Remember a time when football boots didn't have hi-top collars? No? Well apparently there are still brands out there making lo-cut editions, including a little known Swooshed brand by the name of Nike. They've rustled up a "Tech Craft" version of their Mercurial Vapor XI and it's nothing short of magnificent.
This right here, it's hands down the most underrated release of the season so far. A leather Vapor in black and shimmering silver, no on-pitch support planned – this is the very peak of understated cool. Just a whisper of the words 'textured kangaroo leather' is enough to send traditional boot players in lucid daydreams of dubbin and soft moulding memories, but the Nike Mercurial Vapor XI Tech Craft is far more advanced than that. Maintaining its trademark lightweight design, its the boot that opens up a new dimension of speed for Nike. Leather boots used to be reserved for the heritage market but a leather Vapor is so right it's almost wrong. 
Playing understudy to the Mercurial Superfly V that headlines the full Nike Tech Craft 2016 collection the Vapor XI is joined by Nike's other lo-cut silhouettes, including the Hypervenom Phinish II and Magista Opus II. Every now and again a boot comes through our doors that you can't put down and this is most certainly one of them. Almost too beautiful to wear, and as Nike are dropping them just as full force SG season arrives, we think we'll admire them for a bit longer.
Want a pair? Get them here.
