Next-Gen Adidas Nemeziz 19 Two Plate Construction Stolen From Nike Mercurial 360?

Adidas this month released the all new, third generation of the Adidas Nemeziz soccer cleats. The boots introduce a brand-new 2 plate, 360° sole design that reminds many of the Nike Mercurial 360 boots. We compare Adidas' and Nike's constructions.

Adidas Nemeziz 19 Features Nike Mercurial 360-Like Plate Design

The main feature of the Nike Mercurial 2018 boots (Nike Mercurial Superfly VI & Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII) was the all-new 360 construction. The Mercurial Superfly 360 and Mercurial Vapor 360 wrap the entire foot in Nike Flyknit. The main feature of the Adidas Nemeziz 19+ is that the Adidas Nemeziz 19+ offers a "revolutionized 360-degree agility and performance for creators on the pitch."

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This new innovation hugs the foot and eliminates the gaps between the foot and the soleplate. In fact, it eliminates the soleplate altogether,” explains Max Blau, VP of Nike Football Footwear.

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Adidas markets the new Adidas Nemeziz 19+ them similar to the Mercurial 360 - the Adidas Nemeziz 19 boots wrap the entire foot into the medical-tape inspired design.

"A split outsole and Torsion System insole board provide the flexibility for every twist and turn; Explosive acceleration and high-speed turns supported by an agility stud configuration" - Adidas about the Adidas Nemeziz 19+ on their website.

In fact, the high-end version of the Adidas Nemeziz football boots was originally called Adidas Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility. The Adidas Nemeziz 19+ is just dubbed Adidas Nemeziz 19+.

So, all in all, with the Adidas Nemeziz 19+ and 19.1 football boots released around 18 months after the Nike Mercurial 360, it is hard to imagine that Adidas was not aware of Nike's design. However, there is no certainty that Adidas copied it.

The next-generation Nike Mercurial football boots are set to be released in late Summer 2019. There won't be very big changes to the current generation Mercurial, at least images from player wearing blackut prototypes in training suggest that.

What do you think of this? Are you a fan of the two plate, 360° construction? Let us know in the comments below.