Released date - December 2013
Nike launched a limited football boot collection for the Christmas period 2013 in the form of the reflective pack for next level visibility. The HyperVenom, Mercurial, Tiempo and CTR III made up a four-model collection that featured distinctive white reflective patterns towards the heel area of each design.
Probably the biggest football boot trend of 2013 (both Lotto and adidas released a reflective boot in this year), Nike defined the reasoning behind an iconic white colour theme came from the traditional Brazilian New Year’s celebrations held in Rio de Janeiro, where everyone dresses in white clothing.
Whats the hype?
Each boot takes on a creative new look with Nike incorporating their reflective technology to give the collection an added sense of identity. All four boots are predominantly Tonal Silver with the white reflective blocking that are unique to each silo and inspired by some of nature’s most stealth-like animals with attitudes that match the players who wear the specific models.
A bold colour soleplate and gave each model a final pop to the look.
The animals chosen include a reptile Hypervenom for attack, a leopard-esq Vapor for speed, the Tiempo has a lion for leadership and the CTR360 takes its print inspiration from a bird of prey.
Nike Hypervenom Phantom I Reflective White / Black / Volt
The now iconic Nike Hypervenom Phantom boasts a scaled, reptilian block silver element that represents the deadly nature of the attack-minded players that wear them.
Snake-inspired with a scaled pattern catching the light to create an impressive visual when the floodlights are on, the upper sits on top of a striking volt soleplate and is finished with swathing black Nike Swooshes.
The Hypervenom model was introduced to replace the Total 90 model and is now among the most in demand classic boots around. One of the main reasons for the success of the Hypervenom is the Outsole and the NikeSkin upper, designed for control and speed. Players who wore them included: Neymar, Robert Lewandowski and Isco.
Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Reflective Pack - White / Black / Electric Green
The Nike Mercurial Vapor IX has an electric green soleplate and corresponding heel-liner that provides a bold contrast, complimenting the camouflaged reflective leopard print (that only shows up under artificial or natural light).
This sublime Mercurial adopts the leopard design in homage to the boots speed heritage. Just like the all black Nike Mercurial Vapor IX, the reflective pack Vapor is made from a leather like upper rather than the standard speed (golf ball like) control texture.
Made for speed with a weight of just 185g, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Football boot was worn by players like the boot face Cristiano Ronaldo, Theo Walcott and Mario Götze.
Nike CTR360 Maestri III Reflective White / Black / Blue Gamma SG Pro
Featherlight touch and talon-esque precision embodied the CTR360 Maestri print inspired from various birds of prey joined by baby blue splashes reminiscent of the Euro 2012 Clash model.
The upper of the Nike CTR 360 Maestri III Boot is made from a synthetic Kanga-lite material and features the All Conditions Control technology. The synthetic upper molds to the shape of your foot to provide a comfortable fit.
The striking parts of the new white reflective CTR Boot are the light blue sole and the reflective pattern. The blue Pebax and TPU plate of the reflective Nike CTR Maestri III Boot is designed for agility.
The Nike CTR 360 Maestri Reflective Boot is designed for control and was worn by Andres Iniesta.
Nike Tiempo Legend Reflective - White / Black / Treasure Blue
The Nike Tiempo Legend V reflective pack adopted a lion-esque reflective print and insole graphic that represents the leadership qualities of players who adopt the Tiempo as their boot of choice.
The Tiempo was placed on a royal treasure blue soleplate with the usual vivid two toned colourway replaced by an all white upper with black Tiempo text on the heel. Leather is a superior material and with the Tiempo Legend V they have created a boot, which has the ultimate comfort and lightest of touch, so the boot is perfected for the modern footballers needs.
The Nike Tiempo Legend V Boot was worn by players like Jerome Boateng, Carlos Tevez, David De Gea, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Puyol and the boot face Pique.
Nike Reflective Pack football boots
On the objective of the collection Nike Football Design Director Denis Dekovic said “We wanted to create an intuitive predator pattern to accentuate each silo’s attitude. We used a white-based concealed graphic so that on first look it seems like a straightforward design but on closer inspection you see some of those stealth-like qualities.”
With regards to the effectiveness of the reflective material, you'll have to check that out yourself as Nike didn’t provide the pack with on-field player support but that didn’t stop pro’s getting a pair for themselves…who wouldn’t!
Bootsfinder Comments:
It was a very interesting detail for Nike to have chosen to make the inlay soles in colours matching each boots colour tone. The inspired animal graphics – including a wise bird, the malicious reptile, the quick cheetah and a proud lion – this pack really packs a punch!
The fact that these weren’t a major release and were limited in numbers meant that many people missed the opportunity to acquire them first time round. Reflective details, two tone colour blocks with white as a base and light weight premium materials mean that these were always going to be a classic.
Notes:
All model versions of these are very hard to find, this time the CTR and Tiempo proving the most illusive. Many future models have copied features on this early themed pack and if you can get your hands on them then do it…you won’t find an aesthetic look much better…especially in the summer.
Video:
We couldn’t find an advert of the reflective pack but here’s one showing a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor IX Fireberry and the HV Citrus to give you a taste of what was happening back then (basically the CR7 show).