Nike Superfly 10 presents another milestone for the Nike Mercurial line, incorporating the Zoom Airbag that positively impacted basketball and running shoes. But the new-generation Mercurial are more than just the inclusion of the Swoosh brand’s patented technology. They have re-engineered the structure and material from top to bottom to give their own updated version of responsiveness, lockdown, and speed.
- 2024 Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite Review
- Nike Mercurial Vapor Review (same without collar)
- Nike Mercurial Pro
- Cheaper Mercurial Superfly Academy Review
- Club Mercurial Superfly
- Previous Generations
Nike make their Superfly 10 in four different levels, Elite as worn by professionals, as well as Pro, Academy and Club tiers. Each boot comes with different sole options suited to different pitches.
2024 Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite Review
For this generation, Nike has decided that the best way forward is to look back at what has already worked for them, both in the past and present. And that means that the Superfly 10 is full of tech that is already known and has been proven to be effective and not a gimmick. But will this mashup of Nike technologies work altogether in favour of the Superfly 10, or are they a jarring mix that lose the boot’s identity in the long run?
| Model | Quality | Pitches | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mercurial Superfly Elite |  Gripknit+AtomKnit upper with Flyknit DFAir Zoom Outsole |  |  >> Get Elite Mercurial Superfly 10 at Nike |
Gripknit and AtomKnit Upper
Yes, the Mercurial Superfly is back as a knitted speed boot. You’ll have to go back to the ever-popular Superfly 7 for that Flyknit experience. This time around, it’s not just Flyknit that you’ll get from the upper. Above you’ll see that the upper has a slanted seam along the sides to separate the vamp and the quarter. The former has the Gripknit material and the quarter has AtomKnit. Let’s just say first of all that I find the overall package truly thin and pliable, so much so that it makes the previous generation (not to say that the Superfly 9 is on its own) relatively stiffer. AtomKnit is there to provide the counter balance of holding up the structure and responsiveness. And it does so in sufficient levels, though arguably not on heights reached by synthetic-based football boots.
Ball touch is very direct and raw, as expected given that the upper is now 30% thinner than the Vaporposite+ material of the previous generation. More than the ball touch, I find it intriguing that the Mercurial has incorporated Gripknit to give the Superfly 9 that bit of an edge in ball grip versus its competitors. It’s thinner and not as sticky as the Phantom GX, I should say. And I think that’s a good thing for the Mercs as you would like the boot to maintain its distance from the Phantom, lest it takes a bit of that GripKnit spotlight from its sister silo or have the upper dominate the discussion instead of the vaunted underfoot Nike technology.
Air Zoom Outsole
If you’re coming from the Superfly 9, then the changes on the upper are surely going to take your attention. But the feature presentation remains the Air Zoom technology, which I think is still unique and incomparable with the advent of the Lightstrike in the adidas F50. It provides that cushioned sensation that reduces the grind and smoothens the transition of each step. The bounce is noticeable but not to the point that it feels like an added bulk, probably because it is a strobel and sits on a cavity on the outsole itself. It also helps from a responsiveness standpoint that the Zoom airbag no longer has flex grooves and that the actual soleplate has some snap. The spring back is not as strong as that from the Ultra and the F50+, but I believe it’s just about right to fully complement Air Zoom.
Stud-wise, Superfly 10 is just plain aggressive thanks to the blades on the hindfoot and the return of the chevrons on the midfoot. One look and you’ll know this is fantastic for the short natural grass, but I do have doubts about its adaptability for synthetic pitches. There’s also this wave-like pattern from the series of cascading studs on the Air Zoom window that not only adds more to the traction but also helps in dispersing stud pressure. Just keep in mind that some still do have a bit of stud pressure, mostly around the studs on the edges.
Fit and Feel
Going back to the upper, I believe it’s the fit and feel that has been greatly changed, possibly for the best in terms of accommodating more foot width. The last still leans on narrower side, but my wide feet still have a nice sculpted feel without any cramped sensation thanks to the natural give of the knit material. I rank this as the most comfortable to wear among all Superfly generation releases. There might be some decrease in medial and lateral stability because of how soft Gripknit and AtomKnit is, but the close fit even for my wide feet completely offsets it. It also helps that the Superfly 10 is true-to-size, which means that the upper’s natural stretch really gives the Mercurial some versatility to adapt to wider foot shapes this time around. The Mercs have trended toward this kind of fitting these past few generations, but I can make the argument that it’s in this release that the accommodation of wider profiles have fully crystallised.
I don’t expect the Superfly 10 to be chosen by someone looking to for a somewhat protective boot, as clearly this one has not. Get a stud on top of your foot, and this boot certainly does not do much in standing on its way. But what I expect the Superfly 10 to be bought for, apart from all the experience already mentioned above, is its lightweight properties. Not only is it sock-like when putting a pair on, but it also feels that way because of unburdened the feet are in carrying a load.
Lockdown is greatly assisted by the heel. I am one with those who thinks the padding there has been optimised to make sure there’s just enough of it to secure that part of your foot in place. A thin pair of grip socks should do the trick if you want to counter that slight internal slippage you might encounter because of the give on the upper.
Conclusion
The only concern for the Superfly now is that it seems to have moved on from one of the Mercs longstanding identity of being a truly snug, in-your-face tightness fit. The reality is that the Superfly 10, to my mind at least, has done an excellent job at having a close but nice fit. I might miss the responsiveness of past Superflys coming from their aggressively locked-in foot wrap and synthetic material, but the significant increase in comfort levels in this boot totally makes up for it. I can also say that the combination of the Nike technologies is executed in such a way that each is well-optimised and that they perform into one coherent unit. I would agree then that Superfly 10, despite not introducing something new as expected from the Mercurial line, has perhaps moved the silo positively forward by optimising what has already worked.
Your Superfly Questions Answered:
- Is the Nike Mercurial Superfly good for wide feet?
The Phantom remains the best Nike option for those wide foot. But unless we are talking about those that are on the extreme scale, the Superfly now is a lot more forgiving and accommodating.
- Who wears Mercurial Superfly?
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Jadon Sancho, Darwin Núñez, Sam Kerr, Ada Hegerberg all wear the Nike Superfly 10 boots on pitch
- Is the Superfly good?
As the focus for Nike as their best boot for speed, yes they are good. Whether you get the Elite, Pro, Academy or Club changes how the Superfly rates, but then the price drops as you step down too.
Nike Mercurial Pro
| Model | Quality | Pitches | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Nike Mercurial Pro |  Flyknit upperLimited Zoom Air Tech |  |  >> Get Mercurial Superfly 10 Pro at Nike |
 Mercurial Vapor Pro Nike Jr | Full Flyknit upper | |  >> Get Mercurial Vapor 16 Pro Kids at Nike |
The thing about the Pro is that it is a full Flyknit upper, so on that note expect to have a sock-like sensation. Flyknit simply makes it premium and feel like the Elite of older generation knitted Mercurials. With that said, I do feel that those who are looking to get the Gripknit tech on a lower price point will be left disappointed. In fact, the thin PU coating even smoothens the upper somehow and might cause the ball from slicking away.
I could say that the mantra of the Pro is comfort above all else. The basis for that is the Flyknit upper does not have the high-tenacity yarns that provide the balancing structure for the Elite. And so while the upper feels nice on-feet, the lockdown and responsiveness are decreased a bit (especially when you factor in the wider cutout on the heel). There’s also that additional width relative to the Elite’s shape.
Regarding the Air Zoom technology, it is limited to the heel and is nowhere near the cushioned sensation that the 3/4-length Zoom Airbag delivers. The good thing is that the Pro soleplate in turn is a bit more responsive and retains the chevron and blade stud configuration.
Cheaper Mercurial Superfly Academy Review
The Superfly Academy is a cheaper option for the Mercurial Superfly compared to the Elite version worn by pros like Ronaldo, Sancho and Mbappe, but it still has lots to offer the amateur player who wants to wear a cheaper boot that looks the same as their idols.
| BOOT | DESCRIPTION | SOLE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Neoprene fabric for the collar and pliable Nikeskin mesh for the upper; FG and AG playability plus Zoom heel unit; Volt yellow colourway from Mad Voltage Pack, Nike’s player-wide release for the start of the 2024/25 UCL |  MG – Mix Grass & Artificial |  >> Get Academy Superfly 10 MG at Nike | |
 Nike By You | Design your own budget pair of Mercurial Superfly, pick your own colour combinations & add personalisation |  MG – Mix Grass & Artificial |  >> Get Academy Superfly 9 MG at Nike | |
 | Better suited for longer synthetic grass playing surfaces |  AG – Artificial Grass |  >> Get Academy Superfly 10 AG at Nike | |
 | Anti-clog technology prevents mud from sticking on your outsole on wet pitches |  SG – AC Soft Ground |  >> Get Academy Superfly 10 SG at Nike | |
 | Designed for extremely short artificial grass; comprised of extremely short rubber studs that are just enough to prevent you from slipping |  TF – Turf |  >> Get Academy Superfly 10 TF at Nike | |
 | Rubber outsole provides optimal traction for flat surfaces, be it on the street or indoors |  IC – Indoor Court |  >> Get Academy Superfly 10 IC at Nike | |
 | Nike produces Kids sizes for the Superfly Academy, with child friendly features like the laceless closure and pull tabs |  KIDS – Child’s Size |  >> Get Academy Superfly 10 Kids at Nike | |
Things to Know
- Costs £85
- At the time of writing, being offered alongside the Academy Phantom Luna/GX 2 and the Academy Tiempo Legend 10
- Competes with the likes of adidas F50 League and Puma Ultra 5 Match
- Considered as the most popular takedown courtesy of the popularity of the Mercurial line
Upper and Fit Profile of the Superfly Academy
I must say first and foremost that the mesh-based synthetic Nikeskin is significantly more pliable and less structured than that of the previous Academy Superfly. It does not have that sticky sensation but the chevron texturing at least gives the upper multiple friction points for that ball grip element. The upper is thin and therefore you can expect a barefoot-like contact with the ball. I think Nike has switched the collar as well to be a more relaxed fabric, which I believe might be related to keeping the sock-like feel of current generation of the Superfly.
I feel that this generation of Superfly Academy is more comfortable and better fitting, and does a decent job of giving you a preview of what to expect from the Elite model should you decide to go for it. It maintains that narrow-fitting bias and might cause some challenge for extremely wide feet. But it must also be said that Superfly 10 Academy somehow does forgive a bit of width to appeal to more audience. Lockdown heel is also improved, as it has a shaping and padding that more or less is similar to the elite level. Sensation is also enhanced because of the smooth lining material as opposed to the synthetic leather material on the replaced Superfly Academy model.
The Elite is noticeably lighter, but that is not to say that Superfly Academy is not a lightweight boot. In fact, compared to its competitors, it is one of the lightest at its price point.
Academy Superfly Studs and Outsole
Like in the Superfly 9, Zoom Air is limited to heel in the Superfly 10. You can feel it if you really pressed on your heel. As most of the time you on your toes, I think the positioning is less than ideal. And because of it, I think the only time it can make its presence felt is when you are in a relaxed standing position and start running around.
When it comes to the soleplate itself, it still has surprising amount of responsiveness left despite being on a takedown level. But perhaps because of the softer upper, the outsole also falls on the flexible side. While Nike labels it as an MG tooling, I might opt for an actual AG option should I play more on artificial grounds just because the chevrons are just too clingy. The conicals do lessen the aggressiveness of the traction, but still aggressive nonetheless and just better suited to FG.
Final Words for the Superfly Takedown
The Superfly Academy is a perfect example of simply using cheaper materials to offer a budget option without sacrificing much of that boot experience that characterises its parent Elite variant. That alone is reason enough to consider it as the best boot of its price point. Be sure to get it at true-to-size and only size up if you think you need more space for your foot’s width.
Children’s Mercurial Superfly 10 Academy FG
Kids Academy this version in Nike Jr sizes applies to Younger and Older Kids, these boots lack the 3/4-length Zoom bag and limit the Air unit to the heel of the soleplate, but interestingly are laceless making them easy to get on and off and something unique with Nike boots.
Club Mercurial Superfly
| Club Model | Quality | Pitches | |
|---|---|---|---|
Mercurial Superfly Club |  Textured Synthetic materials and textile collarMultiground plastic soleplate |  |  >> Get Mercurial Superfly 10 Club at Nike |
The Superfly Club is as basic as it gets. It’s comprised of trophy synthetic upper and a plastic MG soleplate without the Zoom Air bag in any shape or form. The boot shape is very generic and the fabric collar has a flimsy feel to it. I think that the Club is perfect for beginners as they are just trying to get acquainted with the experience of wearing a studded sports footwear. Club is also suitable for the casual player who simply wants to enjoy football with his friends and does not really need the best boot out there. Getting to own a boot with muti-surface warranty also gives the Club some economical value for relishing casual, non-competitive football.
Previous Generations
The original Superfly was released as the Mercurial Vapor Superfly in 2009. The silo has come a long way since then in establishing itself as one of the popular speed boots in football. Let’s see how we got to where we are by taking a brief walk down the memory lane and remembering each generational release of the Mercurial Superfly.
Mercurial Superfly 9 (2022)
Technically not the first to bring Zoom Air to the Mercurial, but the Superfly 9 arguably had been the first successful attempt to implement the tech into the silo. Nike partnered it with a Vaporposite+ upper that was inspired by the cut-out Roman sandals. Superfly 9 launched with the white with red Disruption colourway.
Mercurial Superfly 8 (2021)
The 2021 Mercurial Superfly was the 8th generation of the brand’s popular silo, the original release was the Dragonfly, with all the individual aspects of the boot highlighted in different colours and numbered, they were followed shortly by the red Spectrum pack.
Mercurial Superfly 7 (2019)
The 7 were released in July 2019, high-tenacity yarns reinforced the Flyknit upper for a soft yet well-structured boot, and an Aerotrak arrow spine on the soleplate made them very responsive and fast-feeling. These included feature colourways like the white Mercurial Dream Speed III with black accents, the pink Mbappe Rosa taking inspiration from the Berry Vapor IV, and the bright blue Sancho SE11. Regular releases included the orange-yellow Daybreak Superfly, shiny chromic Neighbourhood boot, and the flashy crimson Future Lab.
Mercurial Superfly VI (2018)
Nike introduced the Superfly 6 on February 7, 2018, it was the first Superfly to have a split-sole construction and to have the Flyknit yarns coated with ACC rather than having the ACC on top of the upper. The release of the Superfly 360 came with the Born Mercurial orange colourway pack, designers Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones had their respective takes of an orange Superfly 6, with the former designing his with eye-catching circles and the latter with a safari-skin graphic. Released in the year of a World Cup, Nike included them in the Just Do It pack dedicated for the 2018 tournament; the Just Do It dressed the boot in a pearlescent white accented by orange hues.
Mercurial Superfly V (2016)
The Superfly 5 debuted on May 17, 2016 under the Spark Brilliance football pack; the launch colourway had a red-purple split, black accents radiating from the collar, heel, and speed ribs adorns the boot. A Flyknit boot that had textured Speed Ribs wrapping around the upper. CR7’s Chapter 5: Cut to Brilliance, Chapter 4: Forged to Greatness, and Chapter 3: Discovery were all based on the five’s template.
Cut to Brilliance displayed a multi-coloured graphic of diamond cuts on a grey upper while the Forged to greatness had a fiery orange base a silver top with a metallic tone. Discovery’s colours reflected his days with Sporting Lisbon. Lock In, Let Loose combined yellow and black in a Superfly 5 and the Fire and Ice Pack had the boots in red and blue colours to be worn by players depending on their club’s kit.
Mercurial Superfly IV (2014)
The Superfly 4 saw Nike Flyknit for the first time on the Mercurial range and brio cables on the sides of the boot connected the laces to the sole and acted like slingshots to propel the player forward. Once again, Ronaldo dominated with his first Chapters releases, named Savage Beauty and Natural Diamond. The IV launched on April 25, 2014, and the debut colourway became part of the pack for the World Cup that year.
Some of the distinct colourways included the Urban Lilac in the Liquid Chrome Pack, the Hyper Pink of the Lightning Storm Pack and the Bright Crimson of the Intense Heat Pack. Superfly 4 also brought the What The Mercurial which combined popular Mercurial colourways into one mashed up boot.
Mercurial Superfly III (2011)
Superfly 3 were released in April 2011, they were more of a cosmetic update to the Superfly 2, the boot debuted with a violet upper with a white Swoosh and tonal heel. Alongside the launch colourway was a CR7 exclusive black-on-black safari print with yellow accents.
A more streamlined purple Superfly 3 was released later that year in the form of the Court Purple/Metallic Luster-Magenta. It was also in late 2011 that another CR7 signature colourway appeared; with a red pinstripes and black block stripes combination on a grey upper.
Mercurial Superfly II (2010)
Nike launched the Superfly 2 on February 24, 2010; introducing the Nike SENSE studs that expanded or retracted depending on pressure, weight, and surface condition. The first Superfly 2 had violet poppy/obsidian/orange colourway. This Mercurial generation gave CR7 his first signature boot and arguably one, if not the most iconic Ronaldo colourways; the Safari print, Nike would remake those in 2020 to celebrate ten years since the original boots.
A distinct feature of the Superfly 2 was the diamond cut-like graphic on the medial side. The Superfly 2 had a large orange or black Swoosh located on the toe box and moving towards the lateral side. The colours on each side would usually be different, like the cactus/white/anthracite and the Voltage Cherry/Obsidian/Silver.
Mercurial Vapor Superfly (2009)
Nike unveiled the Superfly 1 in February 2009. It was the boot that made Cristiano Ronaldo the face of the Nike Mercurial. The first edition of the Vapor Superfly featured an ultra-thin Teijin synthetic reinforced by Nike Flywire cables for lockdown and structure. It also introduced a carbon fibre soleplate.
The original max orange/abyss/metallic platinum colourway was able to debut on the field but not on retail, prompting Nike to remake the colourway 11 years later with the Future DNA Mercurial Vapor 13, the boots ultimately debuted on retail in black with a volt yellow Swoosh.
