Nike Mercurial Vapor

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The Mercurial Vapor is a football boot made by Nike. The boot is known for being lightweight, the latest versions weighing 196 g (6.9 oz) per boot. Because of this, the boot is favoured by many players for whom speed is a very important part of their game, notably wingers or strikers. The boot is now in its fourth version, available in three colourways - Orange Peel, Black/Vivid Blue and Sport Red.

The boot is available in either Soft Ground (SG) or Firm Ground (FG) versions. The SG version's sole plate is fitted with six NikeSnap removable studs, which can be purchased in different lengths, while the FG version has twelve moulded blades.

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[edit] Mercurial Vapor

The original Vapors were released in mid-2002 just before the World Cup of that year. The first glimpse anyone outside of Nike got of the boots was in the Nike cage advert (starring Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry and Roberto Carlos), in which a close-up shot of the boots is taken near the end of the advert. The boot was first released in just two colourways, Black and Silver/Red. A Silver/Green variation (worn exclusively by Ronaldo in the semi-finals and final of the World Cup) was released to the public in limited numbers in the period after the tournament.

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[edit] Mercurial Vapor II

The Mercurial Vapor II was released in January 2004 in two colourways - Team Red and Photo Blue. The revised version of the boot differed from the original Vapors in three respects: first, the material from which the boot was constructed was made marginally thicker; second, a cushioned area around the ankle was added; and finally, the pattern down the sides of the boot was modified to make the indentations more pronounced, along with a thin coloured stripe to complement the colour of the boot.

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[edit] MVIII

The MVIII is the third generation in the Mercurial Vapor family. It featured Teijin microfibres which easily conform to the foot and is very lightweight and durable. The boot itself weighed only 196g (6.9oz). It also has a carbon last to give support to the heel and more padding was added to the heel cup area. The original MVIIIs were released in a white/gold colourway, which was followed by Sport Red/White, Silver/Yellow, Platinum/Red, Deep Royal, Dark Charcoal/Gold, Ignite (Yellow/Green), White/Silver, Blue Graphite/Sonic Yellow. A limited edition boot was released to commemorate Italy's fourth World Cup triumph in World Cup Gold/Azzurri Blue.

Towards the end of the 2006-07 season, further colourways were released, including: Obsidian/Metallic Platinum, Metallic Zinc/Tart Orange, Cactus, Silver/Red and Argon Blue.

On 13 September 2007, Nike released a limited edition 10th anniversary version of the Mercurial Vapor, featuring "all the modern technology from the current MVIII combined with the original Mercurial Upper design from 1998".[1]

[edit] MVIV

In April 2007, some initial pictures of what were believed to be the new Mercurial Vapor boots were leaked onto the internet. Not much could be ascertained from the pictures, but they did show that the MVIVs might have a cover over the laces in the same vein as the Adidas F50s. The Nike "swoosh" was also larger than on previous versions. Only two colourways were shown, those being Orange Peel/Obsidian and Anthracite/Vivid Blue.[2] Later in the year, a limited edition version of the Mercurial SL was put up for sale online. Only 2000 pairs were made available, costing £250 (€400/$600) each. This version of the boot is made almost entirely out of carbon fibre and weighs a mere 190 grams (6.7 oz). The shoe is made in one colour: black, with two pink "swooshes" on each boot.[citation needed]

In December 2007, a promotional video was released by Nike, featuring the current world record holder for the 100m sprint, Asafa Powell. In the video, Powell dons the Mercurial SL boots, and sprints the length of a football pitch in 9.94 seconds, before instructing the Nike representatives to "Tell them they're fast". The Nike representatives are then seen taking the boots to a mansion in London, where Didier Drogba opens the door and is told "They're fast".[3]

In January 2008, football boot specialists Pro Direct Soccer released information about the Mercurial Vapor SL boots. The retail version will cost £189.99 and, at this stage, will only be released in an Orange Peel/Dark Obsidian colourway. The soleplate is made of carbon fibre, while the upper is made of NikeSkin, a form of Teijin, bringing the weight of the boots to approximately 210g. The Mercurial Vapor SLs were released on 20 February 2008.[4] At the same time, Pro Direct Soccer released information on the Mercurial Vapor IV boots. Aesthetically, they look the same as the Mercurial Vapor SLs, the only difference being that the soles are not made of carbon fibre but of a fibre composite, increasing the weight to about 230g. The Mercurial Vapor IVs were released on 1 February 2008, at a price of £119.99, and in two colourways: Orange Peel/Dark Obsidian and Black/Vivid Blue.[5][6]

One of the latest advertisements shows Cristiano Ronaldo appearing to outrun a Bugatti Veyron, allegedly the fastest car in the world, while wearing the Orange Peel versions of the Mercurial Vapor IV boots. The most recent advertisement for the boots show Aaron Lennon of Tottenham Hotspur and Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa go head-to-head on a 45 metre track where the speed was based on the fastest to the ball and the fastest with the ball.

A third colourway was revealed on the first weekend of March 2008. Cristiano Ronaldo wore them on 1 March 2008 in Manchester United's FA Cup exit against Portsmouth. This new colourway features a Sport Red outsole with a gold "swoosh". This new colourway was released on 7 April 2008.[7]

The carbon fibre Mercurial SL boots were used in a professional match for the first time in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea, when they were worn by Cristiano Ronaldo. Didier Drogba was also expected to wear them, but instead wore the black Mercurial Vapor IVs.[8]

On 7 June 2008, a limited edition brown leather version of the Mercurial Vapors was released to coincide with the start of UEFA Euro 2008. Each boot will weigh approximately 275 g (9.7 oz).[9] A green and white colourway, as worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, was also unveiled on 7 June, and is due for release on 11 August 2008.[10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nike Mercurial Vapor 10th Anniversary Ltd Etd FG Black/White Football Boots. Pro Direct Soccer (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
  2. ^ Vapor IV's yess believe it Vapor 4's *beware*
  3. ^ Asafa Powell, Didier Drogba. (December 2007). Mercurial SL: Superlight, Superstrong, Supersonic. Nike, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  4. ^ Nike Mercurial Vapor SL FG Orange Peel Football Boots. Pro Direct Soccer (January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  5. ^ Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Soft Ground Orange Peel Football Boots. Pro Direct Soccer (January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  6. ^ Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Soft Ground Black Football Boots. Pro Direct Soccer (January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  7. ^ Nike Mercurial Vapor SL FG Sport Red/Gold Football Boots. Pro Direct Soccer (March 2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  8. ^ Mercurial SL Carbon - Première in Champions League Final
  9. ^ Nike Vapor IV Leather Euro Championship Edition. Pro Direct Soccer. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
  10. ^ Nike Mercurial Vapor IV Pine Green. Pro Direct Soccer. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.

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