How to Choose Your Football Shoes?

You spend 100+ hours playing in your chosen football shoe. Spending 2-3 hours on research is time well spent. Here’s a complete guide to boot selection.

by Vaibhav Biradar

Reading Time ~ 4 mins

Football is the most popular sport around the world. Whether you are young or old, a beginner or a seasoned pro, everyone enjoys kicking a football around the pitch. All that is needed is a minimal amount of football equipment. Apart from the ball itself, a footballer’s most important ammunition is a pair of comfortable boots. Football boots are available for all possible playing conditions and foot shapes. With so many options available, it is difficult to choose the best shoe for you.

You will probably spend 100+ hours playing in your chosen football shoes. Hence spending 2-3 hours on researching the most suitable shoe is time well spent. Here are the main factors to consider before making a final purchasing decision.

The Surface You Play On.

Every sole is designed with a specific surface in mind. For example a boot that works wonders on wet outdoor pitches, does not serve its purpose on Astro Surfaces.

Here is a Table which will give you a complete idea of which type of boots suits best for a certain type of pitch:

Pitch Type	Type of Boot/Sole	Features
Soft ground (muddy pitches, rain soaked ground)	Changeable studs	They are the most widely used football boots with six large metal studs screwed in to the sole. The stud length can be adjusted to maximise grip on soft surfaces and help prevent slipping in wet conditions. They are a bit heavier than other boots because of the metal component.
Firm ground (dry outdoor pitches/grounds)	Moulded studs	Football boots with moulded studs and/or blades are ideal for playing on firm outdoor pitches. Firm ground boots are light and comfortable, and give excellent balance. Body weight is distributed evenly across the sole, which reduces the risk of injury. Occasional footballers often choose boots with moulded studs or blades for all-purpose use.
Hard ground (concrete / Astroturf)	Astro soles	These boots are made for playing on artificial turf and other hard surfaces. They are also called Football Trainers. The soles have dimples rather than studs, which help in providing superior grip. Astro soles tend to be heavier than boots made for either soft or firm pitches.
Indoor (wooden / synthetic courts)	Non-marking soles	These are similar to Astro soles, but generally have lower profiles that are designed to leave no marks on the rubber crumb pitch.

The Position You Play At

The next important consideration while choosing your footballing boots is your playing position and style. Players with quick feet require lightweight boots, and those who do less running need a stable, more protective boot.

Here are tabulated attributes you should look for in your boots, according to your position:

Position	Ideal Type of Football Boot
Defender, goalkeeper	Strong, well made boot that enhances stability, grip and reduces the risk of injury from collisions or in the tackle.
Forward, winger	Lightweight, soft leather shoe with blades or light studs which help in rapid acceleration and great accuracy.
Central midfielder, wingback	Must allow accurate passing, crossing and shooting. Also, they must not be too heavy.

Product reviews are the best starting point to zero in on boots with attributes you are looking for.

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Choose the Right Size

Always make sure you get the boots that fit perfectly to your feet from day one. In case of children, buying slightly bigger boots is ideal, as they grow into them quickly. However, adults should always buy football boots that fit perfectly, bearing in mind that they will stretch on use.

If the boots are too tight or too loose, it can cause blisters, affect playing ability, or might even lead to injuries.

Sizing of the boot can vary from brand to brand. If shopping online for an unfamiliar brand, it will be a good idea to go to a local shop and try on a few pairs to make sure you order the right size.

The Shape of Your Feet

In addition to buying the right size, shape of your feet also plays an important factor while choosing your football boots. Feet are of different widths. Some brands tend to be wider than others, and it is therefore often wise to stick to a brand you know suits the width of your feet.

You can have normal arches, high arches, or flat feet. The height of your arch will also help guide you in finding a comfortable fit with adequate support. There are three basic degrees of arch and foot support offered by different models of football boots:

Foot Type	Alignment	Ideal Boot/Support Type
High arch	Supination – weight placed on outside edge of foot	Cushioning boot
Normal arch	Neutral	Stability boot
Flat foot	Pronation – weight placed on inside edge of foot	Motion control boot

Don’t Let Marketers Fool You

Your feet are not the same as Messi’s. Don’t buy a pair of football boots because your favourite player wears them. Always be sensible when it comes to picking your boots. Just because a great player wears a certain label, or designed a model that promises to improve performance on the pitch, it doesn’t mean it will suit everyone else or make them a better footballer. Rather than being swayed by marketing or celebrity endorsements, know which boots suit your feet and style the best.

Buy the Best Boots You Can Afford

Our feet are worth spending a little extra because they support the rest of our body. Football boots have to take a lot of wear and tear while protecting the feet, legs and knees from injury.

There are good Football boots to be found in all price ranges, and not just among the most expensive options. A more affordable boot might well be better for you than the expensive one. The important thing is to do the required research and then find a pair within your price range that really suits your needs and offers the best value for money.

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How to Choose Your Football Shoes?

The Surface You Play On.

The Position You Play At

Get this Football Show Selection Guide in your inbox!

Share this blog

Choose the Right Size

The Shape of Your Feet

Don’t Let Marketers Fool You

Buy the Best Boots You Can Afford

Share this blog

Free Social Platform

spyn Social App

Company

Other Products

Misc