With the advent of modern football, the type of footwear one wears has become an increasingly prominent aspect. The superstars of world football get customised boots from sportswear giants, tailored to their specifications. Advertising centering on shoes has become the norm, and no sooner does a player gain even a semblance of fame, he is chased by the likes of Nike and Adidas for image rights.
A player’s endorsement of a particular boot from a particular brand may earn him millions of dollars in personal sponsorships. So what does the company gain from spending so much on what the likes of Messi wears? It’s simple really. A particular type of cleats endorsed by Messi, will urge millions of fans across the globe to try and get a pair and ape their idols.
The glitz of modern football is enhanced in a large part by a player’s appearance, and boots are an intrinsic part of that.
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Let us take a look at 20 of the best football cleats available in the market today:
#20 Nike Tiempo Legend VI
In terms of boot design, the Tiempo range from Nike is quite old. The Tiempo series can be thought of as the original superstar of designer boots and it traces its roots back to 1985, when customised boots were still not in vogue.
The Tiempo range attracts footballers who choose comfort over eye-catching design and the boots focus on comfort and control. A couple of changes to the original Tiempo design makes this more attractive.
The vacuum pressed quilting and the microfiber mid-foot cage allow for turns on a sixpence.
Buy it here
#19 Adidas Ace 16+ Primeknit
This pair of boots comes fresh off the design table of Adidas. Unveiled to the world in January 2016, The new Adidas Ace is the most popular pair of boots currently.
With a fresh new look, setting it distinctly apart from another popular pair of boots from the Adidas stable, the Purecontrol, the Primeknit has been grabbing eyeballs recently. A sock-like collar and a knitted upper ensures deft control and a sweet first touch few boots can parallel.
Buy Adidas Ace 15 Primekit here
#18 Puma Evospeed SL II Tricks
Perhaps the most eyeball-grabbing boots on show in 2016 is the Puma Evospeed SL II Tricks. This pair, sported by many legends of the modern game, bears a distinct colour scheme, which is quite loud, and in sync with the tagline for the pair, which is ‘Play Loud’.
Beneath the overtly garrulous colour scheme lie a ton of footwear innovations pioneered by Puma. A significant increase in flexibility, a laser crafted frame for support during sharp turns and nylon outsole for lightness are some of the hallmarks of this pair of boots.
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#17 Nike Hypervenom Phantom II
The Hypervenom Phantom II is one of the latest additions to the Hypervnenom stable. The Phantom II is designed for firm, natural surfaces. Tailored to the requirements of modern strikers, it offers superb agility and an almost barefoot touch.
Flywire cables combine with the Tech Craft collar, resembling a sock, to create a perfect fit and ensure the foot does not move inside the boot. Many of the deadliest finishers of the modern game sport this pair.
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#16 Adidas X Euro 2016
Probably the most sighted pair of boots during Euro 2016, several players who are endorsed by Adidas displayed their skills during Euro 2016 and showcased this pair of boots.
The biggest draw of the Adidas X is its glove-like tech-fit technology which ensures the boot moulds itself around the feet of the wearer, ensuring a perfect fit and reducing discomfort at the first few instances of wear.
A completely re-designed sole plate features studs specifically placed to enhance the acceleration of the wearer.
#15 Joma Super Copa Speed
Despite lacking the deep pockets that Puma, Adidas and Nike possess, Spanish sportswear manufacturer Joma has been quietly churning out excellent football boots at very low prices, compared to their competitors.
Lacking big name endorsements and significant advertising, Joma is not a brand that is particularly well known.
However, the ultra-light Super Copa Speed from the Joma stable can take on any boots produced by the big boys of the sportswear industry.
#14 Adidas Porsche Leather Limited Edition
We often seek something to make us distinct and separate us from the rest of the pack. If individuality with respect to one’s football boots is what one seeks, one should look no further than the Adidas Porsche Leather Limited Edition.
Crafted out of Kangaroo leather, only 1500 pairs of this limited edition model from Adidas exist in the world, and owning one would instantly differentiate a player on the football field.
Buy Adidas Porche shoes here
#13 Nike Mercurial Superfly V
In what can be called as the showstopper pair of boots from the Nike stable, the Mercurial Superfly V is sported by the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial – some of the big guns who endorse Nike, and also three of the fastest and fleet-footed footballers in the modern game.
It is, therefore, no surprise to know that these boots have been tailored for maximum speed and acceleration, and best possible traction during sharp turns.
Buy Nike Mercurial Superfly shoes here
#12 Pantofola d’Oro La Gazzetta
With sportswear manufacturers constantly on the lookout for novel innovations, both in boot design and marketing strategy, Pantofola pulled out the proverbial rabbit out of the hat in 2016.
The little known Italian sportswear manufacturer partnered with Italian newspaper Gazzeta Dello Sport to design a pair of football boots imprinted with headlines from iconic sporting moments in history.
After starting with A.C. Milan, different designs have been added for Inter Milan, Juventus and the Italian national team.
#11 New Balance Furon Pro
This pair of boots seems to be the preferred footwear of speedy wingers. Sported by the likes of Jesus Navas and Adnan Januzaj, the Furon Pro is designed for acceleration and braking in an instant.
Using the lightweight Fantom Fit for upper construction, a combination of a light mesh upper and an ultra-thin synthetic layer in the mid-foot area creates a perfect balance of even weight distribution and stability – requisites for any player plying his trade down the opposition flanks.
#10 Puma EvoPower 1.2
The latest addition to the EvoPower series from Puma, the EvoPower 1.2 comes with a whole host of new innovations in design, along with an affordable price tag.
The Gradual Stability Frame combines with a Pebax outsole and the microfiber Adaplite upper, which is one-way stretchable, to give a sensation akin to kicking barefoot.
The non-stretchable external EverFit cage is placed in the mid-foot region to ensure the requisite rigidity required for the perfect powerful shot.
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#9 Lotto Zhero Gravity VII 200
Lotto has always had a reputation for developing ground-breaking innovations in the field of boot design. The Zhero Gravity series was the first to feature a complete laceless design back in 2002.
The Zhero Gravity VII, however, marks a return to the lace-up design, to make the boots fit better on all foot types.
A re-designed upper, made from a single Kurim shell, ensures power and enhanced ball control, while an elevated foot support and new heel inserts ensure hard impacts on landing are not felt.
Buy Lotto Zhero shoes here
#8 Adidas Messi 15.1
The first boots on our list to feature superstar branding, the Messi 15.1 has been designed keeping in mind the requirements of the Argentinian superstar.
The patented MessiFrame construction technology creates a tight fit and an exposed cage in the heel region allows maximum traction.
Due to Messi being involved in the design process, it is no surprise that this pair is ideal for dribblers who love going on long mazy runs through the opposition’s defence.
Buy it here
#7 Puma evoSPEED SL
The lightest pair of boots to ever come out of Puma’s factories, the evoSPEED SL weighs a measly 103 grams only. An ultra-thin upper, made of proprietary textile gives an almost barefoot feeling while touching the ball.
The added lightness comes with a compromise of durability and these boots are only meant for games on real grass and in fair weather, but a single pair is still not expected to last beyond 10 matches at most.
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#6 Mizuno Wave Ignitus 3
Mizuno have been quietly carving out a niche following for their boots within the footballing fraternity. The Wave Ignitus series has a lot of fans, thanks to numerous novel innovations and, the 3rd installment did not disappoint either.
There are 3 different panels on the instep which perform 3 different functions. One causes unpredictable flight (Mukaiten), the other causes the ball to dip viciously (Tatekaiten) and the 3rd creates more curl on the ball for the kicker (Yokokaiten).
Buy Mizuno Wave shoes here
#5 Nike Tech Craft Tiempo Legend V
Another innovative retake on the classic Tiempo series, the Nike Tech Craft Tiempo Legend V was released in late 2015 and still sells like hot cakes amongst footballers.
Nike has wisely chosen to rely heavily on a proven winner in the Tiempo series, and newer innovations coupled with classic design are a winning formula. The Legend V bears a layer of ‘Tech Craft’, which essentially is a thin layer of leather in the heel area for enhanced ball control.
#4 Joma Super Copa Mundial
Spanish bootmakers Joma feature again, high on the list, thanks to the Super Copa Mundial. The Super Copa Series was developed and released in early 2016 and they are marketed as affordable boots with a high degree of quality and comfort.
The hallmarks of the Super Copa Mundial include higher laces for more area to be made available for kicking the ball, a submarine type design ensuring rigidity of the foot inside the boot and greater traction and grip on wet surfaces.
#3 Warrior Skreamer II
One of the cheapest cleats available on the market right now, the Skreamer II is the first entrant from the house of Warrior on our list. Although the Skreamer II was released in late 2014, it has become a timeless classic, thanks to its affordability coupled with its brilliant design and innovative technology.
Although Warrior got rebranded as New Balance and the Skreamer series went out of production. The premium microfiber upper, precise fit and an arrowhead vamp on the front for greater accuracy, cause the Skreamer II to be still in heavy demand.
#2 Umbro UX Accuro Pro
The tagline of ‘deadly comfort unleashed’ is quite appropriate for the latest boots from the Umbro stable, the UX Accuro Pro.
Super sleek design combined with a whole host of new features such as dedicated touch and strike zones, a lightweight microfiber synthetic upper and a unique ‘pro stance’ soleplate with distinct stud placing which enhances traction.
The focus for the UX Accuro Pro has been firmly on comfort, with no compromises from Umbro in that regard.
#1 Under Armour Spotlight- DreamChaser 2.0
The 1st boots from Under Armour on our list, comes in at first position, thanks to a ton of innovations that simply blows the competition away.
The newly designed Spotlight is limited edition only, and designed around Memphis Depay’s tattoos.
Although it weighs in at 209 grams, the Spotlight DreamChaser feels quite light thanks to an even weight distribution. Shockproof heels make hard landings easy, while cushioned vamps allow for the perfect powerful shot with swerve and dip.
Buy Under Armour Spotlight shoes here
