If there's such a thing as boot testing season, we currently slap bang in the middle of it. Up next, the small matter of Cristiano Ronaldo testing the next generation Nike Mercurial Superfly.
The biggest release of the boot calendar? It's certianly up there. For many the Mercurial Superfly still represents the pinnacle of football boot innovation. A boot that exploded onto the scene and transformed the industry in 2009 before a brief hiatus between 2012-2014, the Mercurial Superfly is set for its third World Cup when Russia 2018 rolls around. Of course, no man knows the Superfly better than Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain has been spotted testing what's expected to be the Mercurial Superfly VI.
Nike like to launch their summer showpiece around March/April, and with the Superfly V launching in March 2016 in New York, we're on course for a Spring 2018 release as we enter the climax of the European season before all attentions turn to Russia. We're still in the early phases of player testing with Cristiano Ronaldo and Leroy Sané currently the only two players spotted in the boots, but you can be sure Nike have been working on these for at least two years already.
First inspection of Ronaldo's boots reveal a familiar looking silhouette which shares some similarities to the current Superfly V - most notably the sole-plate and stud configuration. This isn't surprising to see when you consider how much Nike shouted about the anatomical plate that was first introduced with the Superfly V, which they claimed was 40% lighter than the carbon fibre plate it replaced from the Superfly IV.
The biggest difference comes in the shape of the collar that features a differently cut shape to what we've seen previously. The upper has also been given some noticeable changes. A smoother material replaces the “Speed Rib” 3D texture of the Superfly V. The raised surfaces we know from the current Superfly have been replaced in favour of a smoother look with lines that travel vertically across the upper.
Most obviosuly, the boots show that Nike haven't taken the Mercurial Superfly VI into the world of laceless design. Flyknit will remain one of the boots key components, with further new technologies sure to be introduced.
Stay tuned as we learn more about what's to come from the Nike Mercurial Superfly VI.
