Nike Phantom GX Academy Review: If the Mercurial Vapor & Tiempo Had a Baby

Nike’s Phantom range is arguably the most interesting of the bunch. While the beloved Mercurial Vapor gets the high-tech, cutting-edge treatment to make it the best speed boot around, and the Tiempo is focused on being the more widely-appealing, ‘classic’ boot, the Phantom is a Frankenstein baby of the two, bringing a hybrid model that has the best of both worlds; but it doesn’t always work.

Certain Phantom models, much like the Phantom Venom, became immediate favourites, but some have missed the mark. The latest attempt at an edgy but accessible boot is that of the Phantom GX, which takes the best bits from the Tiempo Legend 9 and Vapor 15 and mushes them into something that is admittedly quite brilliant.

Design

Looking at the third-tier Academy version of the Phantom GX, you get pretty much the same features as you would on the top-tier Elite model, minus a more finely textured striking area.

The boot itself has quite a streamlined silhouette, appearing more like a speed-boot than its predecessors, however, the idea of having something that’s all about control is at the forefront of what the GX is about. And this is down to the soleplate and stud-pattern, which we’ll jump right into.

Traction

While the Tiempo often goes for all (or mostly) conical studs for rotational pivoting, and the Vapors go for a more aggressive bladed boot for cutting, the Phantom GX uses a bit of both. You get three conical studs (2 on the medial side of the boot, 1 on the outer), with the lateral side featuring 3 tri-star bladed studs (2 on the lateral, 1 on the medial), which are a similar shape to that on the Vapor 14. In the heel area, you get two more bladed tristar studs and two normal conical ones. Add in a fairly stiff soleplate, and you get something that feels very stable underfoot, allows you to twist and jink about easier, but has an aggressive bite to it when you really plant your foot for a cut or sidestep.

Those tristar studs help give the outside of your foot the purchase it needs, but still leave a little room for wiggle thanks to the interior rounded studs. The feeling is closer to that of a bladed boot, but feels a little ‘safer’ than many of the options on the market.

Upper & Fit

As for the upper, the boot features a soft synthetic which feels very pliable and plush around the foot, while a padded inner around the heel area (which is much appreciated) makes slipping your foot in and resting against the plastic heel-counter really snug and comfortable.

It is a tighter fit, due to the internal padding and thicker upper, but not nearly as narrow as recent Vapor models, meaning that most foot types will slip into the GX with no problems.

Ghost Lace?

Besides the sole plate and stud pattern, another unique element of the Phantom GX is the Ghost lace system, which you can choose to have or not have (there are two different models). It’s essentially a mesh synthetic ‘cover’ for the laces, which, admittedly doesn’t do too much, but to be fair, did prevent the laces from untying or loosening up as they would usually bob around on other boots. As for kicking, it may make that top foot area a little more unobstructed, but it’s more of an aesthetic thing.

Even with some gimmicks, the Phantom GX is a very solid entry into that middle category of boots, that isn’t overly aggressive in terms of stud pattern, but is also not as ‘simple’ as other classic boots on the market, giving players something that’s got a bit of tech in it but isn’t trying too hard. If you’re a control-type player who wants a little more bite underfoot, the Phantom GX is a winner.

The Nike Phantom GX Academy (Ghost lace model) is priced at R1,799, with the non-Ghost lace model going for R1,599.

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