Nike Hypervenom
The Nike Hypervenom is a football boot that is manufactured by Nike. This type of boot is said to be for traction and agility, designed for deceptive players. Therefore, it is endorsed/worn by players, notably forwards, such as Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Edinson Cavani, Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy, Romelu Lukaku, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Daniel Sturridge, Thiago, Alex Morgan, and Henry Wilkerson
In May 2013, the Nike Hypervenom Phantom was launched. It was launched and designed for the Brazilian player Neymar. The boot is currently in its second version. There is one high end model for the first version, the Hypervenom Phantom; whereas, there are two high-end models for the second version—the Nike Hypervenom Phantom II, which is a mid-cut variant and the Nike Hypervenom Phinish, the low-cut variant.
The boot is available in Soft Ground (SG), Firm Ground (FG) or Artificial Ground (AG) versions in which all feature a glass nylon soleplate. There are also Turf (TF) and Indoor (IC) versions, in which the high end model of these variants is the Nike HypervenomX Proximo. The SG soleplate features 6 removable aluminium studs, in which different studs with different lengths can be used, and 6 fixed bladed studs. The FG version has 12 bladed and conical studs. The AG model contains many circular and hollow studs, meant to have more pressure distribution and trapping air to reduce impact and prevent injuries.
Background
The Nike Hypervenom Phantom introduced several new features from other football boots at the time. It was made to replace the previous line, Nike Total 90 (T90), a line from Nike that has been around since 2000. This decision was met with mixed feelings, in which some say it is a good decision to replace the older line, and the others saying it was not a beneficial idea, as there were not many 'power' boots on the market.[1] The Hypervenom was launched in May 2013, with the Barcelona player, Neymar, the main poster boy for this new line. The launch colourway was black/bright citrus. All boots were made in Soft Ground (SG), Firm Ground (FG) varieties, with the SG version using removable studs. The upper of the first boot has a newly developed material of NikeSkin.
Hypervenom Phantom
The Hypervenom Phantom was released in May 2013. The boot was first known through a Nike commercial "Nike Hypervenom - Deadly Breed". Later on, more commercials will be made starring Neymar in which the video is counting down to the released date of the Hypervenoms. The boot are advertised to be for "fit, touch and traction". The boots are originally released in the black/bright citrus colourway.
The Hypervenom Phantom features a NikeSkin upper, combining mesh webbing and thin layers of polyurethane to create a material that is soft and flexible, All-Conditions Control (ACC) for the same control for any condition, whether wet or dry. The upper of the Hypervenoms is honeycomed-like in design. It also feature a lightweight, perforated anatomical sockliner for low-profile cushioning and has a responsive glass nylon chassis with agility traction stud pattern for agility, comfort and durability. Those who use these boots have said that they are able to move freely with ease and felt comfortable in those boots. However, some argue that it lacks proper tightness that they encounter issues such as roll-over or heel slippage. There are also some who said that the boots are not durable and lasted quite a short time under frequent use.[2]
During the knockout stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, following a 4–1 win over Cameroon in which Neymar scored the tournament’s 100th goal, Nike commemorated this with a special edition pair of Gold/Volt/Black Hypervenom boots. This was also made because Neymar spray painted his football boots gold when he was 12 years old.[3]
In early 2015, the Liquid Diamond Hypervenom was released. It was made to help Neymar "stand out" in a match, to describe Neymar's energetic style of playing and the feelings that Neymar had to his sister was "rare, like diamonds" as stated in a Nike commercial.
In mid-2015, the Hypervenom Phantom Transform SE was released. It features a special upper that changes from black to orange when heat is applied to it. This was the last edition of the Hypervenom Phantom I.
Hypervenom Phantom II/Hypervenom Phinish
Two years after the Hypervenom Phantom I was released, the new Hypervenom Phantom II and Hypervenom Phinish was released. This time, there were significant changes to the upper in terms of design and fit. The launch colourway is Wolf Grey/Total Orange/Black.
Hypervenom Phantom II
The Hypervenom Phantom II is a mid-cut boot due to the Nike Dynamic Fit Collar which is made out of Flyknit said to provide ankle support. As before, it has an ACC upper. It also features a different NikeSkin upper from the previous version. One of the difference was the use of Nike's Flywire technology to provide a lock-in and tightened feel for a cleaner strike.
Hypervenom Phinish
The Hypervenom Phinish features the exact features as the Hypervenom Phantom II, but without the collar. In place of it is a low-cut design and a one-piece upper in which the tongue and upper is fused together. Although the one-piece upper was useful for lock-down, there was issues of difficulty in putting on the boots and in certain cases, the tearing of the tongue.
The change in the upper was met with different responses. Some complained that the upper feel different compared to the older version and did not prefer the new upper. Others said that the change was not necessary and had "ruined" the Hypervenom line due to a different feel.
In August 2015, the Hypervenom Tech Craft boots are released. The boots feature a kangaroo leather upper fused onto the upper of the boots.
In January 2016, the Hypervenom Ousadia Alegria, a special boot made for Neymar, was released. The boots feature a special design made by Brazilian street artist, Bruno Big. It was inspired by the tattoos Neymar had on his calves. "I associate 'Alegria' with the joy of living and playing football, which I love most, and 'Ousadia' in having the audacity to do something different, which people don't expect to see," said Neymar.[4]
Change of upper
Due to the complaints about the new upper, Nike opted to change the upper to the original ones on the Nike Hypervenom 1, effective 29 May 2016.
Hypervenom X
As the demand for urban football (street/cage football) is high, Nike created urban football boots using the same materials and/or design of their pitch football boots. The main difference in this line of Hypervenom is the use of gum rubber for the sole of the indoor and turf design.
HypervenomX Proximo
The HypervenomX Proximo has the exact same upper as the Hypervenom Phantom II. The only difference is use of a non-marking rubber sole for traction on indoor or turf courts.
HypervenomX Finale
The HypervenomX Finale is the high-end low-cut model of the HypervenomX line. However, the upper is different compared to the upper used on the Hypervenom Phinish model. The upper is rather similar to the upper on the first version of the Hypervenom line, the Hypervenom Phantom 1. It also lacks ACC.
See also
- Nike Tiempo, Nike's "touch" boot
- Nike Mercurial, Nike's "speed" boot
- Nike Magista, Nike's "control" boot
References
- ↑ Gauthier, Jim (2013-07-09). "Death of the T90, Birth of the Hypervenom!". Soccer Cleats 101. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
- ↑ "Nike Nike HYPERVENOM Phantom Men's Firm-Ground Soccer Cleat Reviews & Customer Ratings - Top & Best Rated Products". Nike. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
- ↑ "Nike Launch Gold Neymar HyperVenom : Football Boots : Soccer Bible". www.soccerbible.com. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
- ↑ "'Ousadia Alegria' Collection for Neymar Jr.". Nike News. Retrieved 2016-05-02.