Nike Unveils Women-Led Phantom Luna Soccer Cleat

With the Women’s World Cup coming again in July, Nike wanted to ensure it grew the women’s-led stable of soccer cleats. The Oregon-based brand will make that happen with the July release of the Phantom Luna, what the brand calls its most “researched women’s-led football boot design” in its history.

The two-year project to craft a truly women’s-led design on the soccer pitch focused on updating the traction, fit and feel of the brand’s key soccer silhouette.

“I was part of the wear test group for Phantom Luna in Nike’s Sport Research Lab and have been able to continue to test them in practice,” says Crystal Dunn, USWNT athlete. “The Phantom Luna’s design allows me to plant, pivot and push off with ease.”

For the fit, a new AsymFit collar was designed around female anatomy. Research that showed players wanted a snug fit around the ankle, so the collar shape and height come anatomically designed and a lower front cuff helps for ease of entry. The addition of a high cuff heel seam was set asymmetrically off the ankle to reduce break-in time and irritation on the Achilles, the brand says.

With such a range between high arches and flatter feet in the women’s game, the new Phantom Luna has laces designed for maximum midfoot adjustability.

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With a smaller foot, on average, than a male, Nike says a female-led boot requires larger touch zones for control than a typical male-led design. The Nike Gripknit coating offers a “tacky” feeling that comes integrated into the upper to keep the feeling of the cleat’s upper pliable. The coating can also help repel moisture.

As with any updated soccer cleat, finding the right mix of traction was a major point of research. Nike reveals the Cyclone 360 pattern, which features a circular stud pattern near the toes to allow for rotational traction on any surface, but also the ability to plant, pivot or push off in one motion.

The new design reduces rotational traction significantly, allowing a mix of grip without being overly grippy. “We’ve hit the sweet spot of traction with less resistance,” the brand says, “allowing players to move with agility and confidence all over the field.”

Debinha, Brazil Women’s National Football Team player, says the new stud pattern has great grip. “When I stop, start or change direction,” she says, “I feel secure and confident.”

The Women’s World Cup kicks off in July in Australia and New Zealand. Nike plans to make the new Phantom Luna available at retail the same month.