Nike Hypervenom Phantom II football boots review

Just a couple of months ago, Nike released the second version of their successful Hypervenom Phantom boot, the aptly named Hypervenom Phantom II football boot. A lot of anticipation and expectation came with its release, with it being timed perfectly to debut at Euro 2016 and potentially for its popularity to be solidified at the Rio Olympics.

But we were still sceptical, sceptical at whether the high expectations from the original Phantoms could be met. We’d been let down before… The Hangover was a great film. The Hangover 2… Not so much. But well played Nike, you did not let us down today!

Are Nike’s Hypervenom Phantom 2 football boots worth buying?

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Name – 7/10

We have ripped on Nike before for giving their boots slightly juvenile and over-the-top names, but we think that this one is a lot more fitting. Phantom delivers just the right amount of mystery without making them sound too much like the title of a horror movie. Hypervenom makes them instantly sound dangerous and potent, something that a footy boot for a forward needs to be.

Features – 8/10

FlyWire technology is installed in the Hypervenom Phantoms 2 to ensure that maximum stability is obtained with the boot. It maximises the comfort and minimises the movement of the boot from the foot. For instance, changing direction quickly, even with a correctly-fitted boot, can cause the boot to slide somewhat from the foot. FlyWire prevents this from happening, giving this football boot a smoother feel.

A complaint that the original Nike Hypervenom Phantoms had was the heel cut at the rear of the boot. Players had reported that it caused rubbing and even blistering while wearing them. This is, to their credit, now something that Nike have rectified. The boot cut is no longer in the centre, meaning this problem is avoided.

The previous Nike Hypervenom Phantoms also came under scrutiny regarding the soleplate, with people claiming that it was not flexible enough. Nike have rectified that issue with this football boot by making the soleplate out of thinner material. However, this thinner material still ensures that the boot has durability.

Look – 10/10

For those morons, haters, people who just want to watch the world burn who say that these boots are ugly, we say go and have a good, long and hard think about where your life is heading. Nike’s Hypervenoms just look incredible! We rarely rate an aspect of football boots a 10/10, but when the boot fits. The Phantoms 2 come in the original grey and orange colours, something that we liked as not many other models even attempt, let alone pull off, grey. They also come in a white and multi-coloured appearance, as well as a range of other wavy combos that makes us want to build a shrine to the Hypervenom.

The boisterous lower part of the boot looks so fierce with a flame-like appearance. The contrast between the two colours and patterns looks immense and is definitely one for those pacey wingers.

Style – 8/10

Do not be surprised if you see the models wearing these football boots in Tokyo, Paris or Milan any time soon. We’ve already established that this boot is a looker, an absolute ‘worldie’ if you will. They just look majestic, with a long exterior extending out from the mighty collared-heel.

ACC (all condition control) is another feature of the Phantoms, and it is one which adds to the unique style and nature of the model. The 3-D textured upper Nike have given this boot gives the Hypervenoms this ACC, enhancing your ability to control the ball in both wet AND dry conditions.

As we mentioned with our Nike Mercurial Superfly IV review, the collar gives it that modern-looking style. Unlike the Superflys though, the Hypervenoms’ collar looks more natural and ‘in place.’

With the trademark Nike tick no longer on the side, but across the front and the heel of the boot, they have again distanced themselves from older generation’s style. It looks all the more sexy anyhow, and also allows for that explosive design coming up from the boot’s soleplate. It will be interesting if Nike will follow this same format in future football boot releases.

Pro advocates – 9/10

Barcelona’s Neymar is the main football player to wear the Hypervenom Phantoms. He may very well feature for Brazil, as he has done at previous Olympic Games, in Rio 2016, and will undoubtedly wear them then as well – following their runout in the Copa America.

Here is Neymar, the skill merchant himself, receiving his own personalised pair of the Hypervenom boots. As most names suit a person, these Nike beauties just fit Neymar perfectly. He wears them to perfection and can be seen here at the end of the video performing some naughty skills.

The lesser-known, but arguably a bigger player in within the context of her game, Alex Morgan also sports the Hypervenom Phantom 2. Morgan, of course, being without a doubt one of, if not the best female players in the world… So it doesn’t really get better than that.

Robert Lewandowski and Edison Cavani also wear Nike’s Hypervenom Phantoms.

Value for money – 6/10

We won’t lie to you, these are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. You will have to smash that piggy bank, delve behind the sofa and beg your grandparents. But, and it is a big but, this is one of those buys which once you have purchased them, you won’t look back. They will be the best boots you have ever owned, by a distance.

They are pricey, but that comes with every new boot that is at the very top of the range. Nike here haven’t just stuck their brand on an average football boot. They have intensely researched and adapted the first version of the Phantom, and delivered a truly staggering boot.

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Final verdict on Nike’s Hypervenom Phantom 2 boots

You don’t need to read this far to realise that we are a fan of this one. It is very much one for the attackers in the game. These boots have been tailored to affect and majorly enhance agility, speed, control and general explosiveness. If you are a quick winger or nifty striker, and you are serious about football, these boots are an absolute must buy.

A lot of people ask if football boots actually make a difference to a player’s game. In all honesty, some don’t and none will turn an average player into Messi anytime soon. But these will help you bring that extra ball down from the sky, give you that extra yard ahead of the defender and let you turn just that little bit quicker. It is all fine margins, but it could be the difference.

Do not be deterred if you are not a forward as well. These can suit all players with a game based on agility or speed. That could be keepers, full-backs or even central midfielders running the centre of the park.

All-in-all, the technology such as the FlyWire and the new soleplate raises the bar for future Nike models that little bit more.