Verdict from 2 experts and 84 user reviews
7 reasons to buy
- The fit of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite Firm Ground shoe is outstanding, report several review sites.
- A commenter deems this Nike pair to be worth its price.
- The All Conditions Control technology integrated into the shoe upper ensures ball touch and control even in wet weather conditions.
- Several wearers say that this Nike Mercurial soccer cleat’s upper is thinner than its predecessors’; being truthful to the words ‘barefoot feel.’
- A couple of reviewers highly praise the traction and grip of this firm ground cleat.
- A user says that this is by far the most comfortable Nike Vapor model he has used.
- The shoe’s central lace closure remarkably secures the fit, explains a customer.
2 reasons not to buy
- The thirteenth generation release of the Nike Mercurial Vapor belongs to an expensive price point.
- While this Nike pair’s weight is not necessarily bad, it can be a point of improvement as it does not have much difference from its predecessors.
Bottom line
The Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite Firm Ground blows away shoe reviewers as it was released. While the tweaks to the technologies are not that substantial, they still brought the shoe to another level. Experts and shoe enthusiasts were almost at a loss when looking for areas to improve on this outstanding release. Overall, for players looking for exceptional fit, touch, and traction in the soccer field, this model is worth investing in.
Tip: see the best soccer cleats.
Expert reviews:
- 98/100 by The Instep
Video reviews
Good to know
The Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite Firm Ground soccer cleat is one for the player who's looking for that fit and control on the pitch. The pair’s construction creates a sock-like sensation as it does away with hard elements like Flywire. The brand has achieved this by fusing Flyknit with tenacity yarn. This combo not only affords the wearer a soft and comfortable fit but it also creates a closer to the ball feel. This, in turn, gives way to a more barefoot feel. Nikeskin with All Conditions Control technology is also part of the upper. The former allows for precise touch to the ball, especially during speedy play. The latter ensures optimal control even in wet weather.
The outsole, on another hand, holds its own set of innovations. The forefoot plate is made with Aerotrack technology that is designed to bring a lighter feel while featuring microgrooves. The forefoot carries a total of seven chevron studs while the heel area carries four. This configuration is designed to bring explosive acceleration on firm ground courts.
Aside from the mouthful of technologies found in this model, the aesthetic elements found in the pair’s are not to be overlooked either. The outstep features a bold MERC print while the instep holds Nike’s all-famous ‘JUST DO IT’ slogan.
With this Nike model's Flyknit that is paired with Nikeskin, it delivers a tight but soft and comfortable feel. The Flyknit for this model makes use of tenacity yarn. This composition adds structure to the shoe without the need for hard reinforcements like Flywire. Flywire cables were a prevalent element in previous generation releases.
The upper of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite Firm Ground shoe is constructed with a combination of elements designed to deliver exceptional fit and touch. The upper is created with Flyknit with tenacity yarn. The resulting material wraps around the player’s foot, creating a sock-like fit while maintaining a lightweight feel. This composition also allows structure without the use of hard elements such as the usual Flywire. Adding to this is a Nikeskin overlay feature. It ensures precision control even during high-speed play. For wet weather conditions, the All Conditions Control technology promotes control, as well.
The outsole of this Nike model has Nike Aerotrak technology that features microgrooves. It provides a lightweight fit while holding a total of seven studs. The heel area, on the other hand, carries four chevron studs. This configuration optimizes traction and grip on firm ground courts.
Blackout Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite ‘Under the Radar’
The ‘Under the Radar’ colorway of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 looks lethal in its all-black aesthetic. From afar, it looks like your usual low-top shoe; but upon closer inspection, nuances in the design are evident. For one, the Swoosh logo has an iridescent finish which breaks the monotony of the all-black shade. An iridescent effect is also used in the instep and outstep to reveal the words ‘JUST DO IT’ and ‘MERC,’ respectively.
Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite ‘New Lights’
The sky-like look of the ‘New Lights’ color pack delivers a refreshing look to the Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Elite model. The colorway makes use of blue hero, obsidian, and white. The majority of the shoe is blue–from the laces down to a portion of the outsole. The instep and outstep prints create a beautiful contrast using the color white. Lastly, the studs are obsidian.
Other colorways for the pair include:
- White/ Hydrogen Blue/ White
Several athletes wear these thirteenth generation Mercurials. They include Tobin Heath, Christian Pulisic as well as Neymar.