Cleatology – Revisiting the Nike Vapor V in “Risk Red”

The release of the “Future DNA Mercurial” got me thinking about the Nike Mercurial Vapor V colorway that they were based off of. So, I did a little searching and managed to pick up a brand new pair of the original Risk Red’s! I won’t tell you how much I ended up paying for them, but it was an absolute steal.

Released in 2009, the Vapor V used Flywire technology through the instep to allow for a lightweight cleat that weighed in at 8.4oz. What makes them really unique is that unmistakable lace cover. It was a synthetic piece added to increase the strike zone for better contact when striking the ball. It did create a challenge; how do you get underneath to play with the lacing. But, it definitely served a valid purpose by creating that ultra clean playing surface. Underfoot, the traction system was wild, built for pure speed. Nike placed an extra blade on the outsole for increased surface traction. Cristiano Ronaldo, Pato and Robinho were all players involved in the process of creating this cleat.

Along with all the positives and the cool upgrades to this version of Vapor, many will remember these as a boot that caused many blisters. They just weren’t that comfortable on foot. I got reports from friends, who also wear the Vapor V back in the day, that they encountered some blisters after wearing the cleats in a game on day 1. The upper and soleplate were very stiff compared to modern releases, and if you ever put on a pair you are probably familiar with that “squelch” sound when you squeezed a foot into one. And, it was always the type of boot you needed to go up a half size in to get the right fit.

If you are interested in reliving a classic look, and want to spend some time finding a pair, the best place to look is on eBay. As I said above, I got this pair at an incredible price – below $100!!! You just need to take some time to research and find the best deals available.