Nike Mercurial Flylite Shinguards

The revolution of soccer body armor.

Concept: Challenge the age-old soccer shinguard protection formula, i.e. (hard shell over solid padding.)

Project Contribution: Industrial Design. Concept generation. Development and testing. *Final graphics and form designed by in-house Nike ID team.

Pain Points: Heavy | Hot Foam padding | Rigid & Uncomfortable

Move with ease and grace. The flexible polymer shell combined with the impact-web provides rigidity minus the weight.

Stay cool and dry. The outer shell and inner impact-web are spaced to provide ample air flow.

Molded cushioning pillars absorb hard blows. They work in unison to protect, ventilate and flex all at once.

These are not your father’s bulky, clumsy shin guards. Innovative materials, combined with thoughtful mechanics create armor that stays in place.

Proprietary polymers were created to produce the desired flexibility within the outer-shell to provide a comfortable impact-web against one's skin.

Key Milestones

We challenge the ingrained design formula which resulted in a lighter, more comfortable, ergonomic shinguard.

2D sketch concepts led to the creation of fit prototypes; which led to functional working prototypes to test in real-life gameplay.