adidas X vs. Nike Mercurial: Which is better?
Swoosh or Stripes? In this crazy footballing world, allegiance can mean everything.
You’re either City or United, FIFA or PES, and when it comes to speed boots, you’re usually adidas X or Nike Mercurial.
We’re here to dive into the detail of these incredible silos, giving you the background of both and helping you to choose the best for your game.
That means pros and cons, plus all of the alternatives in colour, price and surface type are on the table. Like Casemiro in a 50/50, we’re not holding anything back.
It’s the battle of adidas X vs Nike Mercurial, who comes out on top? Let’s find out…
adidas X: an intro
The adidas X debuted in 2015 and has since become one of adidas’ best football boots.
It was built as a replacement for the super popular F50 range, which ran from 2004-2015. Hidden lacing, anyone?
Since 2015, the X range has moved through a number of updates. From the plainly-named ‘X’ labelled by release year from ‘15 through to ‘19 (2015-2019), to X Ghosted (2020), X Speedflow (2021) and finally, the X Speedportal (2022).
The X is adidas’ flagship ‘speed’ boot, containing the most lightweight tech and feathery feel to suit the quickest of players.
Premier League and Egyptian superstar Mo Salah has long been the poster boy for the adidas X range. A fitting figure, given his penchant for explosive acceleration.
Oh, and it would be silly of us not to mention a certain Lionel Messi wore them whilst hoisting the 2022 World Cup trophy aloft.
Nike Mercurial: an intro
The Nike Mercurial has a much longer history than the adidas X. Landing on pitches way back in 1998.
Built with none other than R9 himself in mind (original Ronaldo, to some of us), they debuted on his remarkable feet at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Later they were split into two distinctive styles (Vapor and Superfly), with the Mercurial remaining one of Nike's best football boots thanks to its bold aesthetics and high-profile player endorsements.
As the X is for adidas, this is Nike’s flagship ‘speed’ offering. Again, it’s all about improving player nimbleness and sharpness.
That’s proven by the players that wear them in today’s game, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Sam Kerr and Kylian Mbappé among their user base.
It’s a slight understatement to say, the Nike Mercurial has scored a truck load of goals across its 25+ years on the turf.
NOTE: For the sake of fair comparison, we’re going to be looking at the premium models of the adidas X Speedportal (‘+’ & ‘.1’ vs. the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 & Superfly 9 (‘Elite’).
Which boot is more comfortable?
With its combined Speedskin upper and Primeknit collaring, the X Speedportal snugly wraps around foot.
Various reviews have mentioned that out of the box, the X Speedportal has some level of stiffness to it, taking a while to break in compared to the Mercurial’s supple upper.
The X and Mercurial are listed in our best boots for narrow feet ranking, which is a true reflection of the feet that they are better suited to: slim.
If you’re happy with the slimmer shaping, the ¾ Nike Air unit in both the Vapor 15 and Superfly 9 may tip the scales for you.
It’s a comfortable addition to the silo, providing cushioned heel protection underneath a Vaporposite+ one-piece upper.
On Adidas’ X, a carbon heel lockdown gives a strong supportive feel, with enough flexibility to avoid feeling uncomfortable.
But, as with all boots for speedy wingers, if you take a stud to the toes in either of these, then you’re going to know about it. Ouch.
Which boot performs best on the pitch?
It’s hard to ignore the numbers that these boots are pumping out between them, every single season.
That’s partly due to the fact that Messi, Miedema and Salah are in the X and CR7, Kerr and Mbappé are rocking Mercs.
Without question, they both perform incredibly well when put to the tricky tests brought about by elite-level football.
That means it’s no different when it comes to the amateur game. The question of “performance” will be subjective to you.
You’ll need to try out the X Speedportal vs. the Nike Mercurial Vapor or Superfly, getting a feel for which suits your style of play.
It's worth noting that both models often fall into our rankings, including best football boots for women and best football boots for strikers.
Which boot is best for 3G/4G & 5-a-side?
As with nearly all flagship silos from leading manufacturers, Nike and adidas both offer artificial ground (AG) and astro turf (TF) options.
That means you can grab the X Speedportal or either Mercurial design to suit 2G/3G or 4G artificial surface types.
For AG, the Speedportal comes with Speedframe tooling on the outsole, offering additional spring and acceleration.
In the Mercurial, you’ll get scientifically researched positioning of the studs on their FG & AG outsoles, perfected to sharpen your changes of direction.
The X and the Mercurial often feature within our rankings for the best boots for 3G and for 4G pitches.
Both boots are highly responsive, which is the key attribute of the quick player they’re aimed at. It’s sharp shimmies and shoulder drops galore over here.
Which boot is best for soft ground?
For the Nike Mercurial, you can grab a player-approved SG-Pro soleplate option to claw away that mud with ease.
It contains 14 studs in total, with 6 of them being traditional conical metal studs and 10 being plastic blades angled to support dynamic and lateral movement.
On the adidas X, it’s their longer, more classic mixed stud formation that gets stuck into the turf to keep you afloat.
Their use of 6 traditional conical studs is supported by 8 smaller tri-studs, strategically positioned across the soleplate.
Both formations are listed in our best boots for soft ground ranking, which means they provide more than enough traction to keep your pace up for 90 minutes.
If we were to choose, we’d lean towards Nike’s SG-Pro option, mainly because the elite players use it, week in, week out.
Which boot is the lightest?
It’d be silly not to answer this question when talking about two of the most popular ‘speed’ boots on the planet.
When we’re thinking about beating opponents off the mark, a few grams could well be the difference you need.
In terms of ranking, the X Speedportal lags behind the Mercurial options. With the X.1 weighing 200g (UK8.5) and the laceless X+ weighing 196g (UK8.5).
In comparison, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite weighs 193g (UK8.5) and our clear winner, the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite comes in at a dainty 186g (UK8.5).
There isn’t much in it, and it’s good to know that all four of these premium boots made our top 10 lightest football boots of the year.
So what? It’s a few grams here and there. But, the Vapor 15 clearly comes out on top. This one’s a scientific fact, people.
Which boot has the best colour options?
Now we’re leaping into seriously subjective waters. Who are we to know if you’re a black boot traditionalist or a mutli-coloured spectacle admirer?
The original colourways of both models were dazzling, that’s for sure. And they’ve continued to release interesting options ever since.
Adidas, with their lime green Rick & Morty-inspired launch for the X Speedportal, showed that they weren’t holding anything back.
Nike opted for crisp white upper, with baltic blue and pink accenting alongside a shimmering two-tone soleplate for their Mercurial launches. Fresh and bright, to say the least.
Since then, we’ve seen blackout packs, whiteout packs and multiple special edition Messi and Mbappé colourways released. All of which we’re sure will be, well, someone’s style.
The truth is, colourways are a constant cycle for flagship silos, and you’re surely going to find something you love if you look hard enough.
Which boot offers the best value?
Now, this is where we step aside from looking at the premium models alone. It’s time to think about cheap vs. expensive boots too.
Not everyone will want to shell out £200+ for the professional design, and that’s fair enough. Sometimes you don’t need it.
Let’s start with those premium models though, with the adidas X Speedportal+ coming in at £250 RRP and the Nike Mercurial at £249.95 RRP. Hmm, no give there.
The adidas X Speedportal.1 is £230 RRP vs. the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 at £234.95 RRP. Hmm, again not much give.
Durability is similar on both boots and they’re probably going to last you for a season for two. So, it really is open to your choice on what you’d prefer to spend.
The takedown options are where you’ll find more value. With the Superfly and Vapor Pro / Academy and Club options vs. the Speedportal.2, ‘.3’ and ‘.4’ takedowns.
These will retail between £50-£150 (we can help you find the cheapest deal, of course), and they’ll likely have enough tech to support your skills if you’re playing casually.
Like beauty, value is also in the eye of the beholder. But we can help you save, no matter which model you decide to go for.
Browse the Nike Mercurial range >
Whether you’ve decided to go for the adidas X or the Nike Mercurial, we can help you hunt for deals in any size, colour or surface type.
If you’re thinking of going for something else, feel free to browse our huge selection of football boots and grab a bargain!
