THE RIGHT BOOTS FOR THE JOB
... not all boots are created equal - individual comfort rules ...
As discussed in the guide on Football Boot types, it is more beneficial to select boots for fit and comfort than it is to select them on style, design colouration or brand. And definitely don't select a boot simply because a famous professional player has been endorsed to wear them - in most cases, the versions they wear are custom made for them and are rarely anything like the models on sale for the general public other than in general looks.
The fit and comfort of any pair of football boots will be the same as for any shoes and just as much care should be applied to making sure you get correct fitment to avoid pain while wearing and using them. The design of football boots have evolved significantly in the 80 odd years since the first professionally produced models became commonly available. Modern boot designs are generally ergonomically and anatomically better than their historical counter parts and plenty of science and testing goes into producing each model.
However, even with all this technology it still boils down to personal choice. For adults it is generally easy to tell if something 'feels' right, e.g. if you feel pain when you try a pair on, you will feel more pain when you use them for real. For junior players it is a lot more subjective because they don;t really understand the concepts of comfort versus 'coolness' and they can't adjust their perceptions from the shop to the pitch. We have compile a list of useful things to look for or do when buying a new pair of boots.
The evolution of the humble football boot
The huge variety of football boot designs
01. Try the Boots on before you buy
Even if you have bought exactly the same design, size and model before and simply want the ease of buying another pair online, don't do it! It is impossible for every pair of boots to be the same even within a manufacturing batch because slight variations creep in when glues cure, when materials settle or if they have been in storage for a while. Our recommendation is to go to a reputable shop and try the pair you want to buy on in store. If you find that one pair doesn't fit, then you can always ask for another pair or for a different model.
02. Bring your Football Socks
When trying out new boots we recommend that you bring along the football boots that you will normally wear when playing. Wear the socks when you try on the boots as football socks are thicker than normal socks and are often designed differently - for example some daily socks are made by a one-piece process, whereas football socks cannot be because of the rigours they are put through. Make sure that the boots fit comfortably with your socks. If you want growing room wear two pairs of socks but don't have too much space. It is also important to wear the right socks. Unlike other sporting shoes, football boots are rarely designed to be breathable so feet have a high tendency to sweat more. Wearing the correct type of socks is essential to help circulation, breathability and to remove moisture away from skin. There are also advanced sock developed to specifically improve adhesion between the skin of feet and the inner liners of boots. They translate movement in the feet and legs to traction on the ground with loss of energy, however for junior players this isn't going to make that much difference.
03. Comfort does not mean loose
Understand that comfortable boots are generally ones which should fit snugly (as opposed to tightly). Just like running shoes or any other sporting shoes, you do not want too much space in the boots otherwise when you go to run or move, your feet will simply slide around inside the boots and potentially cause injury to your feet. Too much movement of the feet inside the boots will mean you don't change direction, you don't accelerate and you mostly fall over. Also look out for half sizes and wide fit models to ensure the proper fit. Trained shop assistants will normally be able to help you determine if boots provide a good fit. Don't be put off by trying several pairs, every design is different in subtle ways.
04. Stand up for yourself!
When trying out new boots put them both on and stand up. Judging fit and comfort sitting down doesn't work because there is no weight on the soles of your feet so they are not naturally speading as they would be when you walk on them. If necessary ask the shop assistant to re-lace the boots properly to allow you to wear them properly - most boots come laced in the most basic ways. Finally if you can walk around, and jump a little if you can. Ideally if you can run a little that would be better. Generally try to stretch the boots while you are trying them on to get a feel for how they will flex when you use them for real. Look for tightness on across the top of the feet and at the back of the ankle areas.
05. Material nature, it matters
Just like normal shoes, the material which is used to construct the boots can make a huge difference to how they feel when worn and how they will change over the lifetime of their use. Natural materials like various leathers typically have more stretch and give in their shape whereas synthentic materials tend to be ligher, but less durable and less accomodating. Also, the prevailing trend is to have the upper portions of boots made from synthentic materials as they can be formed from a single piece. Real leather boots are still constructed from several pieces sewn together to form the shapes for the uppers. Leather and synthentics need difference methods of care to maintain them in prime condition and prevent them from degrading.
06. Not all sizing is the same
More and more, manufacturers are trying to harmonise their sizing into a single format. With european manufacturers like Adidas and Joma the tendency is to build to european sizing and the provide conversion charts for UK or American sizes. However the conversion is not always accurate or consistent so it is not uncommon for boots to either be bigger or smaller than equivalent sizes of normal shoes. Again, this is a reason for trying boots on. Additionally, more manufacturers are producing boots in half sizes and wide fitments - Adidas has become known for doing this. So it may turn out that a half size bigger than your normal shoe size is actually you football boot size however, there are examples of people needing two whole sizes larger so it pays to check.
07. Anatomy of the Football Boot
Regardless of make, model and style, all football boots comprised essentially the same set of parts. Starting from the top, you have the 'upper' and on the bottom you have the 'out-sole'. From front to back, the upper is then broken down into toe cap or fore foot, followed by the mid-foot and then the heel. Also part of the upper, is all the interior elements, comprising of lacing bridge (inc. eyelets), laces, tongue and sock liner (the removable liner). The out-sole is also comprised to several elements. Again going from front to back, we normally have the toe, the mid-sole and the heel cap. Modern boots will also have an arch brace which is either visible or not visible (i.e. inside the sole). The out-sole is also where you will find the studs. One piece versions of the out-sole - which combine studs - are also typically referred to as the sole-plate. Sometimes you may hear studs being referred to as cleats. Very occasionally, you can get replaceable studs on junior boots and they are more prevalent in adult boots. Regardless, if you do get boots with replaceable studs be sure to ask about the stud key as you will need it to remove or replace worn or missing studs which have worked loose and fallen off.