Nike Hypervenom and the Mercurial on show in Brazil

Nike’s HyperVenom boots have had a starring role at this summer’s World Cup, being worn by the likes of Neymar, Mario Balotelli, Eden Hazard and Wayne Rooney.

The boots have a 3-D textured knit, Flyknit as it is referred to at Nike, for ultimate friction on the ball and total control. They also have laser-cut side panels on national team kits for added ventilation to keep you cool under pressure. Nike have worked long and hard on getting the fit just right, with an agility cage system which locks down the foot without restricting lateral movement. They also include a one-piece design, using thin PU film and performance mesh, which reduces weight and brings the foot closer to the ball.

Nike’s Mercurial boot also has had plenty of exposure in Brazil, being worn by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba.

But what’s the difference between the boots?

The HyperVenom has replaced the T90, although to look at, is more Mercurial than T90, but there are key difference between them.

The upper materials on each boot are very different. The HyperVenom gives the feeling and benefits of a bare-foot touch, thanks to their unique material. They are much softer than the Mercurial upper. They feel like wax like to touch and provide considerably more grip than the speed control texture on the Mercurial.

Nike say that ‘the HyperVenom allows players to create more space’, which means the boots offer you the capacity to turn quicker, therefore lose your opponent faster and give you more time to pick a pass or get a shot away.

The Nike Mercurial is designed to grab onto that through ball, charge down on goal and get a shot in without a defender getting close to you. For that reason, the sole-plate and upper design is centered to enable maximum acceleration.