SHOOTING STARS

Katie Gregory on the top football boots for budding Messis

As the dark nights draw in and the temperature drops, many of us are once again spending the evening at the side of a football pitch watching our youngsters do their thing.

If you’re looking for the best football boots to kit them out in while they attempt to bend it like Beckham, you’re in luck.

We’ve scoured the shelves to pick out eight styles that will see them right all year round.

When buying football boots for a child, it’s vital to pick a pair that will support their growing feet. Hours of running across a hard surface – particularly in winter – will take its toll on their ankles, shins, and hips if their footwear isn’t up to the job.

Likewise, choosing a boot that’s not designed for the surface they’re playing on can lead to slips and injuries, and can also damage the pitch itself. The outsole – the bit on the bottom of the boot – is designed differently for each surface, so you’ve got a choice of firm ground (FG), soft ground (SG), multi-ground (MG) as well as artificial grass (AG), turf (TT) and indoor boots (IT). If in doubt, ask your football coach what style you need before you buy.

When your child tries them on for size – which is important, because one brand can fit totally differently to the next – make sure they’re wearing their football socks. Although football boots run the same as shoe size, thick football socks can add a fair bit of width.

Once they’re on, pay close attention to the fit – the upper should fit closely to the shape of their foot, the heel should be locked down to the sole, and although a little bit of room in the toe box is fine, don’t be tempted to size up to get your money’s worth. After all, that mini-footballer needs to be able to feel the ball if they’re going to be the next Lionel Messi or Chloe Kelly. Which is what this is all about, right?

How we tested

We tested boots on various pitches in all weathers – often trying the same boot with alternative soles – to compare factors like fit, comfort, durability, and price. We’ve also sought out boots across a range of price points, and these are our top picks – most of which are available for all pitch types.

Adidas Gamemode FG boots: £60, Adidas

Adidas launched its Gamemode boots as a way of encouraging individuality on the pitch, and these bright and bold styles certainly stand out. And the newest style in the junior range is decorated in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever graphics.

Whichever design you choose, everything about these synthetic boots has been engineered to meet the needs of everyday players. The price point is very reasonable, the regular fit and soft upper moulds to a variety of foot shapes, and even the outsole works on both firm ground and artificial grass – saving you from buying two separate pairs if your young footballer regularly switches between the two.

Our tester found them comfortable for hours of play and loved the choice of designs available. They might not be the top choice for pro footballers, but they’re absolutely brilliant all-rounders for kids playing regularly, and available in sizes UK junior 11.5 to UK adult 5.5.

Buy now

Puma ultra match LL FG/AG football boots youth: £56, Puma

We tried both the TT and FG/AG ultra match boots from Puma and both were equally good. The ultra range is designed for speed on the pitch, with a sleek, laceless silhouette and super light upper. A textured grippy finish gives added traction on the ball, and the stretchy collar pulls on easily – so your footballer is straight out on the pitch with no faffing around tying laces.

The FG/AG boots feature Puma’s redesigned speedplate outsole, which has a new stud pattern inspired by running spikes. The turf boots, meanwhile, have specially designed lowprofile studs that grip well on artificial grass and hard natural surfaces. The new World Cup colourway – a blaze of coral and yellow – looks great on the pitch, although there’s also a neon yellow and a black version available. Sizes run from junior 10 to adult 5.5 – just bear in mind they might be a squeeze for wide feet.

Buy now

Adidas X Speedportal+ FG boots: £130, Adidas

Looking for something fancy? These sleek cleats are a brilliant find if you’re willing to splash out. Designed for speed, they have a close-fitting speedskin upper and flexible knitted collar, and unlike some of the laceless styles we tested they’re nice and easy to pull on. The fit is marginally wider than Puma’s ultra match boots (£56, Puma), although they still provide a supple yet supportive fit for average-width feet.

The padding on the heel is superior to all the other boots we tested, which keeps the heel locked down and the boots snugly in place without the need for laces. It also makes them comfortable for lengthier play, so they’re worth the extra splurge for older or more serious players. Last but not least, the metallic silver design is the icing on the cake – in a nutshell, they look as good as they feel.

Buy now

Nike Jr Streetgato IT boots: £54.95, Nike

Part football boot, part trainer, the Nike Jr Streetgato is a great option for indoor games. Style-wise these have a suede upper and a rubber outsole, and they look a lot like street-casual skate shoes. The difference is, the sole has been redesigned to give extra traction – so they’re perfect for impromptu footie matches.

The white sole means these are suitable for indoor sports halls, and our tester found the semi-flexible sole much more comfortable for everyday wear than his more rigid skate shoes. Plus, he was delighted to find the black and white style passed the uniform requirements for school, meaning he’d always be ready for lunchtime matches on the playground. There are also red and white options if you’re not tied to school colours, and sizes run from UK junior 13.5 to UK adult 5.5.

Buy now

Kipsta kids’ high-top agility 500 MG boots: £24.99, Decathlon

If you’re on a tight budget, not sure your budding footballer is actually going to keep at it, or just looking for a pair of cheap football boots for their school PE bag, these Kipsta high-tops are perfect. They look the part on the pitch with fluorescent yellow and blue details, and they’re nice and light to wear. The multiground sole works on both artificial turf and dry grass, so you get even more bang for your buck.

In terms of fit, they’ve been designed with children’s feet in mind – with a wider-than-normal heel and instep to give better support. Our narrow-footed tester did find them a little roomy, but for average feet and younger players, they work well. The laces allow you to adjust the fit to a degree, and sizes run from junior 9.5 up to an adult 5.

Buy now

Adidas X Speedportal Messi.1 FG boots: £85, Adidas

Our testers picked these out as the best football boots based on appearance, and we don’t think it’s just because Messi wears them. White with bright orange and black details, they’re covered – all the way to the insole – in Messi-inspired quotes celebrating the legendary player’s career. And they certainly look pretty flash on the pitch.

Aesthetics aside, this boot has a sleek shape, comfy heel padding, and durable mesh upper – so it’s more than just a pretty face. The stretchy knitted collar gives a snug fit, and the laces add an extra element of adjustability to keep little feet locked in, which is perfect if you’re struggling to get a good fit with laceless boots. Sizes run all the way from a junior 10 to an adult 5.5.

Buy now

Nike Jr Mercurial Vapour 15 club MG boots: £40, Next

Our seven-year-old tester loved being able to put these boots on independently thanks to the quick and easy Velcro fastening. There’s a bit of give so you can get a good fit on a narrow foot, or let it out a little if your child’s feet are wider. Either way, the Velcro seems to last well without losing its grip over time.

Design-wise they’re sleek and simple, and the synthetic-leather upper has textured grip details to give better ball control. Underneath, the plastic plates with moulded studs are designed to work on both real grass and artificial grass pitches, so there’s a bit of flex. This is a good budget version of Nike’s famous mercurial boot for younger players from a junior size 8 to a 13. Plus, you won’t constantly be re-tying their laces.

Buy now

Adidas Predator Edge.3 TT boots: £43, Adidas

Predators have been one of – if not the most well-known names in football boots since the 1990s – so it’s no surprise to see them feature in our line-up. But while there are loads more expensive Predator styles available for all surfaces, it was the Edge.3 turf boots that ticked the box both for excellent grip on artificial turf, and an affordable price tag for occasional players.

Although these boots do have laces, they’re sock style – rather than tongue and laces – and a fairly tight elasticated edge around the collar means they’re quite tricky to get on. Once you’ve squeezed their feet in, though, it’s plain sailing, and the mid-rise on the collar provides an extra bit of support. They fit well, grip well, and last well in all weather. For a turf boot that looks pro without the price tag, these are a reliable option.

Buy now

The verdict

In truth, it was difficult to pick a winner from this impressive line-up, although our vote eventually went to the Adidas Gamemodes boots. They’re a great option for everyday players at a not-astronomical price, and we love the choice of designs for younger kids in particular. Puma’s ultra match boots scored

highly all round, too, and Adidas’ X Speedportal+ boots are our favourites for older or more experienced players.

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