Nike Mercurial Vapor

The next generation of Nike soccer shoes has arrived in the form of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 16s, and they’re everything top-notch players were looking for. From established legends like Ronaldo to up-and-coming stars, the Vapors have what elite players need to stay a step ahead. 

Why? Because the latest Vapors combine speed and control into one ultralight, comfortable Nike soccer cleat. A speed-focused soleplate for reliable traction to build speed meets a Gripknit mesh upper to finish in the clutch. Think you’re ready for takeoff in a pair of Vapor 16s?

What are the Mercurial Vapor 16 soccer cleats good for?

There are more good reasons to pick up a pair of Mercurial Vapors than Ronaldo has goals. The Mercurial silo has long been famous as the footwear of the game’s fastest. The Vapor 15s were no different, but the Vapor 16s are shaping up to be a generation-defining Nike soccer cleat. Nike included some key swaps that make the Vapor 16s perfect for players looking for speed and control.

The much-anticipated new edition to the Mercurial Vapors is the Gripknit upper on the toes of these boots. Associated with the precision Phantom GX and Phantom Lunas, its addition to the Mercurial Vapor is a lethal combination of speed and touch. 

What sets Gripknit apart is that it’s a sticky upper designed to make ball control easier in all conditions. Nike calls this little feature All Conditions Control. Gripknit is made up of a tiny studded texture that molds to your foot, creating an almost custom fit and comfort. It also elevates the cleat-to-ball feeling that only going barefoot can compare with. 

Lighter, Not Less

With all that focus on touch, you might think the Vapors have lost a step in the speed game. Not even close. The Mercurial Vapors are 30% lighter than their Vapor 15 predecessors, putting them in position to break speed records on the pitch. 

What’s behind the new, lighter Vapors? Gone is the silo’s unique Vaporposite upper. Flyknit, a standard feature for the Phantom and  Nike Tiempo silos, takes its place. On the sides is Atomknit, a unique type of Flyknit that sheds serious weight without compromising on quality. The combination of synthetic knits results in a supremely comfortable fit and feel.

Traction Wherever the Action Takes You

The Vapor 16’s outsole truly sets this shoe apart. A revamped stud pattern incorporates waves to keep the speed up without unnecessary drag. Heel blades at the back make it easier for top players to cut, stop, and accelerate at an elite level. 

The Vapor 16s are also good for keeping you going late into the game with their ¾ length Air Zoom unit. Air Zoom is a staple in Nike’s arsenal and it’s deployed here to add some extra bounce and return a little extra energy in every stride. 

With Mercurial Vapor 16s available for firm ground, multi-ground, artificial grass, turf, and indoor courts, there’s not a single pitch on the planet these aren’t good for.

What is the difference between the Mercurial Vapor and Superfly?

Naturally, since both these cleats are part of the same Mercurial silo, there’s a lot of overlap. The core difference between the Vapors and the Mercurial Superflys is the Dynamic Fit Collar. Back in 2014, the Superfly IV sported the first DF Collar and Nike hasn’t looked back since.

The Dynamic Fit collar keeps the ankle in line with the foot, giving the Superfly an extra feeling of stability. That stability isn’t often found in other brands’ speed silos. For players like Kylian Mbappe, who prefer a more high-top cleat, the Superfly is in a class all its own.

Who wears Mercurial Vapors?

The Mercurial Vapor 16s truly are the cleats of the next generation of rising superstars in soccer. As the game continues to get faster, the need for boots like the Vapors will only grow. One of the game’s best forwards, Vinicius Junior, leads Real Madrid in a pair of Vapor 16s. The new Gripknit on the 16s perfectly complements Vini Jr’s ability to maintain control of the ball even when moving at high speed. 

The Vapor 16s aren’t just for strikers, though. They’re perfect for any position on the pitch. Case in point: Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai trusts a pair of Vapor 16s to help him control the game. The Air Zoom unit in the Vapor 16s is perfect for a player like Szoboszlai, who is known to play box-to-box. That return of energy and extra comfort makes a real difference for a player running up and down the pitch for 90 minutes or more. 

If there’s ever going to be another Ronaldo, it would make sense that they’d suit up with a pair of Vapor 16s and be a forward on a historic Italian Serie A franchise like Juventus. It just so happens that exact player exists in the form of Dušan Vlahović. The Serbian Superstar is still early in his career but wears Ronaldo’s number 7, his Vapors, and a skillset eerily reminiscent of Ronaldo. 

Maybe Vlahović is the next Ronaldo, or maybe the next Ronaldo just finished reading this.