Did On Copy the Nike Mercurial Sole Plate?
- Sole Plate Resemblance: On's upcoming football boot soleplate exhibits significant similarities to Nike Mercurial models, particularly in its frontal Y-shaped studs and overall aesthetic, drawing comparisons to various Mercurial editions.
- Design Distinctions: While not a 1:1 copy, On's soleplate is a hybrid design featuring three-bladed propeller studs and a solid plate with a central channel, contrasting with Nike's main chevron-shaped studs and integrated Air Zoom airbag.
- Influence of Kylian Mbappé: The functional resemblance is a deliberate choice by On to replicate the elite bite and stiff responsiveness favored by Kylian Mbappé, who previously headlined the Nike Mercurial line.
Update - Sunday, September 27, 2026: As spotted by modder BxR Mods, the frontal Y-shaped studs are similar to the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 football boots. All in all, the On soleplate is like a hybrid of different Mercurial models.
Following a closer look at prototypes of On's upcoming football boots developed alongside Kylian Mbappé, fans quickly drew comparisons between On's prototype soleplate and Nike's iconic Mercurial tooling. Side-by-side images with models like the iridescent Nike Mercurial Patta edition show an instantly recognizable visual aesthetic.
On Football Prototype vs Nike Mercurial Sole Plate
On did not make a 1:1 copy of the Mercurial plate, but the similarities are remarkable. Both boots focus on studs engineered for explosive linear acceleration - Nike has mainly chevron-shaped studs, while On opts for three-bladed propeller studs - chevron-shaped studs with another line added at the top. The front and rear studs are, meanwhile, practically identical (the rear is similar to old Mercurials and not the current-gen Mercurials, which replaced the chevron-shaped studs with straight ones).
Unlike Nike's Air Zoom Mercurial, which is built entirely around an integrated forefoot Air Zoom airbag, On's design utilizes a solid plate construction with a central channel running through the midfoot.
The functional resemblance is hardly surprising. With Mbappé acting as the global face and partner of On Football after spending his entire senior career headlining the Nike Mercurial line, On naturally sought to replicate the elite bite and stiff responsiveness the French forward favors.
Meanwhile, the upper of On's soccer cleats is really unique, made from the brand's trademark LightSpray technology. For LightSpray, a robot sprays roughly 1.5 kilometers (nearly 1 mile) of continuous thread onto a foot-shaped mold. The material solidifies instantly, creating a seamless, glueless, one-piece upper that fits like a glove or second skin.