Navigating the football boot market

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The worldwide football boot market is worth £15 billion, with Nike and Adidas being the dominant brands. With so many football boots on the market, it can be hard to identify which boot is right for you. This article should help you get your head around what boot is right for what surface, so you don’t end up with a large hole in your pocket buying boots you rarely wear.

Soft Ground - Formerly known as stud boots, these are for playing on grass that has been wet for a while.​ They will give you a better grip as the stud enters the surface, reducing slipping.​ Some boots still allow you to change the studs when they get worn. You can get metal or plastic studs. 


Hard ground​ - Often called moulded boots​, these can be worn through most of the season, especially with junior players as they rarely play on surfaces that require a soft stud. This footwear is essential for playing on the booming number of 3G/4G surfaces​. Blades v round studs? This is an ongoing debate with sport scientist. Blades blend to the contours of your feet, so should help with balance. However, they also put more pressure through the same part of your feet over and over again, potentially leading to stress fractures.  Round studs may not give you the same stability but will allow you to rotate more freely. Ultimately, it’s your preference. 


Astroturf trainers – these are specifically worn on an astro turf pitch or synthetic pitch and give a good grip in dry conditions.  Ideal for youth school football, but most football clubs will now have a 3G or 4G facility that will require players to wear a hard ground boot. 


Indoor trainers – The popularity of Futsal, (which is played indoor with no boards) has led to a boom in the indoor football boot. This footwear has a flat sole which is often non-marking.  Unless you are specifically going to play indoor football, you may never purchase a pair of these.


Buy smartly.  There is a reason brands spend millions supplying boot sponsors to players. Most consumers will look at the brand, follow their role model or get caught up with the marketing hype. As a player it is worth trying different brands before you find your right fit. Consider when and how often you will wear the boot before buying it. Choosing the right boot for the right surface will help you improve your performance and hopefully reduce the risk of injury, helping you to be a better footballer.

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