All-New Nike Air Zoom Mercurial Boot - To Be Never Launched?
Feb 8, 2021, by Pat
Update: Around one year after Nike revealed the boots, the Nike Air Zoom Mercurial have still not been released. In fact, they were intended to be launched in August 2020 for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to 2021.
It is not sure if the Nike Air Zoom Mercurial boots will be launched anytime - they have some elements in common with the next-gen Nike Mercurial 2021 cleats.
Update: Thanks to @sneakeronsight, we get a first look at the sole plate and studs of the all-new Nike Air Zoom Mercurial 2020 football boots. Especially the cleats of the football boots look very interesting.
Update: We can exclusively leak the launch date of the Nike Air Zoom Mercurial football boots. The first-ever Nike soccer cleat with Flyprint tech will be launched in August 2020. The boot will be not available to buy everywhere, and very likely also limited to not "too many pairs" worldwide. They will retail at around 300 Euro.
February 2021: Nike Reveals 2020 Tokyo Olympics Line-Up Incl. Air Zoom Mercurial Boots
Updated with more pictures. Besides three national team kit sets (Nigeria, South Korea and USA), Nike also launched an all-new (concept) football boot at its Innovation event in New York City, the Air Zoom Mercurial.
Nike Air Zoom Mercurial
This picture shows the all-new Nike Air Zoom Mercurial soccer cleat.
Nike showed off two colorways of the new boots - one picture of a black one was shared, while the white colorway could be seen on the release pictures for the new national team kits.
The Nike Air Zoom boots have a full-length Zoom Air bad, designed to provide a "unique underfoot sensation" and better energy return. To achieve this, the internal boot chassis was transitioned to the plate, leaving only the sockliner between the foot and the Zoom Air bag for maximum effect.
“We started with a full length Zoom Air bag and visualized what it would look like if the Air bag kept growing up the sides and enveloped the boot,” says Jeongwoo Lee, Senior Design Director, Nike Football. “This led to the creation of an upper so translucent, varying the hues of the internal sockliner drastically impacts the external appearance of the boot.”
Nike's Air Zoom cleat is the first in football to feature a Flyprint upper. Flyprint is Nike's first 3D-printed textile upper and debuted on the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite Flyprint, worn by marathoner Eliud Kipchoge.
Nike Flyprint uppers are produced through solid deposit modeling (SDM), a process whereby a TPU filament is unwound from a coil, melted and laid down in layers. The Flyprint method allows designers to translate athlete data into new textile structures.
One benefit of 3D textiles over traditional 2D fabrics is the increased dynamism made possible by adding an interconnection beyond a warp and weft; an advantage of Flyprint textiles comes in the fused nature of the material. For example, whereas in a knit or woven textile there is frictional resistance between the interlaced (warp and weft) yarns, in a printed textile, due to its fused intersections, there is greater potential for precision-tuned containment. The Air Zoom Mercurial’s Flyprint upper is lighter and more breathable than Nike's previously employed textiles, while still coated with All Conditions Control (ACC) to battle the elements.
Nike’s computational design ensures the upper is reinforced in the right areas with a fine-tuned Flyprint pattern unique to football. In addition to that, the Air Zoom Mercurial features Flywire cables for additional structure and support.
The most impressive part of the Air Zoom Mercurial, however, remains the 4.5mm thick Air Zoom bag. Inspired by Nike's recent advances in running shoe tech, it aims to improve responsiveness more than offer extra cushion.
“In the past, there was a lot of focus on cushioning the heel, but Mercurial players don’t play on their heels.” notes Lee. “The players we designed for are taking off from their forefoot at full speed, repeatedly. That’s why we focused on providing a thin, full-length Zoom bag that can best be defined as snappy. You don’t squish into it so much as propel off of it.”
The Zoom Air bag is visible – and in one area, exposed and touchable – underfoot. In honor of the 20th anniversary of Zoom Air, “20 Zoom” appears on the heel counter. In addition to being one of Nike’s signature innovations, Air is also among the most sustainable. All Nike Air sole innovations since 2008 contain at least 50% recycled manufacturing waste. Flyprint is also a sustainable method of make and as a nod to this, the instep of the boot reads, “Structure printed as a single strand = Zero Waste.”
“The Air Zoom Mercurial is a glimpse into the future and where we could take things,” concludes Lee. “With innovations like Air and Flyprint at our disposal, as well as those things still under development, there’s no limit to what football boots can become.”
It's still a concept at this point, but we don't think that Nike hasn't planned a rollout for the new tech already. Since there's no word on release info yet, stay tuned for more as it becomes available to us.
What do you think about Nike's latest innovation in football boots? Comment below, and check out the Boot Calendar for all the latest leaks and release dates.
Al-Diriyah 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Saudi Arabian side Diriyah Club has officially revealed its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season, crafted by Italian sportswear brand Macron. Both jerseys integrate bespoke design elements rooted in the history and cultural heritage of Diriyah.
The Diriyah Club 26-27 home shirt features a clean white base paired with dark green and gold trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs. The front of the shirt displays a subtle tonal chevron pattern accompanied by geometric accents, inspired by the traditional patterns found on iconic local doors. Gold Macron logos and a gold club crest round off the design.
The 26-27 away kit adopts a deep green color scheme with matching gold details across the collar, cuffs, and brand logos. A tonal vertical stripe pattern is integrated into the front panel, featuring grape motifs that symbolize the regional tradition of hospitality. Both new kits will be worn by Diriyah Club in their upcoming league campaign.
Gaming-Inspired Lincoln City 26-27 Third Kit Released
Lincoln City and kit supplier Oxen have officially revealed the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Designed with a distinct gaming and digital theme, the striking strip expands the Imps' kit collection for the new campaign.
The shirt features a predominantly white base covered in an intricate circuit board graphic in light green. Vibrant mint green accents cover the shoulders and upper chest, balanced by navy trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs. The design is rounded off with the Oxen logo, a stylized monochrome Lincoln City crest, and the main Nanna Tate front sponsor logo.
Unveiled through an arcade-themed photoshoot, the kit is completed with matching shorts and socks. The new release is available through the official club store and online channels.
SSC Bari 26-27 Home, Away and Third Kits Released
Italian club SSC Bari and technical supplier Erreà have officially revealed the team's new home, away, and third kits for the 26-27 season. The entire collection pays homage to one of the city's most famous landmarks, the iconic Teatro Petruzzelli, incorporating its architectural features into the visual design of all three shirts.
The 26-27 home kit is presented in classic white, featuring subtle tonal graphics derived from the theatre's ornate facade, finished with red trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs. The away jersey comes in red and incorporates blue-teal accents on the V-neck collar and cuffs, with subtle front graphics representing the building's windows and balconies.
Completing the trio, the third kit arrives in blue, referencing both the iron entrance doors of the Teatro Petruzzelli and Bari's coastal connection to the Adriatic Sea.
FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy 26-27 Kits Released
Swiss club FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy and technical sponsor Macron have officially unveiled the team's new kit set for the 26-27 season. The release features a complete trio of home, away, and third shirts, all built around a shared dynamic liquid marble pattern.
The 26-27 home kit comes in the club's traditional red color, featuring white accent lines and detailing. The away jersey mirrors the design on a white base with red accents, while the third kit opts for a dark aesthetic, combining a black body with gold wave graphics and matching gold crest and sponsor details.
Kalamata FC 26-27 Away Kit Released
Greek Super League club Kalamata FC have officially unveiled their 2026-27 away kit. Made by Macron, the new design introduces a sleek blackout-inspired look for the upcoming season.
The Macron Kalamata FC 2026-27 away shirt features a predominantly black base with a subtle tonal geometric pattern across the front. White Macron, Novibet sponsor and club crest details provide contrast, while black trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs completes the clean monochromatic design.
What do you think of the new Kalamata FC 2026-27 away kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
SV Elversberg 26-27 Third Kit Released
German 2. Bundesliga side SV Elversberg and Nike have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. The vibrant uniform gives the team a standout alternative look for the new campaign.
The Nike SV Elversberg 26-27 third shirt features a bright red-orange base covered in an eye-catching optical halftone graphic pattern across the front and sleeves. White detailing is used for the Nike Swoosh on the right chest, while the traditional SV Elversberg crest is positioned on the left. Main sponsor HYLO sits prominently in a black rectangular box across the middle.
On the back, player names and numbers are printed in white with black outlines, with the club's tagline printed on the upper collar area. The kit is set to be worn during selected away fixtures throughout the 26-27 season.
Grenoble Foot 38 26-27 Away Kit Released
French Ligue 2 club Grenoble Foot 38 and Nike have officially launched the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season.
The Nike GF38 26-27 away jersey features a clean white base paired with vivid royal blue raglan sleeves. The defining feature of the shirt is a bold blue mountain graphic across the lower front, drawing direct inspiration from the surrounding Alps. Dark blue accents complete the look on the Nike Swoosh and the Carrefour Market sponsor logo. Just like on the home shirt, the regional coat of arms of Dauphiné is detailed on the upper back.
Matching royal blue shorts and black socks complete the full Grenoble Foot 38 26-27 away strip.
Stockport County 26-27 Third Kit Released
Stockport County and Puma have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. The vibrant new release completes the club's kit set for the campaign, joining the previously revealed home and away strips.
The Stockport County 26-27 third shirt introduces a striking coral base color featuring a subtle vertical graphic pattern running down the front. All accent details, including the Puma cat logo, main front sponsor VITA, and the monochrome Stockport County crest, are finished in contrasting black.
Matching coral shorts and socks complete the full uniform setup. The Puma Stockport County 26-27 third kit is available to purchase now both online and at the physical County Store.