If your brand new to football or have been playing the game for years, you may have the view that any old boots will work.
Even if it’s not quite the right size, or even in places that have split, you may think that those boots will suffice.
Even though I have tried many football boots and have played the sport for years, I don’t believe boots will automatically make you a world-beater.
But with that said and with the tech in boots nowadays, they do have a role to play in helping someone get the most out of the footballing game.
The question lies in how much of a difference football boots have on someone and the benefits of choosing certain ones.
I will be discussing all of this in this post, so if this is a question on your mind, I would recommend reading it till the end.
Table of Contents
What Is The Purpose Of Football Boots?
The purpose of football boots, especially with all the newer models that are being enrolled nowadays, is to give a footballer the best experience on the pitch.
Aspects that are taken high into consideration include comfortability, stability, traction, control and more.
So while football boots are still designed to look good on your feet, the primary function is to help you play the game without you thinking about what’s on your feet.
For instance, if you’re wearing uncomfortable football boots, you will run around the pitch with that in your mind, and it most likely will hurt your feet too.
Again with traction, if a pair of boots are either worn out or poorly designed (not the case with top brands), you will find yourself slipping all over the pitch.
While obviously, that is embarrassing, more importantly, it makes it harder to play and execute simple moves that to a good standard to play the game.
Are More Expensive Boots Better Than Cheaper Ones?
If you gander on a website selling football boots, you will quickly find out no boot is the same.
Due to various silos, new generations of boots and even different tiers of them, which consist of boots made with either a lot or less detail.
So what you will find is that there are expensive boots and very cheap ones that you could order for upcoming games.
However, which ones do you choose? And are certain ones better?
From my experience, the answer is pretty clear, in that expensive boots are a lot better, which is rightly the case because they are made to be that way.
They offer a much better overall feel, often have the latest technology, and how the boot is made and looks are also finer.
This comes from someone who has tried both types and found that generally speaking, expensive boots do a better job.
Saying that cheaper boots are still good and no matter what level you play, will do a good job.
How Can Football Boots Help Your Game?
The more I have invested in football boots over the years, the more I have. I have noticed how certain aspects of boots can have a big impact on your game.
This section will highlight some of the benefits from my experience that having the right football boots helps you with.
Confidence
More confidence on the pitch because you have boots that you like and suit your playing style.
When you have boots that you don’t like, you may overthink decisions on the ball in some situations. But when you have the right ones, it can give you that boost, which can be pivotal on the pitch.
I noticed this, especially when I started becoming more selective of football boots and not just choosing any boot that comes my way.
Comfortability
Comfortability is an important aspect of football boots, as ones that aren’t can give you a horrendous experience on the pitch.
When you have boots that aren’t comfortable, it can make you feel awkward on the pitch, and the worst-case scenario can result in you having blisters or sore toes.
This is why I always recommend going through several football boots before settling on one pair. That includes trying different sizes as, unlike normal shoes, you typically need a size up from normal.
While most boots, especially with leather ones, require you to break into them, so they may be uncomfortable at first, trying different boots will give you an idea of which ones suit you the most.
I tell you from someone who has played with second-hand boots and ones that don’t fit well. There is nothing worse than uncomfortable boots.
After all, what is on your feet, is what you have to put up with for up to 90 minutes of a game.
Stability
Just as important as comfort, boots that have good stability are ones you should look to get. Having stable football boots gives you more support on the pitch and helps prevent you from getting short and long term injuries.
So having some boots that are made to be stable can help against them awful shin splints and those rolls of the ankles, most footballers dread.
Optimized Soleplate
Soleplates can be overlooked at times, with some players believing that no matter the surface and football boot will do just fine.
However, having certain football boots with the right soleplate will more than likely help you perform better on the pitch because they are made for that surface.
Pairs of boots with different soleplates are made for certain surfaces so that when you are on them, they gain optimum grip and traction.
This is why it’s advised then when playing on a specific surface. You pick out boots that align with it.
So let’s say you play on mostly wet pitches; instead of spending a season slipping around and losing your footing with firm ground boots, you are going to want soft ground boots.
Not only will you be able to play better more consistently as a result of playing with the right boots, but it can importantly help against causing yourself injury.
Lighter On Your Feet
Whether you choose leather or synthetic as your main preference for a football boot, most boots are quite light nowadays.
However, you will find that with specific silos, they will feel better on your feet and give you that freedom to play.
There are not many things worse than I can think of when it comes to boots that make you feel like your dragging your feet across the pitch.
It can feel quite heavy and be quite tiring, so picking boots that feel light on your feet and just suit you can help you get the best out of your game.
Does That Mean The Choice Of Football Boots Is Important?
When you think of the benefits listed above, I would say it is important. If you had a pair of football boots that offered none of what I spoke about, then your likely hindering your own footballing game.
I wouldn’t say, though, that to get boots that give you more confidence, comfort, stability, etc. that you need to spend lots of money.
You definitely don’t need to buy expensive football boots as while they are made of, as I said earlier, higher quality materials, but you will still find the same qualities in the cheaper boots there, just simply toned-down versions.
As long as you do your research and go for established brands in Nike and Adidas, for instance, who do cheaper football boots, you will be fine and will have a good experience on the pitch.
Conclusion
While buying different football boots, I have found that from my experience, testing out different football boots can help you find ones that will help you on the pitch.
Now don’t get me wrong, no football boots will magically turn you into a world-class footballer. However, when you look at the aspects discussed in this post, the right football boots can only help improve your footballing experience.
I hope this helps give you some answers if you were still on the fence about investing time or money into football boots.
If you have any questions at all, do bring them forward and let me know by dropping a comment down below 🙂
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