Nike Moves the Mercurial Lineage Forward With New Vapor Next Nature

Nike‘s Mercurial Vapor football boot first debuted in 1998 on the feet of Ronaldo, and later became a popular shoe for strikers, wingers, and other top footballers around the world who valued speed as part of their game. With previous boots primarily made of leather, Nike introduced the Vapors as a forward-thinking concept, using synthetics to craft ultra-lightweight boots.

The Mercurial Vapor series continued to tack on upgrades throughout the years including seven new precision-engineered components that reduced weight in 2021. This year’s improvements come in the form of sustainable performance, aiming to improve player performance while protecting the planet and the future of sports.

The latest iteration in the storied franchise is dubbed the Mercurial Vapor Next Nature, featuring a 100 percent recycled plate and overall 50 percent recycled content by weight. Four-layer uppers consist of recycled polyester, recycled TPU, manufacturing scraps, and 3D printed Flyprint for the first time, a material that’s more lightweight and breathable than traditional textiles while exhibiting water-repellent qualities.

Visually, the football boots feature a mix of orange Just Do It print and black tread mark patterns alongside a large Nike Sunburst logo on the medial side. Semi-translucent white layered overlays are spread across the silhouette, a threaded Swoosh runs across the laterals, and clear and black studs are found on the bottoms to complete the design.

Take an official look at the Mercurial Vapor Next Nature above, and expect the pairs to debut later this year. More information can be found on the Nike website.

Elsewhere in footwear, take a first look at the Nike Air Max Terrascape 97.