A modern performance
take on a classic boot design from the Nike Football archives.
"When we first
showed our players the Nike Premier they said to us: 'That looks like a classic
from the archive.' When they put it on though, they realized it's far from
old-fashioned," said Phil McCartney, Vice-President of Nike Football
Footwear, who briefed the Nike Football design team to create a classic-looking
boot using the latest technology and performance insights.
"We
know from talking to players that fit, touch and traction are the three things
that they want from their boots. We define fit as comfort over 90 minutes, with
no distractions. For touch, we look to deliver the perfect touch every time
regardless of conditions, and with traction, we want to give our players the
perfect traction underfoot, on demand. Our goal with the Nike Premier was to
deliver those three areas in a boot with a timeless look," added
McCartney.
Visually,
the inspiration from the boot came from two sources: the iconic 1994 Tiempo
Premier, worn by 10 of the players inthat year's World Cup final, and the first
shoe to ever carry the Swoosh, a 1971 boot called 'The Nike'.
"We wanted the
Premier to have a simple visual design but for it to be bold and,
stylistically, carry a lot of Nike Football DNA. There are players out there
who want a beautiful black leather boot that delivers a great fit and a
ultra-soft touch on the ball. The Premier is for those players."
The
Premier uses Nike's most anatomical football last to date, as also seen on the
new Hypervenom, which helps place the foot closer to the ball and ground for
greater touch. The premium leather used for the upper sets the benchmark for
softness and feel for leather-based boots, and the transitional flex in the
sole plate provides a firm midfoot combined with a flexible and responsive
forefoot. The sole plate's design also provides excellent traction on a variety
of surfaces.
"A
lot of players will see the Nike Premier and be reminded of the early-to-mid
1990s. When they put the boot on and get out on the pitch, they will soon
realize that this is a 21st century product."
The
Premier launches in North America on June 1 and will be available elsewhere
from July 1.
