There’s just a different buzz in the air whenever Nike is about to release a new boot. That electricity surrounds what’s sure to be an insane mashup of cutting-edge performance with a fresh look. That’s right, we’re talking about Nike’s latest Mercurial Superfly shoes, the Superfly 10s. Built for speed and skill, it’s only a matter of time before a new legacy is born wearing these. 

A Next-Gen Boot

For their latest Nike soccer cleats, they’ve gone back to the Mercurial blueprint, literally. It looks like the first colorway to be released will be the Blueprint pack, an homage to one of Nike’s founding designers, Bill Bowerman. The ‘Blueprint’ look is achieved using Glacier Blue and Blue Orbit hues complete with a typography based on Bowerman’s own notes. 

Now we all know that looking good is a great first step towards playing good. Even if the Superfly 10s didn’t look great, they’d still have you playing like one of the game’s best. In first looks at the Superfly 10s, it appears Nike has merged a lightweight, minimalist build—staples of the Mercurial silo, with GripKnit tech from the Phantom silo. 

The lightweight build isn’t anything new for a Mercurial boot, it’s what they’ve been known for since Ronaldo donned his first pair in 1998. What makes the Superfly 10s unique is the return to a lighter upper knit. Nike has reportedly stripped the upper knit down by 30%. The result is a more natural feeling and fit, both of which bode well for a Nike soccer shoe that can act as an extension of your foot. 

Even with so much new in this boot, the Dynamic Fit Collar remains unchanged. It was first introduced in 2014 with the Superfly IV to make the connection between the shoe and foot more natural. The Superfly 10’s lighter build and Dynamic Fit Collar ensure this natural connection is only improved. 

What’s With The GripKnit

One thing that set the Mercurial silo apart was the use of Vaporposite technology. The flexible mesh finish gave the light boots some durability and grip. Now it seems that Nike is ditching the Vaporposite in favor of the Phantom’s GripKnit tech. If the Superfly 10 is as light as its predecessors, but with the addition of GripKnit, it could seriously mark the start of a new era for Nike soccer cleats. 

If you’re a diehard Mercurial fan and haven’t heard about GripKnit, it’s fairly easy to grasp. The shoe’s upper knit is soft with a sticky feel. The grippy texture allows for better ball control and dribbling, a must-have for dynamic playmakers like Kylian Mbappe, the famed Superfly star.  

GripKnit uppers are also melted and coated to provide additional weatherization benefits while decreasing weight. If rain is a consistent presence in gameday forecasts, having that GripKnit tech in a boot as light as the Superfly makes for a boot that can stand up to a demanding season. 

The Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 is a boot that perfectly balances Nike’s past and future for an exciting present. Take your game up a notch by snagging these at SoccerPro.