GS Nike Jr. Mercurial Vapor 17 Academy
Colorway: Bright Crimson/Blur · Style code: IO1467-600 · Release date: August 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET · Price: $65 · Availability: Available now
Where to buy: Nike
More colorways: GS Nike Jr. Mercurial Vapor 17 Academy (IO1467-001) · GS Nike Jr. Mercurial Superfly 11 Club "Kylian Mbappé" (IR0788-701) · GS Nike Jr. Mercurial Superfly 11 Academy "Kylian Mbappé" (IR0790-701) · GS Nike Jr. Mercurial Vapor 17 Pro "Kylian Mbappé" (IR1653-701) · GS Nike Jr. Mercurial Superfly 11 Academy "Kylian Mbappé" (IV5817-701)
This is the artificial-grass version of the Mercurial Vapor 17 Academy in big kids' sizing. The upper uses NikeSkin, the thin synthetic layer Nike applies across the Mercurial line to keep the barrier between foot and ball minimal, which is where the barefoot framing in the brand's copy comes from. Underneath sits a lightweight plate, and the studs on that plate are hollowed out rather than solid, which Nike says improves traction on harder synthetic surfaces. Additional studs across the forefoot are there for acceleration and changes of direction. The collar is cut low, lacing is standard, and the colorway pairs Bright Crimson with Blur.
The cleats are scheduled to release on August 20, 2026 at a retail price of $65. Academy sits in the middle of Nike's Mercurial tiering, above Club and below Pro and Elite, and the Vapor half of the Mercurial family is the low-cut shape as opposed to the Superfly's higher collar. Nike specifies this pair for longer artificial-grass pitches, and a turf version of the same shoe arrives at the same price on the same day.