Few boots burned as bright and as briefly as the Nike Hypervenom. Launched in 2013 and gone by 2018, it was the striker's boot of its generation, worn by Neymar at a home World Cup and by Harry Kane through his breakout seasons. Today the Hypervenom is one of the fastest-rising names among classic football boots, and the first-generation Hypervenom Phantom has become a genuine grail. This is the complete story.
What Is the Nike Hypervenom? The Short Answer
The Nike Hypervenom was Nike's agility-focused striker's boot, launched in 2013 as the successor to the Total 90 and discontinued in 2018 when it merged into the Phantom family. It ran for three generations: the Hypervenom Phantom 1 (2013), Phantom II (2015) and Hypervenom 3 (2017), famously worn by Neymar and Harry Kane.
2013: The Hypervenom Phantom 1 Arrives
Nike unveiled the Hypervenom in 2013 as the successor to the Total 90, built for a new type of agile, unpredictable striker. The NikeSkin upper, a textured mesh for grip and touch, an anatomical tapered fit and an asymmetric stud pattern made it feel unlike anything before it. Neymar became its face, and the launch colorways in poison green and volt defined the look of attacking football overnight.
That original Hypervenom Phantom 1 is now the most searched model of the line, and clean pairs disappear from the market almost immediately.
2015–2017: Phantom II and Hypervenom 3
The Hypervenom Phantom II of 2015 refined the NikeSkin texture and added a Dynamic Fit collar option, right as Robert Lewandowski scored his legendary five goals in nine minutes wearing Hypervenoms. The Hypervenom 3 of 2017 brought a sleeker construction and became Harry Kane's boot through his Golden Boot seasons at Tottenham.
When Was the Nike Hypervenom Discontinued, and Why Does It Matter?
Nike discontinued the Hypervenom in 2018, folding it into the new Phantom family after just five years. That short lifespan is exactly what makes Hypervenom cleats so collectible: three generations, a handful of iconic colorways and special editions like the Hydra, and then nothing. Every pair that exists is all there will ever be.
Nike Hypervenom: Complete Timeline
The entire Hypervenom era spans just five years and three generations:
| Model | Release Year | Worn By | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypervenom Phantom 1 | 2013 | Neymar | NikeSkin upper, asymmetric studs, poison green launch icon |
| Hypervenom Phantom II | 2015 | Robert Lewandowski | Dynamic Fit collar option, the five-goals-in-nine-minutes boot |
| Hypervenom 3 | 2017 | Harry Kane | Sleeker construction, Kane's Golden Boot seasons at Tottenham |
| Discontinued | 2018 | — | Merged into the Nike Phantom family, never re-released |
Even the Pros Hunt for Hypervenoms
Here is the part we can prove: today's young stars grew up watching Neymar in Hypervenoms, and now they come to us for them. Lamine Yamal got his first-generation Hypervenom Phantom from Euniqueboots. Mathys Tel picked up a Phantom 3, and Vitor Roque is on the list too. You can see the deliveries on our Instagram feed, often with the players themselves reacting under the posts. When the most exciting teenagers in world football choose a discontinued boot over anything modern, that tells you where the Hypervenom stands.
Which Hypervenom Should You Collect?
- For the grail: The 2013 Hypervenom Phantom 1 in poison green, the Neymar launch icon
- For the story: A Phantom II from the Lewandowski five-goal era
- For the Kane connection: The Hypervenom 3 from his Golden Boot seasons
- For rarity: Special editions like the Hydra, made in small numbers and rarely resold
How Do You Spot an Authentic Hypervenom?
- Look for the signature NikeSkin texture and the asymmetric stud pattern
- Verify era-specific tags from the 2013 to 2017 production years
- Buy from sources that guarantee deadstock, unworn condition
How Do You Preserve Vintage Hypervenoms?
- Cleaning: Wipe the synthetic upper with a damp cloth and avoid harsh chemicals
- Storage: Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent the bold colorways from fading
- Playability: The grip still performs, but grail pairs like a Phantom 1 belong in the display cabinet
FAQs About the Nike Hypervenom
What is the Hypervenom Phantom 1?
The original 2013 model that launched the line, worn by Neymar. Its poison green launch colorway is the single most wanted Hypervenom among collectors.
What year did the Nike Hypervenom come out?
The Nike Hypervenom launched in 2013 as the successor to the Total 90, with Neymar as the face of the original Hypervenom Phantom.
When was the Nike Hypervenom discontinued?
Nike discontinued the Hypervenom in 2018, after just five years and three generations, when the line was folded into the new Nike Phantom family.
Who wore the Nike Hypervenom?
Neymar was the face of the original Hypervenom Phantom in 2013, Robert Lewandowski scored his five goals in nine minutes in the Phantom II, and Harry Kane wore the Hypervenom 3 through his Golden Boot seasons at Tottenham.
What replaced the Nike Hypervenom?
The Nike Phantom family replaced the Hypervenom in 2018. The Hypervenom itself was never re-released, which makes the original 2013–2017 boots a finite supply.
Did Nike re-release the Hypervenom?
No. The line was merged into the Phantom family in 2018 and never returned, which makes the originals a finite supply.
Is the Hypervenom Phantom 1 rare?
Yes. The line was discontinued in 2018 and never re-released, so every existing pair is part of a finite supply. Clean, unworn pairs of the 2013 Phantom 1 disappear from the market almost immediately.
What is the price range for retro Hypervenoms?
Roughly €300 to €800 and beyond, depending on model and rarity. First-generation Phantoms and special editions command the top prices.
Own the Striker's Boot of a Generation
Every pair of Nike Hypervenom cleats and football boots in our catalog is brand new, unworn and 100% authentic, with worldwide shipping. Browse the full Hypervenom collection here. And to understand where the Hypervenom came from, read our Nike Total 90 history, the power boot it replaced in 2013.
