Nike Unveils New Mercurial Vapor and Superfly Football Boots

Nike is reshaping its Mercurial franchise by introducing two distinct expressions of speed with the new Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 and Nike Mercurial Superfly 11. Rather than building one speed-focused boot for every type of player, Nike has divided the line into separate performance approaches tailored to different movement styles on the pitch.

The Vapor 17 focuses on explosive movement in tighter spaces. Designed as the lightest Mercurial ever, the boot follows a sprint-spike philosophy centered around fast reactions, quick cuts, and immediate acceleration. A lightweight Atomknit upper combines with an ultrathin FlyLite plate underfoot to reduce unnecessary weight while preserving responsiveness. Rounded chevron studs also help improve traction during sharp changes in direction and rapid stop-start movement.

Meanwhile, the Superfly 11 takes a different route by prioritizing speed that can be maintained across an entire match. The boot introduces Mercurial’s most responsive speed setup yet, featuring a visible external Air Zoom unit positioned under the forefoot. Nike engineered the system to compress during play and provide additional energy return as players accelerate into open space.

The Superfly also introduces several design changes beyond cushioning. A FlyWeave Ultra upper creates a close-fitting structure around the foot, while the silhouette returns to a low-cut collar for the first time since 2014, allowing for more natural movement while still maintaining lockdown support.

Nike developed both boots through extensive testing focused on how athletes create, manage, and reuse energy throughout an entire match rather than optimizing for a single sprint moment. That approach reflects the modern game, where players repeatedly accelerate, decelerate, and change direction under fatigue.

The Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 and Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 are scheduled to release beginning June 1, 2026.