Best Football Boots For Every Position – The Top Ten

Top Ten Football Boots

No matter which position you play in, if you don’t have the proper equipment, it’s likely that your game will suffer as a result. And the most important piece out of your entire kit is the boots.

The best footy boots can give you proper skill, speed, power, and prevent any unnecessary injuries that will stop you from playing this beautiful game.

However, when it comes to choosing the right football boots for you, things can get difficult. There’s an incredible choice of footy boots with endless combinations of surface types, materials, plates, design, and a whole lot of jargon. Before we do an in depth analysis, lets have a quick look at whats out there.

Boot ImageModelFeaturesBest Amazon Price
adidas Kaiser 5 Liga bootsadidas Kaiser 5 Liga, Men's Football BootsUpper: Full grain leather
Lining: Synthetic
Outer Material: Synthetic
Inner Material: Manmade
View Amazon Price
adidas Mundial Tea bootsadidas Mundial Tea Unisex Adult Football Training ShoesADIDAS - MUNDIAL TEAM - 4003425775931
Shoes - Man
Outer Material: Other Leather
View Amazon Price
PUMA Men's King Pro Sg Football bootsPUMA Men's King Pro Sg Football Competition ShoesPUMA Lite leather for comfort and durability.
Quilted panels for optimum padding.
View Amazon Price
PUMA Men's Future 4.3 Netfit Fg/AgPUMA Men's Future 4.3 Netfit Fg/Ag Football BootsFootball boot sporting the tried-and-true KING design for the modern player, the outdoor football trainers feature K-leather vamps for perfect ball control and a slip-on construction View Amazon Price
adidas X 18.3 bootsadidas X 18.3 Low-cut silhouette with signature Clawcollar shape locks your foot into the boot for match-long stability and support
View Amazon Price
Nike Unisex Adults Premier Ii bootsNike Unisex Adults Premier Ii Fg Footbal ShoesSoft Kangaroo Leather Conforms To Your Foot For A Classic, Cushioned Touch, While Conical Studs Deliver Consistent Traction. The Kangaroo Leather Used In The Forefoot Offers A Touch Unlike Any Other.View Amazon Price
Nike Men’s Mercurial Superfly VI bootsNike Men’s Mercurial Superfly VI Academy MG Football BootsSoft synthetic leather for improved feel for the ball.
Tongue-less design reduces distractions.
View Amazon Price
adidas Men's Predator 19.1 Fgadidas Men's Predator 19.1 Fg Footbal ShoesProduct colour: Legacy Green/Sand/Solar Yellow
Outer Material: Synthetic
Inner Material: Manmade
Sole: Gum Rubber
Closure: Lace-Up
View Amazon Price
New Balance Men Tekela Magique Fg bootsNew Balance Men's Tekela Magique Fg Football BootsMicrofiber
Tbd
Sole: Synthetic
Closure: Lace-Up
Material Composition: Microfiber
View Amazon Price
Puma Men's Monarch TT boots
Puma Men's Monarch TT Football ShoeOuter Material: Synthetic
Inner Material: Textile
Sole: Gum Rubber
Closure: Lace-Up
Shoe Width: Medium
View Amazon Price

Before we get to the 10 best football boots today, let’s first go through the 4 main things you need to look for when buying them.

How to Choose the Right Football Boots for You

Position

The days of picking any standard pair of leather football boots, no matter where you play, are long gone. Now, you can get different boots based on the performance you’re trying to achieve, and that depends mostly on the position you play on the pitch.

Even though most modern football boots are designed for multiple positions, some of them include features and designs that are most suited to specific positions. Let’s take a look at each of them.

  • Goalkeeper: look for boots with a good grip and a padded upper. This will keep your feet protected in collisions and allow you to shoot long goal kicks.
  • Defender: defenders usually get a lot of impact, so it’s best to choose highly resilient boots. It’s also important to find a wide striking area so you can clear balls more easily.
  • Midfielder: the best football boots for midfielders are usually made with round or conical studs to allow for pressing and running to both ends of the pitch. They allow you to turn and make quick runs with ease.
  • Winger: a position that relies mostly on pace and accuracy, so it’s best to get football boots with thin uppers for precision and light studs for increased speed.
  • Attacker: finding the goal net is the main focus here, so the best boots for attackers need to have a clear striking surface and a secured stud formation to allow you to achieve tight twists and quick runs behind the defence.

Material

Next, you need to choose your preferred material. The fabric out of which the boots are made of can greatly impact your comfort and stability levels.

Generally, football boots come in two main materials:

  • Leather football boots: leather has always been a popular material used in football boots, mainly for the upper since it’s so comfortable and molds to the shape of your foot. This ensures you get an accurate contact area and impressive ball control.
  • Synthetic football boots: Synthetic boots, on the other hand, are the more modern version of the leather boots. They’re lighter, faster, and more durable. They also don’t overstretch and fit your foot perfectly straight out of the box.

Studs

The best football boots make you a faster player, and they do that thanks to the studs. The studs ensure that the bottom of your feet grips the ground and pushes you in the right direction.

There are three main different stud types, each suited for a particular playing style.

  • Round molded studs: made out of rubber or plastic, these are attached to the outsole of the boot. Best suited for hard grounds.
  • Screw-in studs: this type of studs is best suited if you’re looking to swap your studs often, as they can be changed. They often come in metal or plastic, which means they’re more durable.
  • Blades: these are the most modern option available, providing improved grip, quicker turns, and faster acceleration. Just make sure to do a few runs and kicks in these before you wear them in a match, as they can feel awkward at first.

Although the 3 factors we just went through are very important, the most important thing to look for when buying the best footy boots is the type of surface you intend to play on. We’ll discuss this in a whole new section below.

Football Boot Types and Surfaces

Different football boots are suitable for different playing surfaces. This means that if you choose the wrong one, you risk a dangerous injury, or playing like you’re not yourself, becoming the laughing stock of your teammates.

Let’s go through the 4 main types of boots and the surfaces they’re intended for.

Firm Ground (FG)

Firm Ground football boots usually consist of plastic studs and are made for firm natural surfaces, like most dry grass pitches. They can get slippery in wet conditions, but still feel light and balanced when used on firm ground.

Soft Ground (SG)

Soft ground football boots are used for muddy grounds and provide better traction. This is made possible thanks to the iconic six conical stud formation on the outsole. The studs are made of metal and are longer for better penetration in the soft ground. Be careful not to use these on hard surfaces as you can easily lose balance and injure your feet.

Artificial Grass (AG)

Artificial grass football boots are used on fake grass and 3G and 4G pitches. They’re made with more and shorter studs to prevent strain on your joints and knees.

Astro Turf Boots

Astro Turf boots are very similar to AG boots, but they’re specifically designed for astro turf, an artificial grass with a dusting of stand across the top.

They feature a tough, dimpled rubber outsole to counteract the hardwearing surface, which means they can only be used on astro turf.

Okay, now that we got all that out of the way, it’s time to take a look at the best football boots you can buy in 2020.

Top 10 Best Football Boots On The Market

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground
  • Upper: Full-grain leather
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up

adidas Men Kaiser 5 Liga Football Shoes
The Kaiser 5 Liga are one of the most popular adidas football boots, and rightly so. It has a classic black and white design with the iconic three stripes on the side.

It was released as part of the adidas Heritage Collection, together with the Copa Mundial. The name “Kaiser” comes from the legendary Franz Beckenbauer, “Der Kaiser”, to celebrate his contributions to football while wearing the Copa Mundial.

The full-grain leather upper ensures that you’ll get a good feel of the ball, while the EVA insole absorbs any shock to your foot.

It’s built with high-quality materials, making it one of the most durable leather boots on the market, with users reporting that they’ve worn them for more than 5 full seasons.

If you’re looking for an all-time classic football boot that’s extremely comfortable, the Kaiser 5 Liga should suit you just fine.

PROS:

  • Comfortable
  • Full-grain leather upper
  • Durable

CONS:

  • The cleat can stretch too much

View Latest Amazon Prices

adidas Men Copa Mundial Football Boots

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground
  • Upper: Premium kangaroo leather
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up
  • Notable players: Zidane, Maradona, Beckenbauer, Platini

Originally released in 1979 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the Copa Mundial proved to be the best adidas football boots ever. They’re even the world’s highest-selling football boot and are worn by official referees of professional leagues.

It has the same classic design, with three white stripes on a full black boot and premium kangaroo leather that’s highly comfortable and provides a silky touch to the ball. The premium K-leather feels very high-quality and ensures that these boots will withstand thousands of football matches.

The clever design allows you to pass the ball with extreme precision, making the Copa Mundial one of the best football boots for midfielders.

In addition, it features a soft lining that dries very quickly, and an EVA insole to give you that extra comfort level.

PROS:

  • Highly durable
  • Fits like a glove
  • Premium kangaroo leather

CONS:

  • Not so lightweight

View Latest Amazon Prices

  • Surface Type: Soft Ground
  • Upper: Puma Lite leather
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up
  • Notable players: Cruyff, Maradona, Pele, Deschamps

PUMA Men King Pro Sg Football Competition Shoes
The Puma King Pro SG is another timeless classic among football boots with its authentic design and style. It’s the perfect combination of innovation and tradition.

They feature a Puma Lite leather to achieve a lightweight and comfortable design. In addition to its light weight, the sprint spike concept allows you to achieve even higher speeds on the pitch.

The PEBAX outsole is made for playing on soft ground, and the tipped conical studs ensure you get optimum flexibility when your foot is on the ground.

Many players found that the boots felt really comfortable straight out of the box and they didn’t need too much time to break in.

PROS:

  • Comfortable
  • Durable
  • Suitable for wide feet

CONS:

  • Sizing may not be accurate

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest PUMA King Pro Model

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground, Artificial Grass
  • Upper: Synthetic
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up

PUMA Men Future 4.3 Netfit FgAg Football Boots
The Future 4.3 Netfit are the second Puma football boots in this review, but this time it’s a more modern shoe designed for players who want to play in bright colours.

The most notable feature of these boots is the NETFIT technology that allows you to lace up your boots any way you like. There are multiple lacing options to ensure you get the optimal fit based on your foot shape.

To further improve the fit, especially around your ankle, the upper has a knitted sock, providing you with that secure feel all throughout the game.

In addition, the soft upper ensures you get complete freedom of movement in every game, and the fact that these boots are so lightweight means you can enjoy extreme bursts of speed.

PROS:

  • NETFIT Technology
  • Comfortable upper
  • Knitted sock

CONS:

  • Sizing may not be accurate

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest PUMA Future Netfit Model

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground
  • Upper: Dual-layer mesh
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Slip-on

adidas X 18.3 Junior FG boots
If you’re looking to super-charge your game and improve your pace, the adidas X 18.3 Firm Ground boots are the right choice for you!

They’re designed specifically for speed and are stripped down to the essentials only. The sock-like mesh upper provides a minimal feel, giving you true control of the ball.

Featuring two different stud shapes (arrowhead and round) to help you achieve those quick stops and starts easily, the X 18.3 are one of the best football boots for midfielders. The studs are placed on a lightweight TPU outsole that ensures you get the perfect balance between high speed and traction.

When buying any shoes from the adidas X range, though, make sure to get half a size bigger boots to achieve the perfect fit.

PROS:

  • Lightweight
  • Built for speed
  • Comfortable sock-like mesh upper

CONS:

  • Sizing may not be accurate

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest adidas X FG Model

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground
  • Upper: Kangaroo Leather
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up

Nike Men Premier Ii Fg Boots

Nike football boots have always been worn by many professional football players, and the Premier II is one of their classics. It was first released in 1994 before the World Cup in the USA and was slightly modified after that.

The new Nike Premier II offers a perfect combination of the timeless classic with modern technology. It features a soft and flexible kangaroo leather on the upper that adapts flawlessly to your foot, ensuring you get a very close touch on the ball. This makes it one of the best Nike football boots for midfielders.

The studs are conical shaped to give you those smooth runs on firm, natural surfaces with consistent traction. In addition, the insole is specifically designed to work together with the outsole to provide a smooth transition from mid to forefoot, allowing you to make quick turns in any direction.

PROS:

  • Kangaroo leather upper
  • High-quality studs
  • Great value
  • Lightweight and comfortable design

CONS:

  • Sizing may not be accurate

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest NIKE Premier III Model

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground, Artificial Grass
  • Upper: Synthetic Leather
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up

Nike Men Mercurial Superfly VI Academy MG Football Boots

Nike are known for producing well-designed football boots with the latest technology, and the Mercurial Superfly 6 Academy is proof of that. It combines exceptional touch with explosive speed, both on natural and artificial grass.

They’re designed for players who need acceleration and agility in games, like wingers, enabling them to play an explosive game.

A modular plate on the outsole, together with circular and chevron studs ensures you get enough traction on the pitch to propel you at high speeds.

The upper is made from a FlyKnit variation to increase ball control at the highest speeds. It wraps around your foot to give you a skin-like fit straight out of the box.

What sets these boots apart is the fact that they don’t have a tongue, but that doesn’t sacrifice on the fit. Instead, it reduces distractions and allows you to perfect your first touch.

PROS:

  • Highly comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Fits like a glove
  • Soft cushion

CONS:

  • Not enough ventilation

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest NIKE Mercurial Superfly Model

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground
  • Upper: Knit Textile
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up
  • Notable players: Neuer, Gundogan, Laporte

adidas 19.1 Fg Footbal Shoes
The adidas Predator 19.1 are one of the most popular recent adidas football boots. You may have recognized them on professional players – they’re the orange soccer boots that are very hard to miss on the green pitch.

They feature a textured coating on the forefoot to help you control the ball better. In addition, the hybrid stud tips will greatly improve your quick rotations around players and will stabilize your fast-paced movements.

Although the Predator line was known for its fold-over tongue, the 19.1 version doesn’t have a tongue at all. Instead, the tight Primeknit upper wraps around your foot and provides you with just enough comfort and support.

PROS:

  • Anatomically designed heel
  • Primeknit textile upper
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Not an improvement over the 18.1 adidas Predator

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest adidas Predator FG Model

  • Surface Type: Firm Ground
  • Upper: Synthetic
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up

New Balance Men Tekela Magique Fg Football Boots
The Tekela Magique from New Balance are designed mainly for attackers to create more chances. It features a lightweight microfiber upper and an elastic tongue to provide you with the perfect fit throughout the game.

The outsole is made out of TPU and nylon and has 11 conical studs that provide 360 degrees agility and maximum traction. All these studs are attached in a synthetic skeleton that runs through the heel area to add improved stability to the base and even out your weight distribution. This will ensure you get better manoeuvrability.

PROS:

  • Innovative outsole design
  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight

CONS:

  • Expensive

View Latest Amazon Prices

Click Here For Latest New Balance Tekela Magique Model

  • Surface Type: Astro Turf
  • Upper: Synthetic Leather
  • Lining: Synthetic
  • Closure: Lace-up

PUMA Men Monarch TT Football Shoe
The Puma Monarch TT are astro turf boots that combine comfort and durability in a classic Puma design with the white stripe on the side.

They provide a soft touch and full control of the ball thanks to the durable synthetic leather upper. The tongue has kept its classic design to ensure a close and secure fit around your ankle for increased comfort.

What makes these boots suitable for playing on astro turf is the lightweight rubber outsole that offers incredible traction on artificial grass.

PROS:

  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Comfortable

CONS:

  • Only for astro turf

View Latest Amazon Prices

How to Care For Football Boots

You’ve found and bought the perfect football boots for you, but now it’s time to keep your boots as good as new so you can get your money’s worth. To do that, you need to clean them regularly and maintain them in top condition throughout the year. Let’s take a look at a few tips that can help you do that.

Keeping your football boots dry

In order to extend the life of your boots, you need to dry them properly after every match or training. This will prevent cracking and any bad odours.

  1. Once you take them off, loosen the laces as much as you can. This will allow air to flow freely throughout the boots and reduce the impact of the laces contracting.
  2. If your insole is removable as well, take that out and hang it to dry, preferably outside.
  3. Next, knock any mud off of the boots, and wipe them down.
  4. To further reduce moisture, you can roll up newspaper into balls and insert it right down to the toe.
  5. Let the boots dry outside for up to 3 hours.
  6. Once they’re dry, add the insoles back and add a deodorising spray, or baking soda to freshen them up.

Prevent smells in your football boots

To prevent terrible smells from forming in your football boots, you can do a few things, some of which we already mentioned above.

  • Ensure that you wear clean, fresh socks every time.
  • Spray the boots with a disinfectant spray and leave overnight. Just make sure that it doesn’t contain bleach.
  • Fill an old pair of clean socks with cat litter, and leave them into the boots for 24 hours.
  • Add a few drops of essential oil after every wear.

Washing your football boots

Buying a pair of football boots can be a costly investment, so it’s only right to clean them properly and keep them in tip-top shape. To fully clean them, however, you can’t put them in the washing machine – you need to do it yourself.

Leather

Leather boots require more care than synthetic ones, so we’ll start with them first. You’ll need hot water, a clean cloth, toothbrush, baking soda, and a leather restorer.

First, clean the boots outside for any leftover mud from your game by knocking them against each other. Then, use the toothbrush to remove any bits of dried mud or grass, and finish off with the clean cloth slightly dampened in the hot water.

The laces might need to be removed and washed in the washing machine if they’re too dirty.

Once they’re clean, put a little baking soda inside to prevent bad odours from forming, and dry them outdoors in the natural sunlight.

When they’re fully dry, make sure to treat them with a leather restorer to maximize the life of the leather.

It’s important to do this after almost every match to avoid your boots becoming too dirty that they can’t be cleaned properly. The more often you clean them, the easier it will be.

Synthetic

Synthetic football boots can be washed almost exactly the same as leather boots, but you can use a few drops of liquid washing detergent on them to get a better result.

They also don’t need any restoring or chemical product afterwards since they’re made from non-natural materials.

Conclusion

There you have it, the complete guide to choosing the best football boots, and the 10 best options reviewed. We hope that this guide helped you in making the right decision and that the boots you’ve chosen will improve your performance on the pitch.

To sum up, the right football boots can help you significantly improve your game and provide you with enough support to prevent injuries. Choose one of the 10 on our list, and you can’t go wrong, no matter what position you play.

References and further readings:

  1. Karla Maureen Bruntzel PhD – The Effect of Football Boots (PDF version)
  2. Sports Med Int Open. 2018 Apr – Current Soccer Footwear, Its Role in Injuries and Potential for Improvement
  3. Thomson A, Whiteley R, Wilson M, Bleakley C (2019) – Assessing variation in shoe-surface traction over one season of elite football

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