What Position & Playing Level – best boots for positions
Which Football Boots Are Best For My Playing Position?
As we’ve seen in the previous buying guides there are numerous football boot choices for players of all levels. From laced to laceless, knitted to leather, soft ground to hard ground. But what about specific football boots silos? How do you know which one will benefit not just your foot shape, but your style of play? Here we take a look at how your position may influence your boot choice.
Which football boots are best for goalkeepers?
The main football boot attributes for goalkeepers tend to be something that offers a comfortable, full powered strike on the ball for goal kicks, and something that has good traction for pushing off to dive or sprinting off your line, and finally something that isn’t too heavy when you’re being agile. Most professional goalkeepers opt for a boot that can give them a little bit of extra power from kicks, such as the adidas Predator or Nike Phantom GT. Always go for SG over FG if you’re unsure – GK is the last position you want to drop a costly slip in.
Top 5:
- Adidas Predator
- Nike Phantom GT
- PUMA Future
- New Balance Tekela
- Umbro Medusae
Which football boots are best for central defenders?
There was a time when centre backs wore whatever was sturdiest and strongest, but the game has developed. While it would be cliche to say that defenders need a solid durable boot for flying into tackles, it’s also worth remembering that these are the players tasked with marking some of the fastest players in the game. If you’re a stopper type who likes to get stuck in we’d recommend going for a leather boot such as the Nike Premier or Adidas COPA, but if you’re a ball playing centre back who likes to get forward then perhaps something a little lighter with a bit of control technology.
Top 5:
- Nike Premier II
- Adidas Copa
- PUMA Future
- Diadora Brasil
- Nike Tiempo Legend
Which football boots are best for full backs and wing backs?
The modern full back loves attacking. Whether you’re trying to take on your opposite number or chasing back after the opposition winger, pace is a big part of your game. Once you’ve beaten your man it’s about finding a cross, so for full backs it’s all about lightweight feel with a bit of control to aid a pinpoint delivery.
Top 5:
- Nike Mercurial
- Nike Phantom GT
- adidas Predator
- PUMA Ultra
- adidas X Ghosted
Which football boots are best for central midfielders?
If you’re a player in the middle of the park then you’re tasked with winning the ball back, moving the ball on, finding a pass and shooting from distance. You’ll be pivoting in all directions at all angles so may favour a better traction soleplate than a boot such as the Mercurial which is built for top speed in straight lines. You want something that’s comfortable, aids control but is also light enough to go box-to-box.
Top 5:
- Nike Phantom GT
- Adidas Predator
- PUMA Future
- New Balance Tekela
- Nike Tiempo Legend
Which football boots are best for wide midfielders?
Speed, speed, speed. You’ll want a lightweight football boot built for giving you the edge in a race to get in behind a defence and in on goal to shoot or cut back to your strikers. Dribbling at high speed is also a trait of winger so a little bit (but not too much) grip is welcomed.
Top 5:
- Adidas X Ghosted
- PUMA Ultra
- Nike Mercurial
- New Balance Furon
- Mizuno Morelia Neo
