The Nike Shadow Pack is here, with black Air Zoom Mercurial boots that look like they're from another galaxy
(Image credit: Nike)
The Nike Shadow Pack has dropped to Pro Direct, with black Air Zoom Mercurial boots.
Of course, back in the day, all football boots were black. Sir Alex Ferguson even banned youth players at Manchester United from having anything other than black in the most Model T Ford football philosophy of all time – so these days, a special pair of black football boots is a big deal.
The Nike Shadow Pack takes the original white/red boots – which featured the word "AIR" sprawled across the inside of the boot – and dials them back for something simple, effective and classic.
These are pure black with no other colours except for Nike's trademark Volt shade of green, which can be seen on the soles, rather than the white versions' iridescent sole plates. There are two versions of these Mercurial boots, too, as there are with all Mercurial boots these days – the Superfly and the Vapor.
The difference is in the ankle support. The Vapor is the classic without the wrap around the top of the boot, while the Superfly is the more modern iteration that comes with the added extra. Think of it as a turtleneck for your feet, if that helps.
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Nike Air Zoom Mercurial Vapor XV Elite FG(Image credit: Nike)
Nike Air Zoom Mercurial Superfly IX Elite FG(Image credit: Nike)
There are other Nike products that have been given the Shadow Pack treatment, too. The Nike The Premier III boots are available in white and black with flashes of Volt, while a blackout version of the latest Nike Tiempo boots might just be the most 1990s thing we've seen from the Swoosh in a hot minute.
With a new three-quarter-length "Zoom Air bag" and newly-designed Vaporposite+ upper – which Nike added a "Speed Cage" design to – these boots aren't just pretty faces, either. This is the most data-driven Mercurial yet, with lockdown support where footballers need it most.
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(Image credit: Nike)
(Image credit: Future)
That Tri-Star stud pattern that we were so impressed with is visible, too, enabling players to move laterally as well as downhill, for faster play in all directions – making them perfect for attacking players and speedsters alike. With up to 20% of these boots being made from recycled material as well, they're not just all black but… green.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
