The new Mercurial's anatomical plate is aligned with the natural contours of the foot, eliminating the gap that previously existed underfoot. Additionally, the boot's soleplate is 40% lighter than the carbon fiber plate it replaces, yet it is stronger and more responsive. The traction system of the Mercurial has also been revamped for speed. Nike’s design team tested different variations of cleats, blades, chevrons and other shapes in a variety of traction patterns. For the first time, Nike Football leveraged virtual Finite Element Analysis (FEA) testing, which provided scientific data to identify which traction pattern works best for the speed-focused player, inclusive of linear sprints.