Nike has gone all out in improving the, already well-establish and strong, Superfly brand. Cristiano Ronaldo has infamously got his own personalised pair (CR7s), and helped Real Madrid defeat Wolfsburg in the quarter-final of this season’s Champions League. These won’t make you world-beaters overnight, nor will they help you to score the winning penalty in a Champions League final. But from what we thought of them, they may just add that extra edge to your game.
Name – 4/10
We’re really not a fan of the name with this one. We get the whole ‘Mercurial Superfly’ name needs to be continued, but we would have liked a more inventive name than just simply changing the numeral at the end. How many models will it take for them to change the name? Will we eventually reach the Mercurial Superfly XXVIIIs? For us, three editions with the same name is the maximum. Superfly also just sound a bit too juvenile.
Features – 7/10
Two words: flyknit technology. Such a subtle change, but one which affects the Nike Superflys immensely. It changes the football boot from a solid and non-versatile upper, which has been the case with previous models, to a flexible upper whose soft surface will improve controlling the ball from the air.
But let’s get to the most interesting part of the footy boot, the main course. Nobody really cares if Patrick Bamford is going to sign for Villa. All the people care about is who is Mourinho is going to sign? Are Arsenal going to buy a world-class striker anytime soon (no, I’m sorry, one good season does not make him world-class regardless of whether Jamie Vardy is going to Arsenal)? And will Messi ever leave Barca?
We’re talking about the ankle collar. This is revolutionary, and the primary reason why there was so much hype about this football boot before it was released by Nike. However, it is not all good news when it comes to critiquing the collar.
Its positives are that it drastically improves comfort levels. It is better than any other boot on the market at making the boot seem as one with the foot. It makes the Nike Mercurial Superfly IV feel comfortable to not only just wear, but actually play in; from sprinting around to performing intricate tricks or skills. Another advantage of it is that it provides more protection for the ankle, as the material it is made out of is thicker and more durable than simple sock material- which is what would be there in place of the collar. That though, is where a problem occurs. Its durability means that movement when turning can be limited, as the material from the collar doesn’t move as seamlessly as what a sock would do with the ankle. Also, it can make them quite difficult to remove. However, all-in-all it is a nice addition to the football boot, and definitely gives it a distinctive look, which we will come on to below.
Look – 7/10
We gave these Superfly IVs a higher rating for look than perhaps they warrant, predominantly because of the collar. It was a very bold move, and something that we have not seen on the market before. It definitely helps to distinguish these Mercurials from the swarms of other football boots out there which look identical. These look grand and instantly demand attention. Be careful though, if you do end up buying a pair make sure you’re decent with a ball between your feet, otherwise you may be susceptible to looking like a plonker when you trip over your left foot failing to do a stepover.
The basic pattern on the exterior, with the symbolic Nike logo the only distinctive feature, we thought Nike could have done a bit more. Maybe we’re being critical, as too much flair and boots trying to be too extravagant have come under scrutiny from us in the past, but we just feel it is too mundane.
Comfort – 9/10
If you’re one of those fellas who loves a comfy bed, or those sofas which seem to absorb your body into them when you sit down, then these are 100 percent the football boots for you. Comfort is these boots real trump card. The collar, as with pretty much every aspect of this boot, is a main reason for this. It secures the foot in a ‘lock’ style, and ensures that the upper part of your foot is caressed by the hand of an angel… Or the touch of some soft material, but that doesn’t sound quite as sexy.
Pro advocates (who has worn them?) – 10/10
Ronaldo wears Nike Mercurial Superfly IV football boots, that’s all we need to tell you. Cristiano Ronaldo’s feet have these boots on when he plays football.
Value for money – 6/10
Considering that these Mercurials came out in 2014, you’d perhaps expect them to be slightly cheaper. That is why we have marked them down. However, in terms of the technology and the quality that you are paying for this boot, you are getting your money’s worth. It is about what they can do on the pitch, not age (google Andrea Pirlo for proof)!
Final verdict
Overall, we considered this version of the Superfly to be pretty good. It is, however, a mere foot soldier in a longer battle. This unique boot is a tester, a future benchmark that all models after will look upon. As a version 1.0 almost, we were impressed. We loved the immense comfort aspect it had, as well as the typical Nike feel to it.
Agility was hindered slightly, but we are very excited where this boot could take Nike Mercurial Superflys in the future… They just need a re-think on the name!