Nike Start to Release Elite Player Edition Boots - What's This All About?

In recent times, some independent retailers have started to sell "Player Edition" versions of Nike's high-end Elite football boots. What's this all about?

Nike Elite vs. Elite Player Edition Boots - What's the Difference?

First and foremost, the Nike Player Edition football cleats are standard, non-custom Nike releases. So, unfortunately, they are not the perfectly customized soccer cleats worn by Nike's star players.

Second, the Nike Player Edition football boots are mostly available for Soft Ground boots - why? The reason is the outsole, which is the only difference between both versions.

The standard SG-Pro Nike football boots have the Anti-Clog technology, while the Player Edition comes without the technology. This is because the Anti-Clog tech makes the boots slightly heavier - many pro players want it as light as possible. Thanks to Soora-Sardiel from Reddit for the info.

For example, Haaland is wearing the Player Edition version without Anti-Clog, while De Bruyne used a custom sole plate with Anti-Clog for the Nike Phantom GX.

Big thanks to BCBootsUK for the pictures of the player boots

Haaland's Custom Nike Mercurials

Another difference is that the Anti-Clog boots do not feature replaceable metal studs anymore, whereas the Player Edition boots do.

Apart from the sole plate, the standard Nike Elite and the Elite Player Edition football boots are the same. Both are not customized but standard Nike releases from the usual factory and not from Nike's player-exclusive factory in Italy.

Interestingly, possibly to not confuse people, Nike are not selling the Player Edition boots at all. It are only specialist retailers like Pro:Direct, Unisportstore, and 11 Teamsports who sell them.

There also exists the original standard version of Anti-Clog soleplates from 2016, which is used for Nike takedowns nowadays. It was used by many Nike athletes like Mahrez and Lucas Hernandez after being introduced.

Both the standard Elite and Player Edition Nike football boots retail at the same price - for the Mercurials, it is 285 Euro.

Nike Elite vs. Elite Player Edition Boots - What's the Difference?

• Nike Player Edition cleats are standard, non-customized Nike releases.
• Anti-Clog technology is absent in the Player Edition boots.
• Player Edition boots feature replaceable metal studs.
• Only few retailers sell them - Nike do not offer them at all.
• Both the standard Elite and Player Edition boots retail at the same price - 285 Euro.

Did you know that Nike Player Edition boots exist? Let us know in the comments below.