Mercurial Cosmic

Nike continues to cement its reputation for speed-driven innovation with the release of the Air Zoom Mercurial ‘Cosmic Speed.’ Following the success of the Dream Speed series, the latest Mercurial line doesn’t break new ground on the tech front but leans heavily into the brand’s established identity with a visually striking design. The boots, worn by speedsters like Vini Jr., Lauren James, Salma Paralluelo, Ada Hegerberg, and Sam Kerr, deliver a familiar promise: optimized performance for the game’s quickest players.

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At first glance, the "Gold/Black" colorway seems straightforward. But as with most Mercurial designs, there’s more beneath the surface. The shimmering upper, packed with graphics, shifts in appearance depending on the angle, offering a visual spectacle that goes far beyond simple black and gold. The chromed-out soleplate and unique upper create a dynamic, multi-color effect, achieved using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)—a vacuum-based process that applies thin layers of metal to fabric. The result? A finish that looks almost alive with shifting hues.

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While there’s nothing groundbreaking in terms of new technology here, the Cosmic Speed series sticks to its core—celebrating speed. Like the Dream Speed series before it, these boots are all about paying homage to the fastest players on the pitch, making them a solid, if not entirely surprising, addition to Nike’s speed-centric lineup.

Expect to see these boots lighting up pitches soon—maybe even on the feet of Kylian Mbappé, who seems like a natural fit for this new release.