Ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Nike is unveiling the most advanced soccer boot it’s ever made specifically for female feet.
The Phantom Luna arrives after years of Nike scientists and engineers studying rotational traction. Swift changes in direction are pivotal to the sport, so Nike designed a new circular stud pattern near the toe to provide an optimal level of resistance. The idea is to allow its wearer to plant, pivot, and push off in a clean and fluid motion — or, as one player put it, to be “grippy, but not too grippy.”
Brazil National Team player Debinha said in a press release: “I love that Nike is always innovating to serve athletes like myself. The new stud pattern on Phantom Luna has really great grip, which is so important for cutting and moving up the field quickly. When I stop, start, or change direction, I feel secure and confident.”
Although traction spearheaded the development, the Phantom Luna also places an emphasis on fit and feel. For the former, Nike created AsymFit, a higher-cut collar based on female anatomy and preferences for snugness. The front cuff is lower than the rear, which bolsters ease of entry, and a curved shape covers the malleolus, which are the hammer-head like bumps on either side of an ankle. The heel seam is also set asymmetrically to both reduce break-in time and irritation on the Achilles.
Because women’s feet are smaller than men’s on average, Nike wanted to create bigger touch zones for controlling the ball. The Phantom Luna utilizes Nike Gripknit in this bid, and the tech brings a “tacky” coating directly into the knit to maintain flexibility while also helping to keep out moisture during wet conditions. The knit is raised in a striped, horizontal pattern on lateral side near the toe. On the medial, the striping is applied vertically and is targeted more at midfoot.
The Phantom Luna will debut with a primarily white upper and an iridescent sole unit that gives way to orange to highlight the Nike Cyclone 360 pattern underneath the toe. Within that circle is a special cyclone logo created using three Swooshes. A black Swoosh with orange trim runs vertically down from the lateral collar, while "Phantom Luna" text at the heel is placed diagonally and mirrored across the two boots.
The Nike Phantom Luna will release in late June through Nike's website and select retailers. Coming in women's sizing, the retail price has yet to be announced. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Nike Phantom Luna (W)
Ian Servantes is a writer and editor based out of Brooklyn. He's previously covered fashion, sneakers, and pop culture for outlets including Input, Highsnobiety, and Complex.
