Are you one of the thousands, who wore and loved the first Hypervenom? Then you are probably wondering how Nike could ever improve on such an impressive piece of innovation. Read along here, as we take you through all the differences between the Nike Hypervenom Phantom I and Hypervenom Phantom II.
When Nike’s designers finished work on the first Hypervenom Phantom two years ago, they quickly realised that what they had created was something very special. Bettering it was going to take immense effort and relentless innovation. Through constantly pushing and building on what was already great, they look to have succeeded with the introduction of the Hypervenom Phantom II.
The goal with the Hypervenom-collection has always been to create a boot for the deadly agile attacker, who through nimble movement and sharp cuts gives himself that extra yard of space to find the back of the net. The key to unlocking this agility was through a boot that moves with the foot in all the right places and flexes in an anatomical correct way.
The first Hypervenom was an excellent boot, which through the soft and meshed NikeSKIN really raised the bar for barefoot football. The material was however completely the same across the entire upper, which meant he boot was not allowed to move as much with the foot, as it potentially could. This was an aspect Nike felt they could improve upon and the upper has therefore seen great evolution, without it losing the essence of the meshed feel and NikeSKIN.
The Nike Hypervenom Phantom II is made with varying levels of thickness and density in key areas, which have been identified through extensive research. This has allowed Nike to make a super supple upper, which feels sharp and breathable, while the NikeSKIN still takes the sting out of the really hard strikes, when it impacts the ball, or an opponent's boot. Incorporated into this upgraded NikeSKIN upper is the equally groundbreaking Flywire, which has been strategically fitted in the boot. The Flywire is a series of cables that keep the foot stable and in place, allowing Nike to really evolve and enhance the feeling of free motion elsewhere in the boot.
One of the more recognisable differences between the first Hypervenom and this second evolution is the inclusion of Nike’s immensely popular Dynamic Fit Collar. Had the Dynamic Fit Collar been invented at the time of the first Hypervenom’s release. we would venture a guess that it would have been included there too, because the qualities it brings to the table truly fit the agile players profile to a T. The heightened boot collar gives the sensation that the players entire leg is at one and that the movements you make run all the way through.
If you flip the two boots around and explore their sole, the stud-configurations and sole construction are almost exactly the same. The Nike Hypervenom Phantom II’s sole is however built from a softer compound, which comes off the bat of some of the incredible player feedback Nike have access to, through superstars like Neymar Jr., Wayne Rooney and Robert Lewandowski. The softer soleplate means that the split-toe construction at the front of the boot, which is made to free up the first metatarsal and give you that initial quick burst of speed when you change direction, is far more effective.
Players loved the Hypervenom, but that does not mean innovation and evolution should stall. Nike are a brand constantly striving for bigger and better things and they are not afraid to make radical changes to bring their boots to the next level. Are you liking the new Nike Hypervenom Phantom II so far and could you see yourself scoring your goals in the new incarnation?