Nike “What The Mercurial” – A Celebration of Speed & Legacy

Released date - 2016

Nike ID Superfly IV what the

Introduction:

In May 2016, Nike shook up the boot game with one of their boldest limited-edition releases to date — the What The Mercurial. Celebrating 18 years of explosive innovation within the Mercurial series, this boot wasn’t just another colourway — it was a curated collage of greatness.

Nike Superfly IV What The Combination of boots

A Patchwork of Progress

Following in the footsteps of Nike’s “What The…” concept from basketball, the What The Mercurial brought together 16 different design elements from past Mercurials into one seamless graphic — a stitched-together legacy that paid tribute to every generation of speed. From the iconic 1998 R9 debut boot to more recent innovations like the Superfly IV, this release honoured history while looking unapologetically forward.

The upper featured a kaleidoscope of Mercurial DNA — with nods to models like the Vapor I, Superfly II, and CR7 exclusives — all wrapped into a single Flyknit construction. The shimmering metallic soleplate added a futuristic edge, while the boot's transparent box (another nod to sneaker culture) reinforced its collector status.

A Patchwork of Progress

Following in the footsteps of Nike’s “What The…” concept from basketball, the What The Mercurial brought together 16 different design elements from past Mercurials into one seamless graphic — a stitched-together legacy that paid tribute to every generation of speed. From the iconic 1998 R9 debut boot to more recent innovations like the Superfly IV, this release honoured history while looking unapologetically forward.

The upper featured a kaleidoscope of Mercurial DNA — with nods to models like the Vapor I, Superfly II, and CR7 exclusives — all wrapped into a single Flyknit construction. The shimmering metallic soleplate added a futuristic edge, while the boot's transparent box (another nod to sneaker culture) reinforced its collector status.

Tech Highlights

• Flyknit Upper – Adaptive fit for lightweight lockdown

• Dynamic Fit Collar – Streamlined, sock-like comfort

• Carbon Fibre Soleplate – Featherlight and explosive under pressure

• ACC (All Conditions Control) – Uncompromised touch, rain or shine

Only 3,000 pairs were released globally, making this one of the most limited Mercurials ever made. With each pair individually numbered, it blurred the line between performance product and display-worthy art.

Superfly IV What The Insole and Box details

Players & Performance

Although not widely worn on pitch due to its limited nature, What The Mercurial was a collector's dream and a conversation piece among boot fanatics. It symbolised a time when Nike wasn't just leading the innovation race — they were rewriting the rules of how football boots could be perceived.

RRP at Launch: £250Release Date: May 2016

Superfly IV Carbon Sole Plate

Bootsfinder’s Take

The What The Mercurial was more than a mash-up — it was a timeline of greatness sewn into a single silhouette. For boot collectors, this isn’t just rare — it’s a statement piece. We occasionally get models inspired by this edition, but there’s still nothing quite like the original. It’s a celebration of pace, history, and daring design.

If you ever get the chance to pick one up — don’t think twice.

Keywords

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