One of this summer ’ s blockbuster releases came in the imprint of the Nike Mercurial Superfly V. The one-fifth version of Nike ’ s sum focal ratio silo features some serious upgrades, with a textured Flyknit upper and an anatomic soleplate highlighting the technical school specification. When you are the boot of option for a actor like Cristiano Ronaldo there is always going to be grave expectations from fans, and as you ’ five hundred expect Nike has taken the overall blueprint and performance very badly .
We ’ ve had these in testing for a few weeks, and here is how it all went down .
Find this acquittance colorway available at soccer.com.
Initial Reaction
As releases go, this one has some dangerous technical school specification and a accomplished makeup that is about adenine advance as we have always seen in a boot. I ’ molarity expecting the upper design with focal ratio rib texture is going to provide unlike feel on the ball, and it is going to be concern to see if the Flyknit material produces a different type of meet from what has been a tight-fitting boot since the silo ’ south beginning introduction to the marketplace .
The Fastest Boot In Soccer
One of the key features of the Superfly V is how all of the materials interlock to produce the most efficient box possible. A dynamic mid-cut collar secures foot to ankle, while the upper is a textured Flyknit material, with horizontal stylus rush ridicule running across the upper for extra definition on the ball. According to the Nike design team, the concept was bare ; “ merge skill with design to build the fastest kick in soccer. ”
Breaking In and Comfort
In typical manner for a Mercurial boot, these are compressed starting out. It takes a little work to squeeze your foot in and once you do, its cubby correct throughout. That creates a secure burst correct from the ankle collar through the integral foundation. The saving decorate lies in how much stretch there is in the upper berth material. Flyknit is a truly friendly material that wants to work with your foot condition to define its true mold. This, in turn, makes them one of the most comfortable Superfly boots released to date .
But they come with what I deem to be a flaw. The condition of the heel ( it is cut deeper to cradle the heel ) leaves the home heel buffet more expose to the cad and that produced a definite hot spotlight through the first few wears. I found that my heel was pushed right back up against the wall due to the close feel through the forefoot. The good thing is that as I wore them more and they opened up, that subsided and it hasn ’ thyroxine been an consequence since. As a resultant role, I ’ five hundred recommend wearing them in a few training sessions before taking them into a game. Allow the boot to loosen and flex therefore that they evolve to your natural foot condition .
One final bill here, the soleplate features an unusual roll invention that I had some issues with, but I want to cover that more in its own individual section ( read more below ) .
Textured Flyknit Upper
If there is anything I absolutely love about these boots it is the textured upper that cover the upper. For the first time, Nike leveraged data-informed texture mapping to create a Flyknit “ speed rib ” 3D texture. The promote surfaces provide clash between the upper berth and ball. These rib range in thickness from 1 millimeter to 2.5 millimeters, giving you an idea of how much definition runs through the forefoot .
With a boot crop like the retired T90 Laser, you got serious ping off the surface of the boot. With the Superfly V it is besides a ping, but a softer more controlled ping. That might be slightly confusing to comprehend, but the chummy level of rib has a more coagulated feel and that in twist creates a firmer region for connecting with the ball. On the T90 it was an contiguous recoil, but since the material here is knit, you get a more uniform rebound that still provides a level of sex appeal. Where they very prove useful is when you are looking to place shots, as the texture allows you to bend the ball with that little bit of extra power .
In terms of general refer and feel, this is an exceptionally style boot. Again, Flyknit is a bang-up material to work with as it is thin enough to allow for natural touch yet it is dense adequate to keep your foot protected through act. You don ’ t need any excess visualize gimmicks as the accelerate ribs increase the general coat area without impacting dominance as you get on the ball. Plus, it runs through the instep and that creates a zone similar to what you ’ five hundred find on the CTR360 series ; ideal for taking retentive passes out of the air .
Mercurial Anatomical Plate
If there is anything I didn ’ triiodothyronine love about these boots, it is that dang soleplate. I ’ m not talking scantling configuration here, rather I ’ thousand merely going after the soleplate and the feel underfoot. When you slip your feet in the boots, this is no ordinary flat soleplate. The newfangled Mercurial ’ s anatomical reference plate is aligned with the natural contour of the foot, “ eliminating the col that previously existed underfoot ”, according to Nike. If you look at the images of the sole above, you can see how the sole has different dimensions. The areas where there are a series of vertical lines is where the inside of the boot dips down, or the areas where Nike has grooved out the material. The toes besides deep down along the front line of the forefoot .
I get what Nike are trying to do here, and it does have its benefits angstrom well as the fact that its 40 % lighter than the carbon fiber plate it replaces, while being stronger and more responsive. But I ’ ve however got issues with it. First, it feels like you are placing your foot on top of a mini mountain range when you slip them on for the beginning clock time. I found that this caused some cramping underfoot as I adjusted to a non-flat surface. The design is wholly different and every musician out there will have that moment of “ whats going on here ? ” My biggest problem lies in fact Nike are expecting players to adjust to a modern plate, and by adjusting to that plate you are binding yourself with this particular Nike liberation. If you were to switch to another bang, then you need to adjust to a flat plate. And what if this is not a design placed on the future Superfly VI ? I ’ thousand all about advancements, but in like fashion to the Concave PT+, I ’ meter not about modifications that players need to badly focus on adjusting to .
The traction system of the Mercurial has besides been revamped for speed. For the first time, Nike Football leveraged virtual Finite Element Analysis ( FEA ) examination, which provided scientific data to identify which traction form works best for the speed-focused player, inclusive of linear sprints. I ’ ve got to say that this test has paid off as the actual grip provided is ace, providing the grade of security you ’ five hundred expect from a boot that CR7 wears. Both front man Chevron blades, in particular, prove highly useful through toe away, as you look to accelerate out of compressed paces. Two thumbs up hera .
Dynamic Mid Cut Collar
The collar on this one remains unaltered, and it is stretchable enough to allow your foundation agile submission. Pulling them off is actually the hood part, but even that only takes a few seconds. It ’ sulfur aim is to create a better suit and a intensify sensation of the boot as an propagation of the foot. I get why it is included and there is a large section of fans that swear by the inclusion body of a collar on their boots. personally, I prefer a regular ankle ignore ! Through clothing, I ’ ve found that my Achilles feels “ tired ” as the material tends to reduce the slant of stretch I get through accelerated movements. During play it isn ’ t a big return, but after taking the boots off my Achilles area feels like it is slightly bruised. It is an emergence I ’ ve reported to the folks at Nike on numerous occasions .
A common doubt we get is will that ankle lining stretch to a loosen equip ? The answer from my know is no. Flyknit is a strong substantial and the material is woven in such a way that it springs back very effectively .
How do they Fit?
Through this review we have talked a fortune about the burst and the fact that they fall in line with previous Mercurial Superfly releases. They will more naturally match players with a more narrow animal foot, but the inclusion of a Flyknit upper berth means they have some give and can accommodate a wide-eyed meet. Let me clarify some more here by stating that they don ’ metric ton ride alongside the top wide-eyed fitting market options ; they are plainly the most accommodate Superfly release we have seen to date .
In terms of duration, they are reasonably a lot true to size. I mentioned the tight match through the heel while initially wearing them, but I wouldn ’ thymine change the size I tested. After breaking them in, it was nobelium longer an offspring and the general fit was pretty ideal .
Vapor XI vs Superfly V
We covered this one in a post recently, but basically the ocular design of both boots is very similar, but the materials used are identical different. Superfly uses a Flyknit while Vapor uses a bendable microfiber material. The cut of the ankle is besides identical different, with a regular deletion on the Vapor. They are alike in the fact that both uppers have speed ribs and definition through the upper, while the same soleplate is used on both. so, there are similarities between both, but in reality they are their own unique expressive style of boots. Check out the latest Vapor XI colorways here .
Visual Design
The intro Superfly V features a standout dual 2-tone design, with batch of color and a look that garners attention. Using Flyknit truly allows Nike to define different colors in singular areas of the boot, allowing players to express themselves on-pitch. The moment release in the serial comes as share of the Pitch Dark Pack, with a blacken upper and Hyper Pink color through the signature swoosh .
Critics Notes
The soleplate is my biggest exit with these, I equitable don ’ t like the wave that exists across the footbed. long terminus, I ’ m not sure it will provide adequate benefits, and then there is the issue of what boots to switch to next if you always need a change from Superfly.
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In summary here, it is worth pointing out that this is a very advanced bang and as a result it won ’ t be ideal for all players. I sit in that category. But you can tell by the diaphanous number of professional players wearing them that they offer value and players can adjust to the flush of operation they provide. It is a while aside, but I ’ meter already eagerly anticipating the following liberation in the Superfly series just to see where Nike point from here .
There are plenty of great colorways available in the Superfly V series – find the currently line-up available at soccer.com.
The Skinny Summary
Highlight: A speed focused boot that provides a timbre touch and feel on the ball thanks to a amphetamine rib Flyknit upper. The best adjustment Superfly let go of to go steady.
Category: Speed and Agility.
Weight: 6.5oz, the lightest Superfly to date !
Would I Buy Them: They are the most competitive Superfly released to date, but they merely don ’ metric ton seat with my personal vogue and if I had $ 300 to burn I ’ vitamin d find other boots to spend the money on !
Player Position : It is all about attack. Whether you play out on the flank, are a creative assaultive midfielder or like to sit up top score goals, these are a bespoke boot for your position .
Review Scores out of 10
Comfort
Performance
Technology
Visual Effect
Speed Category
8 / 10
User Rating:
3.14
(
53
votes )
Read more: David Prowse