A GUIDE TO FOOTBALL BOOTS
FOOTBALL BOOT HISTORY
The first football boots came about in 1891 Prior to this footballers wore work boots which were not practical for playing football in. Playing in work boots came with many problems such as not providing enough grip and having steel toe caps . In 1863 the football association introduced a rule that said players were not to wear boots that had projecting nails ,iron plates or gutta percha on the soles of the boots and if they did players were noy allowed to play. In 1891 the football association approved the wearing of football boots that are fitted with studs which was the beginning of the football boot as we know it as today .
FOOTBALL BOOTS TYPES.
What are SG or soft-ground football boots?
Soft ground boots football boots are ideally used on soft, wet, and muddy football pitches.
They have a longer stud that sinks into the ground when moving around the pitch to give a better grip.
With six studs 4 at the front of the boot and two at the heel.
The studs are metal and can be removed by being unscrewed with a tool that comes with the boot or can be bought separately .
This type of boot also won’t clog up with as much of the mud as a firm ground boot.
Nike Soft Ground Boots
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Adidas Soft Ground Boots
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Puma Soft Ground Boots
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Mizuno Soft Ground boots
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What are FG or firm ground football boots?
Firm ground football boots are used ideally on dried out pitches during the summer or hard / frozen pitches in winter.
When the pitch is hard under foot the grass is normally short and makes a hard pitch feel firmer on the sole of your foot.
Firm ground boots are normally the go to boot for the hole of season.
The studs are not removable like on a soft ground boot.
The studs are made up of a rubber or a hard plastic.
This type of stud is designed to help when sprinting on a firm pitch .
The design of the studs are done so that it gives the wearer better weight distribution as they sprint .
All the major brands of this type of boot have their own way of positioning the studs over the sole but as a rule of thumb there are normally four studs at the heel and between six to eight at the front of the sole.
The stud itself is a different shape from that of a soft ground boot as it can be a blade, cone-shaped or a configuration of both.
Nike Firm Ground Boots
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Adidas Firm Ground Boots
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Puma Firm Ground Boots
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Mizuno Firm Ground Boots
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What are AG or artificial ground/ artificial grass football boots?
Used on 3g/4g synthetic pitches.
3g/4g synthetic pitches are made up of plastic fibres/ rubber.
The stud on the AG boot is much shorter than then a FG/SG boot.
The shape of the stud is a cone shape or a hollow shape which will give you the best grip for the surface and better balance.
With the surface being hard the shorter stud will give you reduced pressure on your feet and will provide you with better grip and change of direction.
This boot is made to give you better movement, balance on this surface which will enhance your play and reduce the chance of an accident.
Nike Artificial Grass Boots
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Adidas Artificial Grass Boots
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Puma Artificial Grass Boots
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What are MG/multi-ground football boots?
Mg boots can be used on both types of playing surfaces firm or artificial.
Mg boots work very well on dry grass as well as the 3g/4g grass pitches.
Mg boots are made up of a lot of short studs which helps balance your weight over the sole and to make the boot more comfortable when playing a match.
The mg boot should not be used for any other surface other than the playing surface it’s made for as it wont give you the proper grip needed on other surfaces.
What are TF or Astro turf football boots?
TF boots are to be used on sand based Astro turf 3g pitches.
Astro turf boots are designed to give you the best grip for the surface, this is done by having a hollow in the centre of the stud .
The hollow in the stud also helps cushion your feet when playing on this type of pitch.
The stud is made of Plastic and is molded to the sole of the boot.
The stud is rounded off and short.
Astro turf trainers.
Astro turf trainers are designed for 2g pitches.
A 2g pitch is made up of sand and artificial grass.
The astro turf trainers will work on multiple astro turf pitches.
The astro turf trainer is made of multiple rubber studs of different sizes with hollow centres.
Do not use these trainers on grass when playing a match as you will not have the grip you need .
Things to remember before buying Football boots.
When buying football boots there are a few things you need to keep in mind -
Football boots are a true size which means whatever your trainer size is that will be the size of the football boot you will need.
Remember that if you wear thin socks i.e. not a football sock thick with your trainers and there is no room to wear a thick sock or a thin and thick sock together go up by a half size to allow for this .
Look at how your feet are, if they are a wide keep away from boots that fall into the speed category as these tend to be narrow .
Also look at the types of material the boots are made of, because if your feet swell you need the boot to give like your trainers do, go for boots made of leather or is knitted.
For value of money I would go for a leather boot because they are a harder wearing boot and last longer.
If you find your boots causing you pain don't worry there is something you can do, get a bowl of warm water NOT hot, fill it to the point that it covers your boots . Put your boots on with the socks you play in, if you play with two pairs of socks put them on then stand in the water for 20 mins. It will loosen the material so that it will mold to your feet, after 20 mins get out of the water and leave your boots on so the material sets around your feet. Take the boots off once you feel your feet are getting cold, remember to do this outside or somewhere that you don't mind spilt water.
The last thing I will say is clean your boots after each time you use them as this will save you money in the long run.
NIKE
Nike's entry into the football boot market has been marked by rapid innovation and a significant impact on the sport. Here's a brief history of Nike football boots:
Early Beginnings
- 1971: Nike, originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports, was rebranded and began producing its own footwear. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that Nike seriously entered the football boot market.
1990s
- 1994: Nike launched its first football boot, the Nike Tiempo, during the FIFA World Cup in the USA. The Tiempo Premier gained popularity for its classic leather design and was worn by players like Romário and Paolo Maldini.
- 1998: Nike introduced the Mercurial line with the Mercurial R9, named after and endorsed by Brazilian superstar Ronaldo. This boot was designed for speed and featured a lightweight synthetic upper, breaking away from traditional leather boots.
2000s
- 2002: Nike launched the Mercurial Vapor, emphasizing lightweight design and enhancing player speed. It quickly became a favorite among fast, agile players.
- 2002: The Total 90 (T90) series was introduced, focusing on power and precision. The T90 line became famous for its striking designs and technological enhancements aimed at improving shot accuracy.
- 2004: Nike launched the Air Zoom Total 90 III, featuring the first off-centre lacing system designed to provide a cleaner strike zone.
- 2006: The Mercurial Vapor III became popular for its Teijin synthetic upper and was worn by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo.
2010s
- 2010: Nike introduced the CTR360 series, designed for midfielders and emphasizing control and passing accuracy.
- 2013: The Hypervenom series debuted, tailored for attackers seeking agility and a barefoot-like touch.
- 2014: Nike launched the Magista, featuring a Flyknit upper and Dynamic Fit collar, revolutionizing football boot design by offering a sock-like fit and improved touch.
- 2014: The Mercurial Superfly IV also featured Flyknit technology, combining a lightweight build with a dynamic fit for speed.
- 2016: The Hypervenom Phantom II introduced a new level of agility and precision with its unique upper texture and NikeSkin technology.
- 2018: Nike released the PhantomVSN, focusing on control and fit, incorporating Quadfit mesh and Ghost Lace system for a clean striking surface.
2020s
- 2020: Nike unveiled the Mercurial Vapor 13 and Superfly 7, incorporating new Aerotrak zones for enhanced traction and speed.
- 2021: The Phantom GT series was introduced, designed with Generative Texture for precise control and accuracy in all conditions.
- 2022: Nike continued to innovate with the latest iterations of the Mercurial, Tiempo, and Phantom lines, focusing on performance, fit, and player feedback.
Throughout its history, Nike has consistently pushed the boundaries of football boot design and technology, creating some of the most popular and innovative boots in the sport. From the iconic Mercurial to the revolutionary Magista, Nike's football boots have been worn by many of the world's top players and have had a lasting impact on the game
Nike Soft Ground Boots
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Nike Artificial Grass Boots
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Nike Firm Ground Boots
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Nike Astro Turf Boots
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adidas
Adidas has a storied history in the world of football boots, marked by innovation, performance, and a strong presence in the sport's biggest moments. Here's a brief overview:
Early Years and Founding
- 1949: Adidas was founded by Adolf "Adi" Dassler in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The same year, Dassler introduced the first Adidas football boots featuring screw-in studs, a significant innovation that allowed players to adjust their boots for different pitch conditions.
1950s
- 1954: The German national team won the FIFA World Cup wearing Adidas boots, which featured the revolutionary screw-in studs. This victory, known as the "Miracle of Bern," significantly boosted Adidas's reputation in football.
1960s-1970s
- 1963: Adidas became the official supplier for the FIFA World Cup, solidifying its presence in international football.
- 1970s: The iconic Adidas Copa Mundial was introduced, designed for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. It quickly became one of the best-selling football boots of all time due to its superior craftsmanship and durability.
1980s-1990s
- 1980s: The Copa Mundial remained the top choice for many professional players. Adidas continued to innovate with new materials and designs, focusing on comfort and performance.
- 1994: Adidas launched the Predator, a revolutionary boot featuring rubber fins to enhance control and swerve on the ball. The Predator series became iconic, known for its distinctive design and technological advancements.
2000s
- 2000s: Adidas introduced various iterations of the Predator, each incorporating new technologies like PowerPulse (weight distribution) and Predator elements (enhanced ball control).
- 2002: The Predator Mania, released for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan, became one of the most popular boots, remembered for its stylish look and performance.
2010s
- 2010: Adidas launched the F50 adiZero, emphasizing lightweight design and speed. The F50 series was worn by numerous top players, including Lionel Messi.
- 2014: The release of the Adidas Primeknit FS marked the introduction of knitted football boots, showcasing the brand's commitment to innovation.
- 2015: Adidas introduced the ACE and X silos, focusing on control and speed respectively, catering to different types of players.
2020s
- 2020: Adidas launched the Predator Mutator, featuring Demonskin rubber spikes for enhanced ball grip and control.
- 2021: The Predator Freak continued the evolution of the Predator line, maintaining its reputation for combining innovative technology with high performance.
Throughout its history, Adidas has maintained a significant presence in football, continuously evolving its football boots to meet the demands of modern players while preserving its legacy of quality and innovation
Adidas Soft Ground Boots
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Adidas Artificial Grass Boots
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Adidas Firm Ground Boots
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Adidas Astro Turf Boots
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