Men's Football Boots
If you're looking for new or replacement football boots you can choose from the many different styles and brands that we stock at Sportitude. We stock boots from Asics, Nike, Mizuno, and many others. Although most boots are marked as for men, women can easily wear them, but you'll need to order US1.5 size smaller than your normal size (e.g. if you're normally a women's US9, order a US7.5 men's size) for the correct fit.
Football is a general term that covers a huge variety of sports, but the key similarity is that they are all played on an outdoor grass-covered surface. So, if you're playing AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union, or Soccer (or Football for the diehard), you'll need a high-quality football boot to make sure you can play at your absolute best all season. There can be nothing worse than being sidelined due to an injury caused by poorly-fitted or underperforming boots.
How do football boots improve performance?
The majority of football boots are based on similar technical aspects that you'd find in other sports shoes. As football is played on a grassy surface there needs to be an added element for traction to stop players from slipping. Being an outdoor sport, and one that rarely is called off due to weather, the boots need to be adaptable in providing support in dry and wet weather. Football games can easily last up to two hours (playing time and breaks) and the boots need to be comfortable to wear for all of that time.
While playing football, comfort can be supplied through the boot liner. Many boots will come with a moulded sock liner; these are adaptable to some orthotics, but it is best to check with the brand you are purchasing. The manufacturers of modern football boots have spent many years perfecting their products, the stud pattern on the base of the boot will give varying amounts of grip on soil and grasses. Consider the code of football you play when choosing your boots. If you're playing AFL (or soccer) you may need a boot that is suitable for fast turns as the game is played in a multidirectional manner. For rugby (union or league) you'll need a boot that has power for going forward as the game, while it does turnover often, is largely linear.
When choosing your boots, you can consider the track record of the company, Asics, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, and Adidas are some of the most common brands to choose from. These all have established themselves as the football boot of choice. They all have a range of styles and colours to suit any player. You can find a boot for the budget conscious and for those that like to take advantage of the latest technology in footwear.
What material are football boots made from?
An upper of football boots are commonly constructed with two different materials:
- Leather
- Synthetic
While there are differences in how they perform, if you are not that comfortable wearing the boot then you won't be able to take full advantage of what they can do for you.
Leather boots are usually made from two different types of leather, either Kangaroo leather (sometimes marketed as K-Leather) or calf leather. Kangaroo is known as the best leather for football boots, as it moulds easily to your feet and is very soft to the touch, and it holds up well during a punishing game. However, the drawbacks include how easily it takes up water, making the boots heavier in wet conditions.
Synthetic boots were developed to solve the problems of the leather boot. When synthetic uppers were first made, they didn't compare to leather boots, but over time and further development has seen them becoming increasingly popular among players. As synthetic boots don't take up water as fast as leather boots, they can remain lightweight during wet conditions, they are also more likely to maintain their shape and need less maintenance. A synthetic boot is often cheaper than a leather boot, but due to the thinness of the material, it will not last as long.
The other consideration for football boots is the studs. Generally, studs for boots will either be removable or fixed. Using removable studs allows you the possibility of changing out the studs to suit the amount of grip you'll need during the game.
Should football boots be tight?
Correctly fitting football boots should not feel tight, and it should not be loose either. A boot that fits properly should feel comfortable and be easy to run in. To properly fit new boots, you can measure your foot from the heel to toe and then add in the width of your thumb. This will give you enough room for your feet to move and swell as you play without the boots feeling tight. During play, your feet will swell as blood rushes into the muscles. If you don't have enough room then the shoes will quickly become uncomfortable and may cause an injury. On the other hand, if the boot is loose on your foot, you can slip easily and you'll possibly roll your ankle or worse.
The width of the boot is also important to get right, many boots are available in standard, wide, and extra wide (x-wide). You can find the width you'll need by measuring the widest part of your foot. If your shoes are pinching on the sides of your feet, odds are that you're wearing a shoe that is not wide enough, and you should switch to a larger size.
Can you wash football boots?
You can clean most football boots using a soft brush, clean cloth, and some warm water. If your boots have a leather upper you may need to use a special leather cleaner and protectant. To clean your boots, you can follow this guide:
- Start by removing the laces and these can usually be put in a laundry bag and washed in the washing machine in a delicate setting.
- Take your boots and use the soft brush and water to clean the upper, go gentle so you don't damage the boots.
- On the studs, you can brush a little harder to clear all the dirt and debris off.
- After cleaning you can dry with the clean cloth, fill the inside of the boot with balled up paper, and place them aside to completely dry naturally.
- For leather boots, you can finish with some leather balm.
Looking after your football boots will keep them looking great and make them last longer. Although it may be tempting to put your boots in the washing machine for a quick clean, doing this can destroy the boots. At Sportitude we'd recommend never using the washing machine to clean your boots.
At Sportitude you can order any of your boots online, we also stock a large variety of sports shoes, including purpose-made tennis shoes, netball shoes, trail running shoes, and standard running shoes. We have many different brands available including the well-known and highly regarded Brooks shoes. You can also pick from our selection of sports clothing.
For all your men's running shoes and women's running shoes needs, you can buy them directly from our store. We'll ship all over Australia, and for orders over $100, we'll send them free of charge. We have a 30-day return policy, so if the shoes are not suitable after trying them on, you can return them easily.