Nike delve into darkness once more to bring us a new rendition of the ‘Shadow Pack’, which this time includes the new Air Zoom Mercurial Vapor XV and Superfly IX, devoid of almost all colour for the first time since their initial launch.
Doesn’t feel like all that long ago that we got the last Nike Shadow Pack, and that’s because time flies when you’re having fun. Well, that and because the pack’s release was spaced out between the Mercurial Vapor XIV, Superfly VIII and Phantom GT II, which dropped in January, and then the Tiempo Legend IX, which belatedly arrived in late April. Now, a mere three months after the Tiempo drop, we get an update on the roster front, with the all-new Air Zoom Mercurial Vapor XV and Superfly IX taking centre stage, with the Phantom GT II and Tiempo Legend IX also getting unveiled.
Let’s face it, the bright and bold launch colours of boots – the ones that are meant to catch your eye on the pitch – aren’t for everyone, and that’s fair enough. Some people want to stay under the radar and let their play do the talking, all while still enjoying the tech benefits of the latest releases. Brands get that, and that’s why we get black out versions, just like the ‘Shadow Pack’. It presents the first opportunity for those that favour a more subtle approach to enjoy the new innovation-driven Air Zoom Mercurial, in both low cut Vapor XV and collared Superfly IX versions.
Where the last Shadow Pack was complemented by hits of gold, this latest version sees pops of colours capturing the essence of the boots on which they are placed, so for the Mercurial, which comes in an official colourway of “Black/Dk Smoke Grey/Summit White/Volt”, it’s the volt on that signature three-quarter length Zoom airbag – Nike’s first-ever soccer-specific Zoom Air unit – that’s used to express the pure speed of the boot.
Red is used to represent the bold, powerful and controlling characteristics of the Phantom GT II, popping on that official “Black/Dk Smoke Grey/Summit White” colourway.
And finally, the Tiempo Legend IX, which arrives in an official colourway of Black/Dark Smoke Grey/Summit White”, you get blue; a calm and confident colour befitting the nature of a typical Tiempo player. At least, that's the idea anyway.
Shop the Nike Shadow Pack at prodirectsoccer.com
