Quick Facts
- The Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite Vini Jr. Sunset Pulse is Nike’s thinnest Mercurial soccer cleat to date, with an upper designed to grip the ball and attract eyeballs
- Featuring a sunset pulse shade of pink across the entire Flyknit upper, Nike weaves in Gripknit to provide better touch on the ball
- The Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite Vini Jr. Sunset Pulse will be released February 9, 2026
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This year in sneakers will be all about soccer. With the World Cup taking over the US, Canada, and Mexico this summer, sneaker brands are getting in on the soccer fever at every turn. The team over at adidas is bringing country-specific collections of classics, and Nike is adding plenty of soccer-focused collabs and retro releases. The latest drop from Nike Soccer is a new Vini Jr. PE that brings the Brazilian star’s bright personality to every touch.
The Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite Vini Jr. Sunset Pulse is Nike’s thinnest Mercurial soccer cleat to date, with an upper designed to grip the ball and attract eyeballs. Featuring a sunset pulse shade of pink across the entire Flyknit upper, Nike weaves in Gripknit to provide better touch on the ball. Nike soccer gets all the best fabric technology names.
A custom three-quarter length Air Zoom unit is built into the traction plate, and a chevron-stud wave pattern adds even more bite into the ground with every cut and direction change. Grey accents are added to the side panel, and purple Swooshes pop out on the heel and tongue. This is Vini Jr.’s second Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite PE to make its way to public release, after the Real Madrid star dropped a black, yellow, and red colorway last year.
The Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite Vini Jr. Sunset Pulse will be released February 9, 2026 through Nike and select retailers in-store and online. Available in adult and grade school sizing, the retail prices are set at $280 and $150, respectively. For all the latest Vini Jr. Nike news, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
