The second instalment of the Nike Future Lab Pack is here, but not in the way we’d have liked, as we can’t enjoy them where we should – on the pitch. With the launch of the new Nike Phantom Vision 2 football boots, the same colours and style have also been applied to Nike’s other football boot ranges. This design was based on crimson, but not a basic shade – rather, ‘laser crimson’, a variant of the colour created by the American brand that makes all the boots really stand out when we step onto the pitch wearing them. Today we’re seeing one of those colours again that reminds us of the American brand’s past designs, with the Nike CTR III in its 2012 White/Bolt/Green colourway. These were the football boots worn at the time by Andrés Iniesta, Mario Balotelli and Rafael van der Vaart. For reasons as yet unknown, the classic Tiempo model will NOT be included in this launch.
New Nike football boot pack
We begin our round-up of the collection with the boot launched as part of the Nike Future Lab Pack, which is none other than the Nike Phantom Vision II – a boot we discussed in our review. It offers an excellent combination of comfort and fit, thanks to the Flyknit construction combined with the internal mesh known as ‘QuadFit’.
*Part One of the Future Lab Pack
The new upper retains the essence of the Phantom whilst improving grip and fit thanks to the new layout of the grip elements, as well as the new, much more minimalist collar. The sole remains exactly the same and retains the semi-conical stud pattern, which is perfect for today’s pitches. A boot without a single flaw.
We’re sticking with the Phantom range, but this time we’re focusing on its sister model, the Nike Phantom Venom football boots, which also feature the crimson and black colourway, giving them a truly aggressive look.
These Phantom boots really boost your shot with “Precision PWR” technology, which is reminiscent of the 90s boots we loved so much back then. The rest of the upper is made from very well-constructed synthetic microfibre – it’s no coincidence that they’re the choice of top strikers such as Robert Lewandowski, Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icardi. A safe bet.
The real jewel in the crown
As we’ve mentioned, the Nike Tiempo will NOT be part of the new launch, so this classic Nike boot will continue to feature the same colourway. Moving on to what is perhaps the most striking silo – none other than the Nike Tiempo football boots – as seeing a classic-style boot in these colours always catches the eye. The crimson accent spreads across the kangaroo leather, with black and white details reserved for the back. It’s a look that’s sure to make an impression.
Sergio Ramos’s football boots, or Gerard Piqué’s boots, are a real luxury, as they perfectly combine classic materials – being made of kangaroo leather – with a synthetic heel counter which, as well as making them lighter, provides a very good fit for a leather boot. The sole features ‘Hyperstability’ technology, which, as the name suggests, maintains stability with every step. The quintessential Nike style with colours that really stand out.
And we’ll finish with perhaps the boot that best suits these colours – as you’ll all know, the Nike Mercurial football boots – a look that you’ll fall in love with at first sight and which is ready to make us fly across the pitch.
The Flyknit on these boots is simply incredible and provides a truly superior fit. The crimson design, combined with black, not only stands out but also features details on the sole and the side, where it highlights within a box the exact coordinates of ‘Nike’s headquarters’ – specifically, the penalty spot on the Ronaldo pitch. A spectacular detail. The grip on this boot is incredibly aggressive, allowing sprinters to give their all in every race; the boots worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Mbappé are once again at the very top of the football boot rankings.
And this is Nike’s new pack – a groundbreaking collection that really stands out on the pitch. Special mention goes to the Mercurial, which I love a little more every time I see it, and which is made even more special by the latitude detail. Which one is your favourite?
