Mercurial Vapor FF 10

Thought that Nike were only going to release the sole 2006 Vapor IX remake as a part of their Summer collection of boots? Not quite so. We knew that Nike had to wrap up their truly terrific ‘Fast Forward’ collection of Vapor IX boots, throwing us back to the classic World Cup Mercurials of the 1998, 2002 and 2006 tournaments, and they have finally unveiled the final chapter of the series with the Metallic Machine Purple/Black/Orange colourway brought back to life with the modern technology found on the Vapor IX. It is the ending of what has been a terrific look back at the highlights of the Mercurial series, and The Instep has all your photos of Nike’s latest Vapor IX release.

2010 Vapor IX side view

While the Vibrant Yellow/Black Vapor IX remake commemorated the Vapor that Ronaldo (Brazilian one, people) equalled and broke the record for the most all time goals scored in a World Cup with 15 goals over three World Cups. But a different Ronaldo took over as the poster boy for the World Cup Mercurial range, with Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the face of the Superfly II with his flashy Metallic Machine Purple/Black/Orange colourway released as part of Nike’s “Elite Pack” of football boots. Fittingly enough, Cristiano Ronaldo is also expected to wear the two tone boot through until the end of the season for Real Madrid.

Of course, we have lost a few of the specs which made the original 2010 Vapor a bit special. There is no Flywire, no carbon fibre soleplate, no SenseStud tractive technology…but rather the technology we have come to love about the Vapor IX. There is the Teijin synthetic upper, complete with the Speed Control dimples to allow for close control of the ball when dribbling at high speeds. Meanwhile, a contoured sock liner ensures a glove like fit, so you know that a one-to-one feel with the ball is definitely the call to order with the Vapor IX.

2010 Vapor IX side view alternative

The good news continues when we start to look at the soleplate. The soleplate is made of two layers of glass fibre, and when paired with the direct inject TPU studs, allows for a responsive soleplate that maximises acceleration. It is, of course, the aesthetic concepts of the new Vapor IX that is most exciting. The boot features the same two tone purple and orange as the original release. There is also the little ’10’ visual nod on the heel of the boot, identifying the year of the original boot.

2010 Vapor IX top view

2010 Vapor IX soleplate

As with the other Fast Forward Nike Vapor releases, each boot comes with it’s own little story on the sockliner of the boot, describing the moment that made the original Superfly II boot famous, plus notes on the design and innovation behind the boot. Expected to retail at $225, this is sadly the final Vapor IX Nike will ever release. Nike are blowing out the candle on the 9th generation of the Mercurial to open the door for the Vapor X, which will see in time for the upcoming World Cup. With Nike always wanting to surprise us, what should we expect for the Vapor X? Well, we can’t tell, but we promise that it is pretty awesome…

Vapor FF 10 description

Mach Purple Vapor FF 10

You can grab your 2010 Vapor IX from SoccerPro on March the 24th, so will you be grabbing your pair? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

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