Throwback Thursday: CR7 ' Safari" Mercurial Vapor SuperFly

 

 

After a couple of viral videos to hype up the arrival (showing the boots leaving Nike HQ in Portland, Oregon and touching down in the Spanish Capital), Nike gathered their top personnel and some select media in a small location to watch as Cristiano Ronaldo became the first person to officially unbox the new CR7 Superfly II Safari. Seems like it was just yesterday when these boots dropped. Yes boot nerds, this was the first ever signature boot that CR7 debuted as his own on the pitch. Another first for Nike was the concept/arrival of the SuperFly. A concept boot which is what I like to call it...

 

Combined with FlyWire and a carbon outsole the boots were very unique and the sense studs definitely offered a point of difference on the market and how consumers/athletes looked at the outsole of a boot.

However, the SF came and went because the price point and the demand slowly started to stall because of not only the price but how stiff the boot was in general. Crazy to think that at one time these boots cost $400. Nonetheless, back in the day it was a concept and seen as an elite/concept boot that not many consumers had which made the demand high and the boots very unique.

 

Launch Update: CR7 Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII

Messi, David Beckham and Dinho have all had signature boots but the launch in recent years that have taken front row and gave boot nerds excitement is the release from Nike featuring the CR7 Series. 

For example, peep the original release teaser of the first CR7 below...

The previous CR7 launches have been outrageous when it comes to the color scheme but with this release footy fans are treated to a classic black boot combined with a modern blue/pink color scheme.  I am definitely a fan of the color scheme and with the color twist the boots are sure to pop on the pitch. At first glance, the boots simplicity and color scheme give me a OG look and feel which I crave as a boot nerd. In addition, Nike have changed the placement of the swoosh which is on the instep and outside of the boot rather than the toe box like the current Vapor 8.

As always, the CR7 and Mercurial series is all about speed and innovation and for sure style. Boot will fit exactly like the current Vapor 8 model but will feature the ACC technology combined with a Teijin microfiber leather finish. If you have a narrow foot the boot will over a snug foot and with the straight lacing and unique upper Nike’s goal is to provide players with the best lock down affect possible. However, many boot fans which have a medium to wide foot prefer something with the off center lacing.

In addition, many footy fans have been wondering about the infamous logo on the heal of the boot. The logo which I think kills the boot in a bad way is a heart overlaid with an X through it. Furthermore, the heart represents the love of winning while the X represents the hatred of losing. Either way it makes sense because as a footy fan you either love or hate the guy. However, I think the logo is super corny and would have loved if they simply put a CR7 logo on the heal or tongue of the boot.

Boots drop December 1st and because it is the CR7 edition the boots will cost $230.

Looking forward to see how Nike drops the launch of the boots. CR7 himself and Nike have already began to release images of the boot to promote the launch and buzz surrounding CR7’s next boot. 

CR7 next signature boot?

With CR7 being Nike's big name it only makes since to give him his own boot. Last year with one of the most hyped releases ever for football boots fans were treated to the safari release and to CR7's first ever signature boot. If you do not remember the hyped release, it involved a series of you tube clips that showed the travel of his signature boots from PDX to Madrid which was very unique.

From the looks of it these boots still have the spot textured upper but will be released in a black/volt color way which will look amazing on the pitch. Last year selected safari apparel made it to production but maybe we could see CR7 have his own clothing line soon. Here are pictures of the boots, keep in mind these are hand made samples and are not the elite version he will be wearing on the pitch.

What are your opinions about CR7's next signature boot?

Nike Mercurial Safari CR7 Edition!

A work of art, or not so much? Comment on the boots, the release, and cr7

Nike/Cristiano Ronaldo Introduce Safari Print Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II

Nike CR7 Safari - Boots En Route

IMPORTANT UPDATE: They shall be unvieled by nike on October 28, 2010!

This is not the first time Nike Football have launched a flamboyant football collection. In 2008 Nike broke the tradition of conservative football footwear when they launched a bright pink football boot known as the Mercurial Vapor Berry.