Nike announced that it was releasing the Nike Vapor Ultimate Cleat Tuesday. The new cleat combines Nike Flyknit and Carbon V-plate technologies to create a super football cleat. An integral part of the Nike Vapor Ultimate is its Carbon V-plate. Nike introduced the Carbon V-plate with the Nike Vapor Carbon 2014 Elite. It allows for multi-directional acceleration, an important for those playing the game of football.
According to Nike, the studs on the Nike Vapor Ultimate are designed for zero-slip traction. Their pattern allows for “optimal ignition off the back foot, hitting the precision cuts to avoid a tackle, and the explosive propulsion required to make a critical catch.” The plate also features a tri-star traction system that allows for more confident movement overall.
The Carbon V-plate is the first plate from Nike’s 3D printing and testing facility. In designing the cleat plate, 3D printing was crucial, as it allowed Nike engineers to create shapes and designs that they couldn’t produce using traditional manufacturing processes. It also allowed for the rapid creation of prototypes.
“3-D printing revolutionized the way we design cleat plates – even beyond football,” said Ken Link, Nike Football Cleated Design Director. “The process gives Nike the ability to accelerate innovation and create solutions that were not possible within the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes.”
While Carbon V-plate technology sounds interesting on its own, it’s when it is combined with the Nike Flyknit technology, that the cleat becomes truly revolutionary. Nike Flyknit is a glove-like, one-piece upper that enmeshes the foot to provide a more responsive fit, that is strong and durable. Nike Flyknit debuted with the Nike Flyknit Racer in 2012. It was used most recently on the KOBE 9 Elite, Nike Magista and Nike Mercurial Superfly.
“We’ve created a cleat that can withstand the forces generated by today’s athletes on the football field,” said Link. “Flywire and Nike Flyknit combine to create a second-skin, sock-like fit that adapts to each individual player’s foot as well as to his style of play. Our most innovative upper combines with our most revolutionary, proven football plate technology to help athletes perform at the highest level.”
The Nike Vapor Ultimate is available now for pre-sale at Nike.com for $250. Have you pre-ordered this cleat? What do you think of Nike’s continued use of 3D printing within their products? Let us know in the 3D printed Nike cleat forum thread on 3DPB.com.
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
You May Also Like
3D Printing News Unpeeled: BLT, M Holland & Tecnológico de Monterrey
BLT has announced its half year results for 2023 with $2.44 million in profit for the first half year up from a $5.34 million loss last year for the same period....
AML3D Makes C-Suite Changes & Ramps Up its Metal 3D Printing Sales in Support of US Navy
The board of AML3D, the Australian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of metal additive manufacturing (AM) platforms, recently concluded a four month review of the company’s leadership structure, which has resulted...
3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: September 17, 2023
It’s another busy week filled with 3D printing webinars and events! Topics include photopolymers and industrial automation, aerospace and 3D scanning, DIGITAL FOAM and composite 3D printers, biomaterial bioinks, and...
3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: September 10, 2023
This might possibly be the longest webinar and event roundup we’ve ever done at 3DPrint.com—that’s how many offerings there are this week! I won’t waste your time in this introduction...