Nike Mercurial Vapor : speed

The speed range

The Mercurial was born in the late 1990s, worn by Brazilian Ronaldo, and has established itself as the shoe for fast players: wingers, deep attackers, dribblers. The Vapor is its low version, which frees the ankle, unlike the Superfly, which has a high sock collar. Light, with a slim upper and a responsive sole, it focuses entirely on acceleration and agility.

The other ranges Nike

Nike shoes are also available in:

• Mercurial Superfly, the high-top version.
• Phantom, for precision.
• Tiempo, the comfort of leather.

All Nike shoes can be found on the Nike page.

The range levels

The Mercurial Vapor comes in four levels. The Elite, high-end, worn by professionals, offers the thinnest upper and the most responsive sole, with a Zoom cushioning unit at the front of the foot. The Pro is similar but at a lower price. The Academy, mid-range, is suitable for club players, and the Club, entry-level, is for beginners and children. The editions signed by Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior reflect the colours of these two speed stars.

Sole and size

The sole is chosen according to the surface: FG for natural grass, AG for synthetic, MG for mixed surfaces, TF for hard ground and small synthetic pitches with short grass. The Vapor, very snug, fits close to the foot: you choose your size leaving barely enough room to wiggle your toes, without compression. The children's models, in Academy and Club, come in all sole types. Shoes should be air-dried after the match.

Good deals

Good bargains can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24h are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The major shopping events of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the year-end holidays, winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by summer sales and the back-to-school season.

Frequently asked questions

Mercurial Vapor or Superfly: what's the difference?

The Vapor is the low version, which frees the ankle, while the Superfly has a high sock collar that wraps around the joint. The same philosophy of speed: the choice depends on the sensation desired around the ankle.

Elite, Pro, Academy or Club: which version to choose?

The Elite, the lightest and most technical, is aimed at competitors. The Pro retains the essentials in a more affordable version, the Academy targets regular club players and the Club, robust and simple, is suitable for beginners and children.

How does the Mercurial Vapor fit?

It fits closely to the foot for a feeling of speed: those with wider feet may want to go up half a size. Try it on with match socks, ensuring the heel is well seated at the back.

Who made the Mercurial famous?

Brazilian Ronaldo wore it during the World Cup held in France in 1998, launching the shoe for fast players. It has since been worn by generations of wingers and forwards, up to Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

Can you play on synthetic with an FG sole?

Occasionally yes, but the FG sole is designed for natural grass: on synthetic surfaces, its studs grip too much and wear out quickly. For regular use on artificial turf, prefer an AG or MG version.