As we gear up for the much-anticipated summer tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Nike has raised the bar yet again in the world of women’s football. The sports giant has introduced the Phantom Luna, a groundbreaking football boot shaped by the insights and needs of female athletes. This meticulously designed women’s-led boot focuses on traction, fit, and touch – the crucial elements for any footballer on the pitch.
In the course of a demanding 90-minute match, an elite footballer may cover more than seven miles. However, the crucial split-second changes of direction – often dictating the game’s outcome – are determined by a boot’s rotational traction. In response to this challenge, the brilliant minds of Nike’s team of scientists and engineers have brought forth the Phantom Luna. It boasts a novel circular stud pattern near the toes, aptly named Nike Cyclone 360. This innovative traction pattern provides athletes with the confidence, agility, and precision they need to dominate the game.
A boot’s fit is just as paramount as its traction, especially for female footballers. Nike Asym Fit, a new upper design featured in Phantom Luna, ensures a snugger fit around the ankle, based on input from female footballers themselves. This meticulous adaptation is reflective of Nike’s unwavering commitment to enhancing performance by responding to the athletes’ needs.
As the intensity and pace of the women’s game continue to rise, so does the demand for boots that can keep up with the fast, team-focused attacking style. To facilitate quick passes and accurate movements down the pitch, female footballers need boots with larger touch zones. The average female footballer’s foot is smaller than her male counterpart’s, necessitating such adjustments. Nike applied its latest football innovation, the Nike Gripknit, to the Phantom Luna upper, which ensures an optimal boot-to-ball connection. This innovative coating provides a ‘tacky’ feel and is integrated into the boot material, allowing the boot to remain soft and pliable.
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The Nike Phantom Luna is more than just a football boot; it’s a symbol of Nike’s unwavering commitment to championing female athletes. “Phantom Luna is a direct reflection of Nike’s focus on being her biggest champion,” shares Dr Elysia Davis, principal researcher in the Nike Sport Research Lab. “With Phantom Luna, we’re offering a boot that is thoughtfully designed for her with a new circular stud pattern and fit, helping athletes to move with precision and confidence on the pitch.”
The Phantom Luna Elite and Phantom Luna will be available for purchase starting late June 2023.
This news piece is based on reports from the fibre2fashion website.
