Like with running spikes, there is a debate within the footballing world as to whether certain football boots make you run faster.
This has become a common question of the past decade due to brands creating football boots that are supposed to be lighter than their previous generation.
As a result, some people truly believe that some football boots can make you run faster, while others think it’s all nonsense.
Now since I have tried a range of football boot models over the years, I thought I would give my two cents on the matter, telling you whether, from my experience, certain boots have made me run faster.
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Do Football Boots Make You Run Faster?
Over the years, I have tried different silos, mostly from Nike, and despite upgrading to the newest generation of a silo, I am yet to notice a noticeable difference.
I haven’t had that situation where I have worn a pair and thought, ‘Wow, I was able to run so much faster compared to the other boot’.
So, as a result, I would say a pair of football boots won’t make you run faster.
However, despite saying that, I would definitely say that you can move more efficiently around the pitch with some of the lighter boots.
With a light boot, you can get your feet off the ground quicker and therefore get into your stride faster.
This is why if we look at athletes running short distances on the track, they will have light trainers with spikes.
All to help them get into their stride faster.
But when we’re talking about actual speed, this is all on the individual and their training to develop this area.
Run Better Not Nesscarily Faster
So while I am on the side of football, boots don’t make you a faster footballer. I do, however, believe that certain boots can help you run better.
I mean that some boots are optimized for certain surfaces and have been designed to give you the right amount of traction and grip that won’t leave you feeling stuck on the pitch.
For instance, if you play on wet grass and have firm ground football boots, you will find moving around the pitch hard.
You won’t get into first gear because you will likely struggle to keep your footing.
The same goes if you are to wear soft ground football boots. It will feel like your wearing heels on a hard grass surface, and therefore you will struggle to run fast.
So it is important to understand that while a football boot won’t make you faster, having the right footwear will help you reach your top speeds.
If you went from wearing the wrong grounded boots to the right ones, you would find the running experience much better.
Why Do Brands Sell Boots Around Speed?
If you glance at a brand that sells football boots, you will find at least one of those boots is based around speed, which they typically say will help you in that department.
First I should say ‘Speed’ in football is a hot topic, everyone wants to be fast like players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
So when a brand uses the word speed, it helps to sell the boots.
But to be fair with brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma, the work they do on their boots is all about creating football boots that will make it easier for you to reach your top speed.
Some people get confused and think the boot will add a couple of extra mile per hours onto your top speed, but that isn’t the case.
Instead, and especially with newer boots, they are made to be very light, which is supposed to help you move better and accelerate better.
Should You Buy Certain Football Boots For Speed?
I would say picking boots for the sole reason of making you faster is not worth it.
Instead, there are other more important areas to consider when choosing a new pair of football boots.
All of which I have listed in this buying guide here, which consists of size, playing role and more.
From my experience, as long as the football boots are tight and give you a good fit, all while being for the right surface, they will do a good job.
You will find nearly all the boots on the market today to help you play the fast tempo football you are looking to play.
If you are looking at a certain brand and wondering which ones to go for, I wouldn’t get obsessed with the boot’s weight or if the word ‘speed’ isn’t used in the product description.
The boots have all been designed for use on a football pitch and are all worn by top footballers worldwide.
You won’t notice a big enough difference to make you regret not picking up a certain boot.
What Can You Do To Run Faster?
Now while the latest football boots that are weighing 10 grams won’t make you a faster player, there are still things you can do to get your speed up for the new footballing season.
The best place to start with is going out running. Now I wouldn’t recommend going for long-distance runs, especially if you want to become a faster player.
That is because football isn’t a game where you just run for a long time at the same speed.
It’s a sport that requires you to switch it on and off constantly. You often have to do that lung-busting run before getting a momentary rest.
I have therefore found the best training is to do shuttle runs, and it is exactly what footballers do to improve their speed endurance.
Conclusion
People have been discussing the effects of football boots for years and whether they really help your speed.
However, I do hope that this post where I have shared my experiences from playing football and using different football boots has helped you.
At the end of the day, while I still believe having the right football boots will help your game, putting on one pair of boots won’t make you Usain Bolt.
Let me know if you have any questions or any thoughts by dropping a comment down below!
Josh
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