Best football boots 2023: The finest footwear for soft ground, firm ground and artificial surfaces
Ensure you're properly equipped for the winter months with our pick of the best football boots
Current underfoot conditions are pretty heavy, so you’ll want to be wearing a pair of the best football boots for soft ground when you take to the pitch.
Moulded studs don’t quite cut it on boggy surfaces in the winter and leave you in danger of ending up flat on your backside rather than on the end of an inch-perfect cross.
Below, you’ll find our pick of the best football boots for use on a variety of surfaces, with our favourite soft ground options at the top. Big-name manufacturers like Adidas and Nike have released a number of boot updates for the 2021/22 season, meaning you have more choice than ever.
Regardless of your budget and whether you’re a towering centre-back, midfield maestro or fox-in-the-box goal poacher, there’s something for you in the list below.
Before we dive into the list of entries like Neymar in the box, we’ll break down all the things you should consider before buying a pair of the best football boots. Picking the right type of stud is crucial but there are a few other factors worth considering before splashing out on a new pair of boots.
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Best football boots: At a glance
- Best soft ground boots: Nike Premier III | £110
- Best boots with moulded studs: Adidas Copa Mundial | £150
- Best football boots for speed: Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 | £255
- Best boots for comfort: UA Clone Magnetico Elite 3.0 | £225
- Best eco-friendly boots: Sokito Devista | £150
How to choose the best football boots for you
What type of football boots should I buy?
The first decision to make is whether you’re buying boots for soft or firm ground (typically referred to as SG or FG); almost all popular boots will come in versions designed for each terrain. Soft-ground boots will have longer, changeable studs that are more capable of handling muddy conditions. Firm-ground boots generally have moulded studs for better grip and speed on harder pitches. In the rainy UK, soft-ground boots are usually the way to go during the winter, but you might want to invest in more than one pair of boots to have the best option available whatever the conditions. In addition, there are also boots specifically designed for artificial, astroturf or indoor pitches.
How much do I need to spend?
If you dream of emulating Messi or Neymar you can end up spending hundreds of pounds on faithful replicas of their boots – but it’s absolutely not necessary to spend that kind of cash to get a quality pair of boots. Most popular lines start at under £50, although the cheapest boots will be quite different to the most expensive. You can often pick up a bargain by looking at last year’s model – these can be heavily discounted, and honestly not all that much changes from year to year. If you’re looking at Adidas, Nike and Puma boots in particular, it’s definitely worth checking the price of past models.
Should I go for leather or synthetic boots?
Leather is traditionally considered the best material for the upper section of boots because it’s comfortable and moulds to your feet over time, which will aid your ball control. However, it’s absorbent, so unlike synthetic materials, it can get heavier in wet conditions, and is harder to clean. Synthetic boots are often cheaper, too, but they might not match the comfort of leather, especially at the bottom end of the market. With that said, once you get up to the mid-price and beyond you’re going to find great boots regardless of the material they’re made from.
What else do I need to consider?
The fit of a football boot is extremely important – and it can vary a lot from brand to brand, and even within a single product line. So it’s vital to try on a pair before buying if at all possible. Another factor is weight: a very light and thin upper is great for close control, but the featherweight boots used by pros are designed for perfectly-kept pitches; if you’re playing on Hackney Marshes, rather than at Wembley, expect to feel every bump and puddle.
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The best football boots you can buy in 2023
1. Nike Premier III: Best soft ground football boots
Price when reviewed: £110 | Check price at Nike
The Nike Premier III SG are perfect for use in wet conditions. They feature a mixture of fixed and detachable studs to grant extra traction when it’s soft underfoot and their anti-clog design helps prevent mud from sticking to the soles of the boots, allowing you to focus on doing your job for the team. Made from kangaroo leather, the Premier III are supple and mould nicely to your feet, while a fold-over tongue covers your laces, providing a smoother area with which to strike the ball.
The black version is wonderfully understated when compared with many modern boots, though there are a few more punchy variants available for those that like a splash of colour on their feet when they play.
Key specs – Types available: FG, SG
2. Adidas Copa Mundial: Best football boots with moulded studs
Price when reviewed: £150 | Check price at Adidas
These immensely popular boots are minimalist in design yet effortlessly stylish. In an age where flashy boots are all the rage, wearing these understated beauties is a statement in itself. They’re extremely comfortable thanks to their kangaroo leather uppers and foam mid-soles and their moulded studs mean you can wear them on firm ground and most artificial surfaces.
In our experience, there are normally at least four players in every game we play wearing Copa Mundials and for good reason – they’re exceptional football boots. For those wanting to stand out from others rocking Copa Mundials, Adidas offers the option to personalise the heel of each boot with seven characters of your choice. Just bear in mind that having your name on your boots brings with it the expectation of a certain level of performance.
Key specs – Types available: FG
3. Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite: Best football boots for speed
Price when reviewed: £255 | Check price at Nike
If you’re going to wear a boot as showy as the Mercurial Superfly, then you’re probably going to need a burst of speed to get away from the many Sunday league defenders who will fancy bringing out their roughest sliding tackling to cut you down to size. Fortunately, these boots are built for speed, with a lightweight design that features a stretchy collar for support around the ankle and an ultra-thin upper that helps you control the ball at pace. That last bit is crucial – there’s little point in running so fast that you can’t keep the ball under your spell, after all.
As with Nike’s other boots, the Mercurial range includes options catering to most budgets. The Elite (pictured above) are the most expensive of the bunch, while the Pro and Academy are more affordable alternatives if you can live without the highest quality technologies and materials.
Key specs – Types available: FG, SG, artificial
4. Under Armour Clone Magnetico Elite 3.0: Best football boots for comfort
Price when reviewed: £225 | Check price at Under Armour
We’ve worn a lot of boots in our time but none as comfortable as the Clone Magnetico Elite 3.0. They may feel a little tight initially, especially if you have wide trotters, but the uppers mould to your feet and, once you’ve got a couple of games under your belt, it’s like you’re wearing slippers.
Textured grips on the insteps aid ball control, while the asymmetrical tongue maximises the surface area with which you strike the ball. The studs are moulded to an incredibly light soleplate and distribute weight evenly, provide ample traction on grass and artificial surfaces, meaning you can change direction quickly to get the drop on the oppo.
If luminous red is a little punchy for your tastes, the Clone Magnetico Elite 3.0 are also available in black, though they’re still rather eye-catching thanks to their pearlescent soles.
Key specs – Types available: FG
5. Sokito Devista: Best eco-friendly football boots
Price when reviewed: £150 | Check price at Sokito
Creating a high-quality, handcrafted boot from 56% earth-friendly materials isn’t easy, but Sokito has done exactly that. With each boot containing at least 2.5 recycled bottles, repurposed rubber, and cellulose (100% waste paper fibers), these boots deserve to lift the eco-friendly cup – and they’re also great football boots in their own right.
Although a little snug in the toebox to start out with, the Devistas broke in nicely following three or four runouts. The supple K-Leather on the forefoot provides a flexible and durable upper, while the eco-foam insole delivers a comfortable feel underfoot. Weighing in at only 214g, they’re a treat to play in. They’re lightweight on the feet, offering a natural feel and good stability during quick turns, sprints, close-quarter passing and control.
A nod to the early Adidas Predators, the attention to detail and top-end craftsmanship make the Devistas a fresh face on the block. What’s more, if you recycle your old boots with Sokito you’ll receive £20 off your new pair.
Key specs – Types available: FG, SG
6. Pantofola d’Oro Lazzarini Tongue Combi: Best football boots for classic style
Price when reviewed: £140 | Check price at Pro:Direct Soccer
Pantofola d’Oro translates as “golden slipper”, which should give you an idea of the comfort involved with their boots. They come in a variety of styles and colours, but it’s hard to beat all-black for a classic design.
It’s not all about looks, though. The fold-over tongue, secured by elastic, covers the laces to help you strike the ball cleanly, and the combination of firm and soft ground studs makes the Lazzarini Combi a great versatile option for amateur-level grass pitches – as long as it’s not extremely muddy or rock hard.
Key specs – Types available: FG/SG