Revealed: The Most Innovative Nike Mercurial Boots in History
Sep 17, 2017, by Chris
Since its debut in 1998, the Nike Mercurial has redefined how football boots feel and perform several times. We take a look at the most innovative Nike Mercurial generations in history, ranging from the first-ever Nike Mercurial to the brand-new Nike Mercurial Vapor Flyknit Ultra.
1998: Nike Mercurial
Initially known as Tiempo Ultra Light, and the Ronaldo Ultra Speed, the Nike Mercurial was developed to suit Ronaldo’s extraordinary explosive style. Nike's first concepts of the boots started out as a lightweight addition to the Tiempo series, while the prototypes accelerated past anything made before and forged its own path as a "speed" boot: the Mercurial.
The Nike Mercurial feature a thinner plate than any other boot before, a KNG-100 synthetic upper (which behaved like leather but didn't absorb water like natural fabrics) to reduce weight for ultimate speed. The Nike Mercurial was worn by Ronaldo on football's biggest stage, the 1998 World Cup in France.
2002: Nike Mercurial Vapor
Another groundbreaking innovation was the first-ever Nike Mercurial Vapor, released in 2002. Nike weighed everything from glue to stitching thread in order to remove excess weight. However, as sustaining speed for a full match also required comfort, Nike also developed a new anatomical last. The innovative fit reduced weight, added comfort, and, in a testament to the Mercurial’s DNA, increased speed.
2006: Nike Mercurial Vapor III
The Nike Mercurial Vapor III signalled significant changes to football boots as the brand introduce the Teijin microfiber, which should be used for all Mercurial boots of the next few years.
2008: Nike Mercurial Vapor SL
A decade after Mercurial changed football boots forever, the Mercurial SL went back to its track sprint origins. At just 185 grams, the Mercurial SL was constructed entirely out of carbon fiber. The upper was crafted in Italy, the plate engineered in Germany, and the outsole built in South Korea. The concept boot pushed the boundaries of football and set the stage for new era of innovation on the pitch.
2008: Nike Mercurial Vapor IV
The Mercurial Vapor IV took the baton from the Mercurial SL, bringing aerodynamic sprint spike looks to the football pitch. The Teijin upper now covered the laces, offering an uninterrupted shooting surface, and allowed for a bold lateral Swoosh. A fast new aesthetic mirrored the properties of a hidden innovation: a ground-breaking internal chassis. Constructed of a glass fiber, the insert offered instant acceleration—just like the propulsive snap of a track spike.
2009: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
The first-ever Nike Mercurial Superfly model was the lightest Nike football boot at that time featuring a carbon-fiber sole plate and Nike's all-new Flywire strings.
2012: Nike Green Speed
Released in 2012, the Nike GS football boot was the lightest, most environmentally friendly and fastest production boot Nike has ever made. It is now wonder that the Nike Green Speed boots are one of the most sought after soccer cleats today.
2014: Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
The Nike Mercurial Superfly 4 football boot was the first-ever knitted football boot with a carbon sole plate. Born from years of R&D in the Nike Explore Team Sport Research Lab, the Nike Mercurial Superfly IV was likely Nike's biggest innovation in football ever.
2017: Nike Flyknit Ultra
The first-ever knitted low-cut Nike Mercurial boot, the Nike Flyknit Ultra cleats are a preview of what's to come for the 2018 World Cup. The Nike Flyknit Ultra football boots can be likened to the all-Flyknit Mercurial Vapor 12 that will be launched in 2018.
Mercurial Innovation.
— Pro:Direct Soccer (@ProD_Soccer) September 7, 2017
The Vapor Flyknit Ultra joins the family. Available now: https://t.co/nqso8So4KH… pic.twitter.com/5LkqjmAaFn
Which is your all-time favorite Nike Mercurial generation? Is the Nike Mercurial the most innovative football boot silo? Let us know in the comments below.
PSG 26-27 Third Kit Concept Based On Leaked Image
Based on the previous leaked pictures, our partner @whatthekit_x have provided a concept of how the PSG 26-27 third kit would look like on their stars Doué and Dembélé. The shorts and socks are expected to carry the same motif and colorway as of the shirt's, creating a uniform ovarall look for the European champions.
What do you think of the PSG's 26-27 third kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Queen of the South 26-27 Third Kit Released - Designed by Local School Pupil
Scottish League One club Queen of the South has officially launched its new 26-27 third kit, manufactured by Macron. What makes the release particularly unique is that it was designed by Rex, a pupil from Dalbeattie Primary School, who won a club competition that saw an impressive 1,883 entries submitted from 27 local primary schools.
The Macron Queen of the South 2026-27 third jersey introduces an eye-catching look based on bold diagonal stripes alternating between pink, black, and purple. The sleeves are dominated by bright pink with black cuffs, matched by a clean black V-neck collar. White detailing finishes the shirt, including the Macron Hero emblem, local sponsor Gavin Edgar Joinery on the chest, and a recolored monochrome club crest.
Completing the Queen of the South 26-27 third strip are black shorts and socks. The full kit is available now through the club's official online store and physical club shop.
Kifisia FC 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Greek Super League club Kifisia FC and German kit maker Erima have officially revealed the team's new home and away kits for the 26-27 campaign. Both designs introduce the branding of new front-of-shirt sponsor Tutu Deals.
The Erima Kifisia 26-27 home jersey features a timeless navy blue base covered with subtle white vertical pinstripes extending across the front and sleeves. A sharp white V-neck collar matches the clean white Erima chest branding, while the club's signature plane tree leaf crest sits proudly on the left breast.
The 26-27 away kit opts for a clean white base adorned with an intricate, tonal root-inspired graphic pattern across the body. Navy and gold trim decorates both the polo collar and the sleeve cuffs, with elegant gold detailing applied to the club crest and manufacturer logo to round off the look.
AC Bellinzona 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian brand Acerbis and Swiss side AC Bellinzona have officially unveiled the club's new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. The Ticino outfit, competing in the Swiss Promotion League, receive a coordinated pair of shirts defined by a bold cross design across the front.
The AC Bellinzona 26-27 home shirt arrives in the club's signature deep granata, highlighted by a prominent white cross spanning across the entire front of the jersey. Reversing the colorway, the 26-27 away jersey uses a clean white base complemented by the same large cross graphic in dark red.
Both jerseys feature a symmetrical, centered layout. The Acerbis wordmark and Bellinzona's diamond-shaped badge sit vertically above each other on the upper chest, while the sponsor emblem is aligned right in the center of the cross.
Ederson Continues Cutting Sleeves at Fenerbahçe
Heading into his second season in the Süper Lig, the 33-year-old goalkeeper was once again spotted taking the pitch in a cut-sleeve jersey. Simply because Fenerbahçe does not offer a short-sleeve kit option from Adidas.
At his previous clubs like Rio Ave, Benfica, and Manchester City, Ederson always had short-sleeve versions to him. His time at Fenerbahçe marks one of the rare instances in his professional career where Ederson has worn long sleeves on the pitch.
Special thanks to What The Kit for the spot and the collage.
Bordeaux 26-27 Away Kit Released
Following the launch of their home strip, Girondins de Bordeaux and Hummel have officially unveiled the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season. Amidst severe off-pitch turmoil and administrative relegation to the amateur leagues, the French club has looked to the most celebrated period in its history for design inspiration, presenting a shirt that pays tribute to the famous 1986-87 double-winning side.
The Hummel Bordeaux 26-27 away jersey is predominantly white, framed by dark navy panels across the shoulders and sleeves that house the Danish brand's signature chevrons. A classic white polo collar features discreet red trim along the edges, which is echoed on the sleeve cuffs. Completing the retro aesthetic, the left chest bears the club's circular 1980s crest rather than the modern badge, delivering an unmistakable nod to the golden era.
Presented without a main shirt sponsor, the clean retro shirt maintains a bespoke feel despite the team competing outside the professional ranks in Régional 1. Hummel continues to stand by the club under its multi-year partnership, with the kit priced at €89.95.
Adidas Croatia 26-27 Away Kit Leaked - Replica Version
Following early physical store sightings in Asia last month, the all-new Croatia 2026-27 away shirt has now gone on sale online at retailers including Pro:Direct Sport and Adidas in China ahead of its formal launch. The jersey represents one of the marquee pieces of Croatia's brand-new technical partnership with Adidas, which officially commenced on August 1 following the end of the nation's 26-year relationship with Nike. Big thanks to @thekitsbaia for the heads-up.
The Adidas Originals Croatia 26-27 away jersey features an EQT Blue base covered in an intricate tonal graphic pattern celebrating traditional Croatian lacemaking, a UNESCO-recognized craft associated with Pag and Lepoglava. Bright red-orange details highlight the V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, and the signature three stripes along the shoulders. In line with the Originals aesthetic, the shirt features the classic Trefoil logo in white alongside the full-color HNS federation badge, finished with a stylized "Hrvatska" wordmark printed on the upper back.
Buriram United 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite Kits Released
Thai powerhouse Buriram United have officially revealed their new kit collection for the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) campaign. Continuing their established tradition, the club designs and produces their domestic league uniforms in-house while partnering with local brand EGO Sport to manufacture their bespoke kits for continental competition.
The Buriram United 26-27 ACLE home shirt features the club's signature deep navy hue, elevated with fine textural graphics and a smart polo collar with contrasting trim. The away kit delivers a crisp look in white, highlighted by vibrant mint and turquoise gradient detailing spanning the shoulders, sides, and collar accents. Both shirts are finished with color-matched monochrome logos and Chang sponsorship on the chest.
Alongside the outfield strips, EGO Sport and Buriram United have also introduced two striking goalkeeper options. The first goalkeeper jersey comes in an eye-catching yellow with black side panel accents, while the alternative keeper kit is presented in vivid pink paired with white details.
Legia Warsaw Hit Over 13,000 Kit Sales in Under Three Months
Polish giants Legia Warsaw are enjoying another impressive commercial run, having sold 13,307 official Adidas shirts for the 2026-27 season in less than three months. The club has released two kits so far, with both designed to celebrate its 110th anniversary: a white home shirt and a green away kit. The white version currently holds a slight lead in sales after being available for longer.
The figures highlight the rapid growth of Legia's retail business. Just four years ago, reaching a similar total of around 13,000 shirt sales took an entire season.
Legia's total is set to continue growing, with the club also planning to release a third kit later this season.