Football is, no question, the most popular sport in the bigger parts of Europe. Technology has advanced along with the rise of football, and Nike is always on the run to make the next step in terms of making the perfect shoe. But not only football boots. The technical developments have influenced street style massively. Taking the best out of every shoe, not only football, but also other sports that are executed with shoes on, it is Nike’s mission to adapt ideas from the professional’s shoes to increase comfort and utility for the streets.

Alongside meshes with high traction and spikes for better agility, color also is an important factor. It is ways easier to pick a pass when you can track down your teammate’s neon-colored shoes. From the perspective of a goalkeeper it is a big disadvantage to wear neon colors, or everyone will be able to spot you without even looking. In times where football becomes more and more technical, visibility and camouflage are becoming important factors on the pitch.

Dunk Low Supreme 2008  // Mercurial R9 1998

Created with the insights of the Brazilian Ronaldo, this shoe came with a thinner sole plate to reduce weight while still maintaining stability required. Another revolutionary addition was the introduction of KNG-100 material on the upper, a synthetic material that was stretchy and more waterproof.

The Dunk has shaped collector’s vision in the early 2000s. This special edition of the shoe has applied the colors and some unique stitch details from the upper of Ronaldo's 1998 R9 Mercurial.

Lunar Gato SB 2013 // Lunar Gato 2010

The Lunar Gato was created for small sided games like futsal by being equipped with soft cushioning and forefoot reinforcement. Requiring a similar design, skaters have also found a good shoe with this one. But it still got tuned to perfection by customizing the inside panel ventilation and the grip to make it  even more robust.

Air Max 1 Mercurial Vapor Pack 2014 //  Mercurial Vapor III 2006

Talking about visbility before, the Mercurial Vapor really shaped coloring of football shoes. Originally being silver and volt, the ultra light Mercurial Vapor III came in yellow and black. Atomic Violet and Total Orange was applied to Elite editions of the Mercurial Vapor VI and Mercurial Vapor Superfly II to make it easier to spot a player.

Kobe 8 Mambacurial 2013 // Mercurial Vapor IX 2013

ACC All Conditions Control on the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX made sure that you could play consistently without having to adapt your play style. The upper was wrapped with  a Speed Control texture for friction as well as providing a soft touch.

The Lunarlon-cushioned Nike Kobe 8 Mambacurial is fit for both basketball and football, making a unique shoe that provides speed on every ground.

Air Safari 1987 // Mercurial Vapor Superfly II CR7 2010

Inspired by Tinker Hatfield spotting an old ostrich skin couch in a store, the Air Safari is a running shoe that was also engineered for lifestyle wear. It has become a favourite for connaisseurs because of its very unique and wild design.

Nike was looking for something really special for Cristiano Ronaldo’s CR7 signature shoe, and what could be wilder than an animal print? His speed is something that really fits the image of a cheetah, and if you have ever pointed a flashlight at one (a normal cat works too), you will have seen his eyes flashing right back into yours. They have implemented this too, there is a hidden chevron pattern which reflects light to make you even more visible.

Tiempo 94 2013 // Tiempo Premier 1994

The Tiempo Premier, released the first time 1992, is the star player for Nike Football. It got upgraded two years later with leightweight kangaroo leather. It was designed purely to play, there should be nothing innecessary about it.

The Tiempo 94 is a reinterpreted version, showing off Nike’s success with that shoe, it looks a bit like a trophy. The upper is made of stitched leather, bringing back the characteristics of the Football shoe by the iconic stitch details. The outsole material is natural motion flex groove. I admire the one who has crafted that term.

Free Hypervenom 2014 // Hypervenom Phantom 2013

Ibrahimovic, Rooney and Neymar described a need for a boot that allows more agile play. This one gives you all the space you need by taking away the skin. The Nikeskin is a soft surface that  is covered with a thin polyurethane film and finished with an ACC treatment.

It was clear that this lightweight dribbler is predestined to get transformed into a Nike Free. So they did it and created a shoe that makes you feel more barefoot.

Air Footscape Magista 2015 // Magista Obra 2014

The Obra’s design is about amplification. The unique Dynamic-Fit collar connects the ankle and the lower leg to make them support the foot. This is the first football boot to use flyknit, that means engineered yarns assisted by Brio cables to lock the shoe during multi-directional movement.

Benefiting from Flyknit’s one-piece comfort and ankle hugging Dynamic Fit collar, the Footscape Magista was created to bring this technology into everyday’s life.

Free Mercurial Superfly HTM 2014 // Mercurial Superfly 2014 

Here comes Flyknit again. Combined with tendon-like connections to the heel, this is designed to propel a player forward by using the physics of a slingshot.