NIKE MERCURIAL AIR ZOOM ULTRA

When the concept was first revealed at that Innovation Summit two years ago, you'd be forgiven to think you might've seen it on pitch by now, but Nike have been fine-tuning it ready for a landmark year of football. Oh, and you'll have to wait a bit longer to see how they fully incorporate the tech into their football boots, as the Mercurial Air Zoom Ultra SE is a special edition drop with its key purpose to tease what Nike have to come.

Designed completely around the full length Zoom strobel unit, the Mercurial Air Zoom Ultra SE continues to push the boundaries of the game while listening to the voice of Nike athletes. With a goal of creating a one-of-a-kind boot, the Nike team experimented with a few of the best footwear innovations across the company and put them into this design.

Taking innovation from the basketball court, the Mercurial Air Zoom Ultra SE was built around a full-length articulated Zoom airbag that provides a unique underfoot sensation and enhanced energy return. Nike designers aimed to have the Zoom airbag be the focal point of the boot and to achieve this they created a light and airy translucent upper combined with Flywire to properly lockdown the midfoot for a secure fit. The Zoom airbag is also visible and even exposed and touchable in one spot on the underside of the boot.