For our latest article, we decided to go back to basics and answer every question you might have about football boots. We scoured the vast chasm of knowledge that is the internet to find out exactly what you are asking and what you want to know but can’t find out about football boots. Some queries are logical… Some are unanswerable… And some are just downright stupid. BUT, we are answering absolutely all of them. This should be fun, so here goes.
Every football boot question answered: the good, the bad and the ugly
Are football boots…
Supposed to be tight?
Simple answer: footy boots must be tight enough so that your foot doesn’t move around, but not so tight that the boot is rubbing or hurting a part of your foot.
Allowed in rugby?
We play and like a proper sport so we cannot speak on behalf of rugby. In football, however, due to the larger stud of rugby boots, we definitely do not recommend wearing them for kicking a ball around. It is unlikely that at Sunday League level an official will even notice, let alone pull you up on it, but at a higher level, the refs may have a bit more to say.
Waterproof?
The material used to create football boots is mostly water resistant, but due to the opening at the ankle of football boots, water can easily enter through the top. Boots like the Nike Hypervenom Phantoms, with the trademark ankle collar, will obviously prove to be more waterproof than most. The laces part of football boots also allows for water to enter as a tongue creates an opening in order to hold them. This is countered by the new trend that it laceless boots, with football boots such as Under Armour’s Spotlight Pro 2.0s and Adidas Ace 16+ PureControls.
Allowed in hand luggage?
I love that there are people out there asking these kinds of questions. However, far be it for us to intrude on airport workers’ thing. We did some searching and football boots are allowed in hand luggage on most airlines. We certainly recommend double checking with your particular airline though before you fly as some don’t allow studded boots in your carry on and you’ll have to check them in your main luggage.
Unisex?
Yes, football boots are unisex. Kind of feels a bit like a sexist question to answer though… Are men and women’s feet inherently different?
Good for running?
Yes and no. Yes – footy boots are good for running on whichever surface the stud type is designed for (AG, FG, HG, SG). No – they are not good for running on concrete or down the local shops. Put it this way, there are better things to wear for marathons… Like flip-flops.
Can football boots…
Go in the washing machine?
No football boots can’t go in the washing machine. That is, of course, if you have no value for your poor old washing machine’s life. If your boots aren’t destroyed by the time they’ve endured a few spins, then yes, they may very well be clean (or cleaner than they were). HOWEVER, you washing machine would have seen better days; intense spinning motion + sharp metal studs = a very bad time. Check out our guide to find out exactly how to properly clean your football boots.
Cause injuries?
Yes, they can. As mentioned above, some have metal studs which are sharp and can easily inflict pain and injury. All footballers have a responsibility to tackle in a correct manner to prevent harming other players. However, some take this responsibility more serious than other… YeS Nigel De Jong, we are referring to you!
Be stretched?
No, football boots can’t be stretched. They are not Play-Doh. Some are made from certain materials that are designed to mould and shape around your feet, but this is not a process that occurs after wearing boots in.
Make you faster?
This is a tricky one to answer. Do football boots make you faster? Not directly. But they can enable you to be more agile. Some football boots are made from lighter materials in order to make it easier to run, and even subtle features like stud configuration can affect stability and acceleration.
Be washed?
Yes! Refer to our guide for all the answers on washing and find out exactly how to clean your football boots to make them last longer!
Be repaired?
Technically yes. They are all made from different materials so in theory if you have said resource and a dab hand with a needle then you could do a self-repair job. Equally, some special shops will repair football boots. However, if you do find that your boots are in some sort of bad state, it will likely be cheaper and definitely more time effective to simply replace them. Find out exactly how often you should replace your football boots.
Do football boots…
Make a difference?
Of course! You won’t go from Titus Bramble falling over his own feet while scoring an own goal to James McLean netting an absolute banger and sending Ireland to the World Cup (playoffs). But, they give you that slight edge. Football boots are the catalyst for the genius that happens on the pitch. They enable glory. All this by enhancing a player’s’ attributes, be it shooting, control or agility.
Come up small?
We weren’t exactly sure what they meant with this one, but far be it for us to do a half-arsed job. It came up in the top Google searches, so you’re asking it and we want to answer. We assume it means can they turn out to be too small and not fit the intended foot. If so, we aren’t sure how to answer that.
Make you better?
No, they can only help you to reach your full potential by enhancing your skills.
Why do football boots…
Have socks?
The sock design (or ankle collar) on football boots is a recent trend that has engulfed the market. The futuristic look appeals hugely to a younger audience and makes any boot look that little bit more dashing. Talking practical terms, the ankle collar is there for a number of reasons. For one, it adds that little bit of extra protection for the ankle. Also, it helps with the comfort of the boot and the fit, as it creates a tight lock around the ankle and ensures that the foot does not move while inside.
Smell like cat pee (yes, this was somehow second in the Google search)?
Somewhat opinionated. I would say that the smell is not pleasant, but the odour can’t be pinned down to cat pee. I feel like I have devoted too many words to this question.
Have long laces?
Come on now. Is someone actually out there measuring the average length of shoelaces and comparing them to football boots? Who is asking these questions? They aren’t particularly long. I feel like somebody is taking the piss now.
Cost so much?
Finally, back to a normal question. Yes, they are rather pricey. The top models have now all become filled with the latest technology, and as a result it will cost you big dollar. That’s why we review football boots in an honest and straight-forward manner so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision before you splash the cash. Here’s what to look for when buying footy boots and some of the best boots around if you’re on a budget.
Have studs?
Have studs? Why do football boots have studs? Friction. Grass and water means friction. God dammit and we are back to piss-taking again. End of questions.
We hope you may have learned something. In fact, we know you would have done. You would have learned that some people will ask just about anything!
