The "New" Nike Mercurial Vapor 8 First Thoughts & Durability Update

The Vapor VIII launch colorways experienced quite a few problems durability wise, mainly with the tearing of the upper. I've had the chance to test the "new" Vapor 8 and see how they compare to the original.

 

So a few weeks ago I got my hands on a pair of the "new" Vapor 8. I call it the new Vapor 8 because it is actually a little different from the "Bright Mango" and "Sail/Soar/Challenge Red (White)" launch colorways.  With all the durability problems that the Vapor 8 experienced due to the super soft and thin suede finish on the Teijin Microfiber Upper, Nike knew they had to change things up. They did so by applying a leather finish in hopes of increasing durability.





So Nike decided to switch the suede finish to a leather finish to increase durability. The finish is still very soft and makes for a very comfortable experience, but it seems that Nike still haven’t got the durability down. I have only begun to test the "new" Vapors and already have had some durability problems. I have had no durability problems with the studs like I did with my mango pair of Vapors except some blackening since I have worn them on turf once. The cleat is very comfortable and the design is sleek. But the main problems have occurred with the upper.




 My first pair of Vapor 8s ripped the first time I used them on a grass field. The "new" Vapors or the "Version 2" Vapors haven’t ripped yet but have some major scuffing problems. The first time I used the V2 Vapors was on a grass field at camp a week ago. They got some really bad scuffs after about an hour and a half of training. That night at my game I opted out of the Vapors to wear my Tiempos. I then wore my new Vapors today on turf to see how they would react. It didn’t go as bad as what happened when I wore my Mango Vapors on turf a few months ago but it still wasn’t good. I got some very major scuff marks that I've tried to get out but they just won't come off. There seems to be some slight seperation occuruing between the upper and the soleplate, but no rips yet. But from what has happened so far with the Vapor 8's, I wouldn't be surprised to see a rip happen in the near future.