collection provides the capital club with a distinctive and cohesive visual identity for the upcoming campaign.
No More Tolledo: ASA de Arapiraca Announce Junpe Kit Deal
Brazilian side Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense (ASA) has officially announced a new technical partnership with sportswear brand Junpe Uniformes. The deal will see the São Paulo-based company take over as the club's official kit supplier starting with the 2027 season, replacing previous manufacturer Tolledo Sports.
The partnership marks another significant expansion for Junpe across Brazilian football. Founded in 2018 in Bernardino de Campos, the manufacturer has quickly built a strong presence in the domestic market, providing kits for roughly thirty clubs, including Alagoas rivals CSA as well as teams such as Brusque, São Bento, and Santo André.
ASA and Junpe are expected to present the club's new match kit and training collection ahead of the 2027 campaign, in which the Alvinegro will compete in the Campeonato Alagoano and national tournaments.
Virgil van Dijk Fronts High-Tech Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide
Nike and wellness technology brand Hyperice have officially launched their newest collaborative innovation, the Nike Air Zoom Hyperslide. Fronted by Liverpool captain and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, the high-tech slide is engineered to bring professional-grade post-match recovery into an effortless everyday silhouette. The release represents the second major chapter in the Nike x Hyperice partnership following their high-top Hyperboot debut.
The slide integrates Hyperice's heat and massage therapy directly across the bridge of the foot using a removable, magnetic Hyperslide Pod housed inside an adjustable strap. The pod provides three adjustable heat levels reaching up to 47°C (117°F) alongside three targeted vibration settings designed to ease foot tension and boost circulation in 15-minute cycles. Underfoot, Nike supplies a low-profile, full-length Air Zoom unit to ensure high-end impact cushioning, with settings easily adjusted through on-device buttons or the companion Hyperice mobile app.
Designed for travel and post-training downtime, the slides are TSA carry-on friendly and offer up to an hour of battery life via USB-C recharging. The Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide is available in both Black and Orewood Brown colorways for $249 via Nike, Hyperice, and select global stockists.
Arka Gdynia 26-27 Third Kit Released - Celebrating 100 Years of Gdynia
Polish club Arka Gdynia and technical partner Macron have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. The special jersey has been created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gdynia receiving city rights in 1926, paying homage to the city's rich maritime history and coastal identity.
The Macron Arka Gdynia 26-27 third jersey features a sandy beige base color inspired by the Baltic beaches and the city's centenary celebrations. Across the front panel is a tonal sublimated street map of Gdynia, referencing the city's famous concept of being built from sea and dreams. Contrast detailing arrives in dark brown on the sponsor prints and Macron branding, while the ribbed crew collar and sleeve cuffs are finished with brown, white, and yellow striping.
Several bespoke elements are incorporated into the design, highlighted by the exact geographical coordinates of the club's municipal stadium embroidered in gold thread on the upper back. The left sleeve displays a stylized 100 Gdynia anniversary badge, and custom neck tape carries a dedicated club motto inside the collar. The kit completes Arka's 26-27 match collection alongside the home and away jerseys released earlier this summer.
Mantova 1911 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian Serie B club Mantova 1911 and Adidas have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 26-27 season. Dubbed the "LOTO" jersey, the design is deeply rooted in local natural history, drawing direct inspiration from the lotus flowers that were introduced to the Mincio River and Lago Superiore in the 1920s and have since become a defining spectacle of the city.
The Adidas Mantova 1911 26-27 third jersey combines a dark base with brushstroke-like textured graphic patterns in shades of blue across the torso, evoking the flowing waters around Mantua. Traditional club identity is maintained through red and white trim on the crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. The Adidas three-stripe performance emblem appears in white on the right chest, placed opposite Mantova's classic crest.
The new jersey completes the club's matchwear collection for the 26-27 campaign alongside their clean white home and red away kits, delivering a distinct, nature-inspired alternative look on the pitch.
Punjab FC 26-27 Third Kit Released
Indian Super League side Punjab FC have officially revealed their new third kit for the 26-27 season, crafted by domestic kit partner Shiv-Naresh. The new release completes the club's wardrobe alongside their previously launched home and away strips.
The Shiv-Naresh Punjab FC 26-27 third jersey introduces a clean white base paired with vibrant orange accents on the round crewneck collar and sleeve cuffs. What sets the design apart is the rich orange floral artwork placed along the lower flanks and running across the sleeves, celebrating traditional Punjabi artistic heritage. A subtle all-over tonal pattern runs across the fabric, adding extra texture beneath the surface.
The shirt is finished with the black Shiv-Naresh panther logo on the right chest, the full-color Punjab FC crest on the left, and dafaNEWS branding placed in the center.
