In 2015, the American brand unveiled something that took everyone by surprise: the famous ‘Tech Craft Pack’, which featured each pair of Nike boots clad in exquisite kangaroo leather, lending an exquisite leather feel to all Nike football boots. These weren’t your typical leather boots; instead, the upper was lined with leather, offering the best of both worlds: the precise, unchanging fit of synthetic or knitted football boots, and the elegant, unique feel of kangaroo leather.
The pack was a huge success and spawned a number of successors, featuring different colours and styles; the brand even went on to launch different versions of each of the kangaroo leather boots, which marked a milestone in the current world of football boots.
Leather football boots for everyone
Now, in 2019, the ‘tech craft’ concept is back, making its way to the fastest model and fulfilling the dream of many: to own a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor boots made from genuine leather. The ‘interior’ design of the boot remains exactly the same as the original model, featuring Flyknit 360 for the best possible fit, as well as the centred lacing and the textured upper provided by the Tenacity Yards.
And it is on the upper, above all, that we find the natural leather; this time, unlike previous versions, it covers the entire surface with top-quality kangaroo leather, providing grip, feel and a sublime sensation when in contact with the ball. As this is a modular boot, it is particularly noteworthy that the leather also extends onto the sole, thereby maintaining the 360-degree fit at all times. The only detail that has changed is the tongue which, although it remains attached to the upper as a single piece, no longer sits on top of the Flyknit but is now made entirely of kangaroo leather, reinforcing the boot’s overall design and adding an extra touch of leather to the Vapor.
The colour chosen, as one would expect, is black, with a gold swoosh and gold detailing, giving the Vapor that elegant and understated look characteristic of genuine leather boots. The outsole retains the Aerotrak-technology studs, which remain unchanged, as well as the modular outsole, providing one of the most aggressive traction patterns available today. The chrome finish on the sole completes the boot’s rugged look and rounds off a fantastic design for a leather boot.
And here comes the return of Nike’s Tech Craft – a concept that everyone who tries it loves, and which offers us the option so many of us want: a modern, up-to-date boot featuring the very best technologies, without compromising on the feel and elegance of leather football boots. Will you dare to give them a go?
