All New Superfly: Nike Mercurial Superfly 6 Elite vs Superfly 5 - Key Differences

With the new generation of the Nike Mercurial Superfly football boots finally released, let's take a closer look at how they compare to their predecessor, the Superfly V. Here are the key differences between the two models.

Lower Collar

What stands out immediately about the new Nike Mercurial Superfly boots is that the Dynamic Fit collar is much lower, and also shaped differently.

This is one that had been requested for ages, considering the many professionals including the Mercurial player in Cristiano Ronaldo are sporting custom shortened collars. If the Superfly 6 collar is still too high for your taste, you should definitely give the new, all-Flyknit Vapor 12 a try.

Split Sole Plate

When looking at traction, the split sole plate of the Mercurial Superfly 6 has little in common with that of its predecessor. Although the traction setup itself is unchanged, what was previously one plate is now split in the center allowing for an overall lighter construction.

All of this is enabled by the all-new Flyknit 360 construction, with the Mercurial Superfly VI and Vapor XII being the first two Swoosh shoes to feature the new tech. Exciting times.

Performance and durability will be key here, although the weight reduction that comes with this change will always be welcome in a speed boot.

'Speed Ribs' vs 'Microtexture'

The so-called 'Speed Ribs' where one of the standout features of the 2016 Mercurial Superfly, designed to offer an improved touch when running with the ball at high speeds. Two years on and they are gone, replaced by a new mictrotexture structure that was often likened to what Adidas implemented in its X silo.

Swoosh Placement + Other Brandings

Just a visual change but big nonetheless, the characteristic large Swoosh present on both previous Dynamic Fit Nike Mercurial Superfly cleats was dropped in favor of a new toebox placement - it's one that divides opinion to say the least.

This toebox Swoosh placement will ONLY feature on the initial two Superfly 6 colorways however, with the next one - which is already the World Cup edition - taking a much more traditional approach.

Do you like the direction Nike has taken with the Mercurial Superfly 6? Drop us a line below, and check out the Boot Calendar for all the latest leaks and release dates.