What’s the Difference Between PhantomVSN and PhantomVNM?

Bryan Byrne January 15, 2019 Latest, Nike Leave a comment

The all new Phantom line-up is complete, as Nike has unleashed the replacement boots for Magista and Hypervenom under one silo name. It is a bold move from the Swoosh, one that is sure to create some confusion with fans through release, as we familiarize ourselves with what exactly VSN (Vision) and VNM (Venum) represent. I’ve already had a tough time while writing about them, regularly confusing both abbreviations as I type them quickly!

So, to clean things up a bit, here is a summary breakdown of what both the PhantomVSN and PhantomVNM are all about and what it is that differentiates both!

RELEASE TAGLINE

PhantomVSN: “When we think of the phantoms we are designing for, we envision a battler who has mastered the art of navigating tight spaces while possessing the vision for attack lanes others may not see.”

Phantom VNM: “We teamed up with our research lab to utilize a robotic leg to test strikes from a variety of angles with urethane injected ‘blades’ across the instep. This enabled us to go deep statistically on the impact that the various blade iterations had on accuracy, elevation, power and spin. The lab data helped us land on the exact specifications of Precision Pwr strike zone built for finishers.”

FIT

PhantomVSN: Ghost Lacing system with Quadfit mesh. Quadfit is designed to contain the foot without constricting it, while also retaining its shape over time without overstretch. While not visible from the outside, the impact is immediate on the inside.

Phantom VNM: Flyknit upper with dynamic Flywire. A regular cut collar is combined with covered lacing and an increased strike zone area, giving PhantomVNM a 30-percent larger strike zone than Hypervenom3.

TOUCH

PhantomVSN: Flyknit upper with micro texture. Through the instep, in what is a triangle-shaped area, you will find a dominant raised pattern. Nike Sport Research Lab testing confirms the lower on the triangle one collects the ball, the higher the degree of control for initiating an attack. PhantomVSN is designed to perform in all elements thanks to ACC (All Conditions Control) across the upper.

Phantom VNM: Flyknit upper with strike zone blades. The 13 ridges of the Precision Pwr strike zone are set at specific angles and ascending heights to help keep the ball down if it is mishit and to provide bite on the ball.

TRACTION

PhantomVSN: HyperPrecision outsole, an entirely new FEA-informed traction pattern to accommodate quick multi-directional cuts. The studs are housed on a lightweight, responsive plate with enhanced zonal support for the foot.

Phantom VNM: HyperReactive 2.0 outsole. The plate, which takes inspiration from Nike Free, is flexible in the forefoot for toeing off the ground with torque for sharp cuts. This iteration of the HyperReactive plate also strays from traditional plates by exposing its faceted structure.