Nike Introduces Phantom Luna, a New Women-Focused Football Boot
Product News
The traction, fit and feel of the new Phantom Luna boot are designed to serve female footballers’ needs.
Original content published: June 7, 2023
What to know
- Ahead of this summer’s historic tournament, Nike is launching the Phantom Luna boot — the most innovative and researched women-focused boot in company history.
- Phantom Luna features a breakthrough new traction pattern, Nike Cyclone 360, which helps players move with agility, precision and confidence.
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Women’s soccer has never been more competitive or celebrated, and the evolution of the game calls for advancement of the footwear athletes wear on the pitch. Ahead of this summer’s historic women’s soccer tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Nike is launching the Phantom Luna, a new soccer cleat designed with female players at the center of the process.
The teams responsible for designing the cleat took more than two years for researching, trialing, designing and styling — all while collecting meaningful feedback from female athletes who tested different models of the boot. The player input led to a Nike Phantom Luna boot that offers the traction, fit and feel female footballers were seeking.
(Related: The Best Nike Soccer Cleats to Match Your Playing Style)
What Makes the Phantom Luna Cleat Unique?
1.Traction
Near the toes, the Phantom Luna features a new circular stud pattern that allows for better rotational traction on the pitch, empowering players to make split-second changes in direction. Named Nike Cyclone 360, this underfoot traction pattern allows players to move with agility, precision and confidence throughout the match.
“The Nike Cyclone 360 plate offers quickness to athletes, allowing them to feel confident when cutting and turning. We want them to play their best game ever,” said Fiona Lesecq, Nike footwear designer.
2.Fit
Crystal Dunn, U.S. Women’s National Team
Phantom Luna’s fit is also attuned to the female footballer. Featuring a new upper design, Nike Asym Fit, the boot features a snug fit around the ankle, which female players asked for throughout the research phase.
“Luna is one of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever put on. It’s really important as an athlete who’s constantly moving to feel comfortable and secure,” said Crystal Dunn, defender for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
3.Feel
Because women’s feet, on average, are smaller than male players’ feet, women’s cleats require bigger touch zones for ball control and accuracy.
Nike designers applied the brand’s latest football innovation, Nike Gripknit, to the Phantom Luna upper for optimal boot-to-ball connection. The coating gives a “tacky” feeling and is integrated into the material, so the cleat stays soft and pliable.
“When you put your boots on, you can focus on your game, because Luna feels seamlessly integrated with your body and your movements on the pitch,” said Emily Johnson, senior product line manager at Nike.
Nike Phantom Luna Elite and Phantom Luna will be available starting late June 2023 at nike.com and select retailers.