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REVIEW: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III (Cristiano Ronaldo)

Comment: 0 January 16th, 2012

Nike’s newly-spawned football boot has been raising questions and almost as much attention as the player they were designed by.

The specially-designed Nike Cristiano Ronaldo Mercurial Vapor Superfly III boots blasted into the market with a bold colourway, an even bolder design pattern and a controversial add-on feature.

In general, the boots look as flashy as anything related to Cristiano Ronaldo, especially considering the level of involvement the Real Madrid star/fashion icon had in the design process.  What has had people talking and arguing is the fact that the footwear was constructed with the specific purpose of altering opponents’ perception and causing on-the-pitch visual deception.

Before getting into the more complex parts, let’s begin with the basics.

Design and construction

If we focus on the design alone and for a moment set aside its strategic purpose, one thing we can say is that it is, if nothing else, different.  The asymmetrical design sports bold lines on the right side, and subtle pinstripes running down the left.  While definitely dynamic overall, the pattern, may not bode well for those who go for the more elegant, classic look.

One good thing about the design, however, is that it goes well with the rest of the Cristiano Ronaldo Collection.  So for the near-manic Ronaldo fans who plan on splurging their hard-earned money on the shirts, the coats, and the entire training set are all set on the footwear situation.

Added condition-based flexibility comes from the shoe’s finish which increases ball control in whatever condition.

Despite the design, the red-and-grey colourway is quite impressive and gives a unique but attractive combination.

One impressive technology addition is the pressure-activated Nike SENSE technology that alters the length of the studs underneath depending on the type of surface.  It also has an internal heel counter and a foam heel collar that increase overall comfort while ensuring a  snug, secure fit.  And with Nike’s Vapor Traction system, the studs ensure consistently excellent traction, burst and acceleration throughout the game.

The boot also boasts of thin but strong nylon fibres that secure the foot, while the Flywire technology increases support, ball sensitivity, and foot position, while maintaining impressive weight.  It also cuts down the slippage while also helping ensure that the foot stays in place.

“Visual deception”

Now we move on to the factor that has people talking.

Nike claim that the Superfly III’s unique design helps increase the effects of Ronaldo’s footwork not by improving his performance, but by tricking a defender and confusing his eyesight to lose track of the striker’s direction.

‘The movement of feet is something a lot of players are looking to see,’ Andrew Caine, Nike designer, said in an interview with ThePostGame.com.

‘If you are a defender looking at Cristiano, you are going to visually see which way his body is going to move to combat him.  So the idea of having a play on the visual makes it a little bit more difficult to understand and read the body’s moves to see where he will go.  Visual deception is the play on this one.’

The patterns on either side of the boot are meant to make the wearer’s feet look slightly different depending on the viewing angle, distracting the defender and shaking their judgment on which way the wearer is going.

We admit that this is a smart tactic that could in most instances actually work.  But as to whether or not such intentions are considered cheating, that’s the trickier part.

One could judge this from a number of factors, but maybe at the end of the day, officials banning the shoes during official games would not be a surprise.  There are in fact sound arguments on why it would be considered as an unneeded, perhaps slightly illegal (game-wise) accessory.

If it were up to us, however, Ronaldo fans who want to emulate the striker’s moves and effectiveness would very well be thrilled to have a pair to wear in neighbourhood matches.  But for official FIFA-sanctioned games, it would be best to opt for a different pair, especially if the wearer will be Ronaldo himself, whose footwork is already enough to fool even the sharpest eyesights.

If there’s any blunt trickery evident in this shoe, it’s the price.  At £280, this shoe had better do everything that it does, plus actually transform the wearer into Cristiano Ronaldo himself.  Otherwise, it’s just an expensive boot with a less-than-excellent design.

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