With Euro 2020 now a distant memory, Nike look to the future, starting with the Olympics. The ‘Rawdacious Pack’ sees clean new looks for the Tiempo Legend 9, Mercurial Vapor 14 and Superfly 8, and Phantom GT II, ready for their appearances on the pitches in Tokyo.
Having seen the more low-key ‘Renew Pack’ drop last week, Nike shifts focus back on to the big stage once more, wrapping its roster in fresh looks for the Olympics. And the clean white uppers provide the perfect canvas for a reworked Swoosh, inspired by the original and iconic Nike brand logo, created by Caroline Davidson way back in 1971. The wavy line effect that fills out that famous silhouette appears on the all-new Tiempo Legend 9 and Phantom GT, as well as the Mercurial Vapor 14 and Superfly 8, and it follows on from the lightning Swoosh from last year – one of the first times Nike altered its logo.
Headlining the pack is the new Nike Tiempo Legend 9, which was actually unveiled in this look back at the beginning of the month when the next gen boot was first introduced, but now it's available to pick up just in time for summer preseason as part of the Rawdacious Pack. The Legend 9 arrives as one of the lightest Tiempos to date thanks to a redesigned soleplate and refined upper, taking the weight from the Tiempo 8’s 228g (Size 9) down to 207g. That upper retains the essential DNA of the Tiempo line, being constructed from premium K-leather, but it abandons the diamond shape design in the vamp of its predecessor, instead featuring raised textures backed by soft foam pods in key areas where foot connects with ball, allowing for for precise dribbling, passing, and shooting.
Sitting on that white upper is the wavy new look Swoosh, which arrives bordered in a volt outline that runs across the heel, ensuring all focus is upon that branding. A final finishing flourish comes on the underside in the form of a chromed out soleplate. A strong new look packed with summer vibes for Nike's longest serving silo.
For the Mercurial Vapor 14 and Superfly 8, there's a White/Black/Bright Crimson/Pink Blast" colourway that brings back memories of the Mercurial 'Dragonfly' launch look. The almost translucent upper is again dominated by that reworked Swoosh that works its way down from mid to forefoot. The "Pink Blast" and "Bright Crimson colourings are reserved mainly for the soleplate, which features chrome tinges. No tech upgrades here, just a summer-ready style.
Completing the pack is the Phantom GT II, which first snuck onto the radar for a stealthy debuted in the 'Renew Pack'. Now it goes the opposite way, embracing the bright white of the Rawdacious Pack. As a next generation, the changes are minimal, but they're there, focused around a mildly tweaked upper. That sees a look and performance that's more akin to the Phantom VSN, with the raised, grippy texture being reintroduced. As with the Mercurial, the "Bright Crimson/Pink Blast" is restricted to an attention-grabbing cameo on the soleplate.
Shop the Nike Rawdacious Pack at prodirectsoccer.com
