Perhaps the most recognized speed boot name in the world, the latest Mercurial Vapor was released with the intention of taking the crown of best speed boot on the market, and here is how we think it has fared.
Design 4/5 (People will be drooling over your boots and begging to try them on, and a host of world class players will sport them)
The Mango colorway that we received from Nike is possibly the brightest boot ever to be released on the market. It is almost impossible not to spot, and you know they are bright when TV’s struggle to project that color. The new design is sleek, soft and just screams ‘SPEED!’ Although these boots are much plainer then some of the previous Vapor incarnations in design and aesthetics (especially the Superfly’s), they look more classy, and are extremely impressive when you have them in your hands. Overall, great looking boot and innovative design.
Comfort 3.5/5 (Not the most comfortable boot available, but definitely one of the best in the speed silo)
Perhaps the most comfortable Nike Mercurial Vapor to date, the VIII’s produce an incredible amount of comfort when compared to previous Superfly and Vapor models. They are not the slightest bit stiff when wearing them, and are probably softer than a lot of leather boots out there! These boots are really comfortable, mold to your feet really well and could be the most comfortable speed boots on the market, except for one thing. I got the dreaded blisters. Maybe it is just me, but whilst wearing the Vapors I got a lot of blisters, mainly on both of my big toes. Unfortunately, even after months of wearing them, I still got a blister in a game last Friday. That is what is preventing this boots from earning a 5 in this particular category. However, I’m extremely pleased at how Nike were able to fix their breaking in problems that the Superfly struggled with. In regards to fit, these more or less fit true to size, although run a little narrower and longer than the average boot, but not so much as to warrant ordering a size down.
Performance 3.5/5 (There are some performance enhancers that will help some part of your game)
Starting off, the most impressive aspect of the Vapor VIII’s performance is the traction. Hands down the best traction out there no matter what silo or boot it is, the Vapor really does offer unparalleled traction. I’m in love with the sole plate and want to replace it and put it on my adiZero’s and my PUMA’s! You feel a fantastic amount of grip and push when you sprint and you feel so much faster (even though you may not be faster, ah the beauty of the placebo effect!). As speed is one of the best aspects of my game, sprinting is a joy with these boots and it gives you so much more confidence. Nike have done an absolutely fantastic job with their sole plate, so hats off to them!
In terms of kicking and passing there is nothing special about these boots that stands out, however I am a big fan of the shape of the Vapors. The straighter shape when comparing it to the adiZero’s and V1.11 SL’s aid for much straighter long balls that are harder to replicate in its competitors. Even though the boots are straighter it does not compromise the amount of swerve you can produce. The nice clean surface makes for nice passing, and the upper is nice to strike with, and you feel no pain when drilling the ball.
Dribbling and first touch are great in these boots, as they have been with the previous models, but nothing stands out more than usual. Overall performance-wise these boots do a solid job, but besides the amazing sole plate, nothing else really stands out.
Value 3/5 (Quite a good value cleat where you get your money’s worth and it will last at least 6 months, plus a bag is thrown in)
As usual these boots come with a nice string bag, and are at a much more reasonable price then previous models at $219. However, I am quite worried about how durable these boots will be. The upper scratches like crazy, and I mean crazy. The amount of scratch marks I have on my boot are quite disappointing and take away from the nice design. The thin and super soft upper is what worries me, but so far besides the scratches the boots are holding up well, and should last you at least 6 months.
Design 4/5
Comfort 3.5/5
Performance 3.5/5
Value 3/5
Total 14/20 (70%)
Conclusion
Nike have done a great job to resurrect the Mercurial Vapor line. At times prior to this boot’s launch, Ben and I had discussions saying that Nike were out of it, and would not be able to compete with adidas and possibly even PUMA bar the ever impressive and successful CTR360 range. However, we were proved wrong and the new Mercurial Vapor VIII has the right to be named one of the best speed boots on the market today. They are comfortable, perform well and have an excellent sole plate that aids for fantastic traction.
The big question is, have Nike done enough to dethrone the ‘King of Speed’. the adidas Adizero II Leather?
And my answer to that is….no.
Expect a full comparison review and video of the speed boots in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, what do you think of my take on the new Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII? Leave a comment below.
About James
really don’t like the way we’re going..alway lighter boots that last just a couple of months..
Especially when it comes to turf. My F10s outlasted several of my teammates F50s because they’re much more durable.
can you also review the miracle version
Great Review, one question: I plan to buy these soon enough and usually play on astro turf, i notice the blades are quite sharp so would they not snap easily? I see in the pictures above that you wore them on astro turf so would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.
Heard they are very bad for turf. Not only do the studs in the back over-penetrate (causing twisting injuries if they get caught in the turf). But also the upper will deteriorate very quickly on turf, not to mention probably become completely scuffed.
Yea I enjoy the reviews it’s just that it seems like the quality and content of the reviews are equal to that of other sites. I love the site for boot leaks though. I’m still curious to see what the k leather vapors look like and the new top secret Nike Vapor VIII Velo that Neymar was wearing a blackout version of set to be released in November (I have an inside friend at Nike). Yea maybe if you come out with a review a month after the boot release instead of 2 months. It just seems like every time I read one of the reviews on this site it has the same info as other sources.
Interesting how subjective reviews really are. Not to put this review down but I find it interesting cause I’ve always been an adidas guy and never wore Nikes/Vapors/Synthetics. These Vapors though, as soon as I tried them on, fit like a dream! I thought the comfort was unbelievable …. but like I said, reviews are at the end of the day very subjective.
Gotta agree with ale, its a real shame boots don’t last you long, less they’re EXTREMELY well managed boots. My T90 Laser 3′s lasted me 2 years, not sure how long these Vapors would last though.
Boots nowadays I mean.
I bought a bare of the white versions, i can say its definately a huge improvement on the superfly and previous vapour. But is alot less weaker, i had my pair for about a month, maybe a month and a half, then the soleplate its self snapped in half. wish i couldve gotten some pictures before i sent them into nike.
In all honesty though it was really a matter of time, buying a boot like that and when you feel how thin and light it is in store, you know that its not gonna last very long, im just thankful for nike’s great warranty plan they carry on all their football products.
Playing with these on turf will ruin the boots. That’s what’s causing all the durability issues.
why does it take so long for you guys to review cleats? this boot came out in early April and your just now getting to a review? other sites like soccercleats101 and soccerreviewsforyou have had this review out for nearly 2 months. Am I supposed to expect a Predator LZ review in Early August?!?
Hey Michael,
Thanks for visiting the site and for the comment. Any feedback is appreciated. While we do take longer than some sites for some review, including the ones you mentioned, we feel that the quality of our reviews is unrivaled and unparalleled because we take a longer time to do the reviews. We actually did this at the request of some viewers who felt the other sites rushed their reviews and didn’t give as much information. With that said, we are attempting to speed up our review process while maintaining the same standard of quality, and are open to any suggestions you might have.
Thanks again!
Ben
While I appreciate the depth you put into your reviews as a reader, I would rather have quicker, less deep reviews than reviews that take months to come out. Honestly, I almost never pay attention to the durability section of reviews because how durable a cleat is is very easy to tell (at least for me it is). Also, depending on how the cleat is cared for, the durability can differ for different wearers.
I have to agree with Michael here, I have been a daily reader of soccerreviews for a year now and would be nice to get reviews out earlier as I would like to buy cleats at a time when it is first released and there is still alot of hype going on about the cleat, I am sure alot of readers will agree. Other than that soccerreviews is by far quality reading and information.
There should only be one guy reviewing the boots or else us viewers might get confused on the reviewers personal opinion.
Hey Perdo,
Unfortunately, this is highly unlikely to happen. All the Soccer Reviews writers have had a very rich history when it comes to football boots, and we know when a boot is good or not. I don’t understand how people may be confused with the reviewers’ personal opinion. I think you might need to explain!
Well if you as reader are looking for a new boot, you will probably looking for the boots with highest review score. But as there is different reviewers the scores have nothing in common and that can confuse readers.
Hey Perdo,
The scores don’t tend to mean a lot. If you look at my Pan reviews, I rated the Legenda K-2s a lot higher than the other Pan boots. However, the Legendas only earned a couple more points overall than the boots I didn’t really like. It’d be far more worthwhile paying attention to the actual opinion IN the article. Rather than just looking at the scores. A prime example of another website to get rid of ‘scores’ was Soccercleats101, where now they just do an article around their opinion, and don’t score the boots.
I think they still score their boots, look at the tab at the top called “Review Scores”.
yea the reviews from this site are identical to other websites (I like to check a bunch of websites to get different opinions on fit etc. like Perdo suggested) only they just take longer to come out. for example, why would i want to read a review for the Adipure 11pro on May 25 when i could go to soccercleats 101 and read the review on February 20 or to soccerreviewsforyou and read it in mid February? i dont see anything special about soccerreviews’ reviews other than the fact that i see it as a different opinion to give me a better feel for how the boot performs. Just saying 2 months for a boot review is way to long and most times i skip the reviews since all the hype that the boot produced is gone. i wont want to read a predator lz review in august or even july since the new CTR360 will be coming out in a few weeks. All the hype the boot produced will be gone. so in my opinion i just like faster reviews since other sites seem to be getting in the same quality reviews as you guys in 2 weeks as oppesed to your time frame of 2 months.
Hey Michael,
The main reason our reviews take longer to come out is because our offices are in Hong Kong and not in the United States. Nike and Adidas don’t send us the boots till 2 to even 3 weeks after most of the other websites get their boots.
We take pride in the quality of our reviews, and I think it shows when ESPN ask to put our reviews on their website.
We are trying to get the boots as fast as possible from brands, but it is very hard when you are based halfway across the world.
Thanks for your opinion.
Oh sorry if I was being offensive I have nothing against your website (I love the boot leaks) and had no idea until now that your site was based in Hong Kong. I didnt know you guys got your boots in 3 weeks after other sites, I just assumed you took 2 months wearing them. Sorry again.
Hey Michael,
May I add, not all of us are based in Hong Kong! I’m personally based in England, and Ben is now moving to America! What you will always get with Soccer Reviews is honest, unbiased reviews on football boots! We are not a website to essentially ‘suck up’ to big brands just to get products. We’d much sooner provide a proper, genuine opinion of the boots.
There’s no need to apologise either. I’m sure all of the writers at Soccer Reviews want you guys, the readers, to be happy.
Hopefully you’ll all be happy with our reviews in the future.
i’d say that nike are ahead of adidas at the moment: predators and t90s are pretty close, tiempos are better than adipure, mercuirals and adizero equal and there is no direct contender to the CTRs
After reading ll these comments i’m glad i check this website daily.
I bought these and regret, why would I buy the adizero if Vapor done better lol. I love the fit, the upper material and the studs! I can use them in both FG and SG with no slippery issue
In terms of shooting, well with all the boots I have, it’s difficult to defeat the Predator X. But anyway I love the Vapor 8.
hey there… I own a Mercurial Vapor 8 Mango…..after 2 matches and some trainings, probably about 5-6 hours in these boots, they somehow started to ripped (where the soles were glued to the upper on both of the boots). Just to let you guys know that these boots are not that durable. And Yes, I play on natural grass not turf. Now I just stopped wearing them, I will ruin them even more if I do so I’d say Predator LZ or whatever are more durable than Mercurial Vapor 8
You can send them in to Nike they will probably give you a full refund or a voucher.
I bought the acc version of firm ground mercurial vapor viii and after my full training session i saw couple of bubbles and cracks inside the heel stud. Is this normal?