Do football boots REALLY make a differnce?

Fittle · 24-02-2011 04:52PM #1

Hey all...we just saw the new Messi (orange) boots in Lifestyle..the ones that wouldn't crack a popadom they're so light;) (I think Nani was wearing them last night too) And it got me wondering if your football boots make a real difference to your game?

Maybe at professional level they do - and I suppose if someone is paying you millions to wear them, it makes a difference :rolleyes:- but there was a queue of 20yr old lads paying a small fortune for them in that shop today....

And it got me wondering if the advertising ploy worked on them or if their game will actually improve whilst wearing them....
Thanks

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 24-02-2011 04:59PM

IMO yes, you have to feel comfortable in your boots. And there's a big difference in some boots, for example Vapours and T-90's

KeithAFC · 24-02-2011 05:00PM

Yep. Bendtner has pink boots. If he had black boots, might score more goals.

PiE · 24-02-2011 05:03PM

THFC wrote: »

IMO yes, you have to feel comfortable in your boots. And there's a big difference in some boots, for example Vapours and T-90's

I think comfort is different to what's being asked - you need to be comfortable in any sport.

Whether having boots made of cutting edge material / technology etc makes a difference to your game or not - well no. Of course not. It's just one gimmick after another designed to make you think you could be better with them than without.

I'm sure all the professionals would wear their standard World Cups/Puma Kings/whatever if they weren't being paid millions to wear the newer boots.

OhNoYouDidn't · 24-02-2011 05:04PM

Fittle wrote: »

Hey all...we just saw the new Messi (orange) boots in Lifestyle..the ones that wouldn't crack a popadom they're so light;) (I think Nani was wearing them last night too) And it got me wondering if your football boots make a real difference to your game?

Maybe at professional level they do - and I suppose if someone is paying you millions to wear them, it makes a difference :rolleyes:- but there was a queue of 20yr old lads paying a small fortune for them in that shop today....

And it got me wondering if the advertising ploy worked on them or if their game will actually improve whilst wearing them....
Thanks

They do. Like any shoe, if it fits properly and you are comfortable in them, you are more likely to perform well and less likely to get blisters and strains.

Whether the most expensive boot is the one to do that is moot. You can get Addidas Predator boots for €30 that will odds on do the job for a kid. Do for me. Puma Kings have been around since the 70's and are still the global top seller.

Eirebear · 24-02-2011 05:07PM

To a certain extent, yes.

Comfort and fit are obviously of great importance to any player, no matter what level. There is also the added confidence of feeling good about your equipment. I mentioned it a while back in the thread about cleaning your boots - if you care about your gear it helps a lot.

However it is more important at proffesional levels, and probably even more at the very top, where the slightest advantage gained is important.

Remember though, the "messi" boots your son might go and save his money for are production line boots, all the same, all standard.
Messi;s version are made specifically for him, shaped for him and moulded to fit his feet.

There is a huge difference.

SM01 · 24-02-2011 05:26PM

If they do a reasonable impression of the average football boot and are comfortable then the qualitative tweaks and advances the big manufacturers push don't really add much to your game (IMO).

I reckon that unless you're playing at a very high-end, there's other areas you can work on that will vastly improve your game rather than buying high-end boots.

Dolph Starbeam · 24-02-2011 05:36PM

Comfort and lightness are the main things to look for, also stud type depending on what type of pitches you are playing on makes quiet a big difference, you need to be able to get good grip and not slide all over the place, some blades etc imo seem to pick up a lot of mud when playing on soft pitches and makes the boots really heavy. They should in your sport shop be able to tell you what should suit him best.

I would also go for a bigger brand like Adidas, Nike, Puma etc over the cheaper brands, Adidas and Nike both make there boots at different levels so you don't need to spend a fortune on the top version, you can go for the lower priced version which are still a very good boot. I remember as a kid i bought a pair of Umbro's and they tore the feet of me after playing in them once, i've never even looked at Umbro boots since then, but that could just be my feet, get him to try on as many pairs as he can in the shop to get the pair that feel most comfortable.

Fittle · 24-02-2011 05:37PM

Eirebear wrote: »

To a certain extent, yes.

Comfort and fit are obviously of great importance to any player, no matter what level. There is also the added confidence of feeling good about your equipment. I mentioned it a while back in the thread about cleaning your boots - if you care about your gear it helps a lot.

However it is more important at proffesional levels, and probably even more at the very top, where the slightest advantage gained is important.

Remember though, the "messi" boots your son might go and save his money for are production line boots, all the same, all standard.
Messi;s version are made specifically for him, shaped for him and moulded to fit his feet.

There is a huge difference.

He got Ronaldo's (ugly looking, white with black specks) boots for Christmas so he won't be getting these ones!!!

What's the importance of them being so light though? We did feel the difference in weight in these messi ones and other boots in the shop...they are incredibly lighter...would they make a difference to your game being so light??

dahat · 24-02-2011 05:49PM

Slightly off topic here but regarding astro boots..

Is it possible to get a nike air max astro boot?ya see i suffer from flat feet and arthritis n air max really help me in day to day wear so getting an astro turf air max would be just smashing...........

amiable · 24-02-2011 05:49PM

Fittle wrote: »

He got Ronaldo's (ugly looking, white with black specks) boots for Christmas so he won't be getting these ones!!!

What's the importance of them being so light though? We did feel the difference in weight in these messi ones and other boots in the shop...they are incredibly lighter...would they make a difference to your game being so light??

They wouldn't make a huge difference for a young boy but as you get older the more comfortable your feet are the more at ease you are playing.
Puma Kings were the best in my day

OhNoYouDidn't · 24-02-2011 05:50PM

The theory is twofold.

1: You are 'closer' to the ball and playing a more intuitive game.

2: Less weight means you can run longer as you are, well, carrying less weight.

Obvioulsy the higher the standard the more these degrees matter.

Lighter boots do offer less protection though.

Ultimatley you have to try and convince the tyke to go with comfort over fashion.

partyndbs · 24-02-2011 05:50PM

dunno well kinda because having slick boots adds to your confidence and normally you play in boots that match your style

nike vapours-skillful fast
preds(me)-central midfield passer
puma/umbro-no talent hacks hit ball long all the time

stovelid · 24-02-2011 05:52PM

Opening up people's calves with plimsolls or a ballet slipper just isn't the same.

mikemac · 24-02-2011 05:53PM

Back when I was in school I remember the almighty hype over Addidas Predators.
The must have of the time, maybe your Messi boots are todays equivalent.

But a quick google check shows they've been updated and renamed eleven times since then.

Get your son the most comfortable boots, not the ones with the best marketing

Eirebear · 24-02-2011 05:55PM

partyndbs wrote: »

dunno well kinda because having slick boots adds to your confidence and normally you play in boots that match your style

nike vapours-skillful fast
preds(me)-central midfield passer
puma/umbro-no talent hacks hit ball long all the time

L.O. ****ing L.

amiable · 24-02-2011 05:56PM

feelingstressed wrote: »

Back when I was in school I remember the almighty hype over Addidas Predators.
The must have of the time, maybe your Messi boots are todays equivalent.

But a quick google check shows they've been updated and renamed eleven times since then.

Get your son the most comfortable boots, not the ones with the best marketing

I think my quoting Puma King boots shows i'm older that you:D
It wasn't til the predators came out that i could afford the King

parker kent · 24-02-2011 06:13PM

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

The theory is twofold.

1: You are 'closer' to the ball and playing a more intuitive game.

2: Less weight means you can run longer as you are, well, carrying less weight.

Obvioulsy the higher the standard the more these degrees matter.

Lighter boots do offer less protection though.

Ultimatley you have to try and convince the tyke to go with comfort over fashion.

I'd agree with this. I would add an emphasis on the less protection aspect to lighter boots too.

Fittle · 24-02-2011 06:13PM

Thanks lads;)

Are the actual 'studs' better/worse than those plastic built-in studs that are on the ronaldo/messi boots? I would have thought actual steel studs give you more grip...

Steel studs don't seem as popular at younger matches anyway..from what I've seen...is there a difference

OhNoYouDidn't · 24-02-2011 06:18PM

Fittle wrote: »

Thanks lads;)

Are the actual 'studs' better/worse than those plastic built-in studs that are on the ronaldo/messi boots? I would have thought actual steel studs give you more grip...

Steel studs don't seem as popular at younger matches anyway..from what I've seen...is there a difference

I personally find the blades a bit better myself. Easier to turn in and all that.

But when you are up to your knees in muck, there is a not to be said for the old screw ins

Eirebear · 24-02-2011 06:25PM

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

I personally find the blades a bit better myself. Easier to turn in and all that.

But when you are up to your knees in muck, there is a not to be said for the old screw ins

There is a theory that blades are pretty tought on the knees as they can get caught up in mud, grass, uneven surfaces when turning.

I'd say stick to the studs at any level where you dont know the pitches.

Desire to Aspire · 24-02-2011 06:26PM

You can't beat the Adidas Predators if you ask me. I've been getting them my whole life and I've no complaints. They're not as light as the boots you're talking about, but they offer more protection, and it's not as if you'll struggle to run with the weight or anything.

Dempsey · 24-02-2011 06:44PM

I had a pair of Adidas F50's and I suffered alot of foot injuries while using them, have since changed to puma powercats and I dont suffer from those problems anymore.

I wouldnt recommend ultra lightweight boots to anyone, always go for comfort and protection.

Do extra training to compensate for heavier boots! :pac:

Paul Tergat · 24-02-2011 06:54PM

Its exactly the same as a kid wanting branded clothing. The only reason they want it is cause everyone of their mates has them and they want to fit in. The brands are more expensive but in reality are no different to what non-branded clothing is. What is actually important is having clothes that fit them!

Same with boots imo. They want the flashy ones to copy their stars but in reality all thats needed is something that fits well.

Having said that, nobody wants their kid not to fit in :P

Fittle · 24-02-2011 07:06PM

p_larkin99 wrote: »

Its exactly the same as a kid wanting branded clothing. The only reason they want it is cause everyone of their mates has them and they want to fit in. The brands are more expensive but in reality are no different to what non-branded clothing is. What is actually important is having clothes that fit them!

Same with boots imo. They want the flashy ones to copy their stars but in reality all thats needed is something that fits well.

Having said that, nobody wants their kid not to fit in :P

Just fyi...today wasn't about me buying those boots for him - not a hope. He got the ronaldo boots for xmas and will wear them until they don't fit him anyomore (about another month I'd say, at the rate he's growing:mad:)...

We (he) just wanted to feel the weight of them to see if the ads were true...but he didn't even ask for them...thought they felt like hard plastic and wasn't very impressed (thank god:P)....

Paul Tergat · 24-02-2011 07:10PM

Fittle wrote: »

Just fyi...today wasn't about me buying those boots for him - not a hope. He got the ronaldo boots for xmas and will wear them until they don't fit him anyomore (about another month I'd say, at the rate he's growing:mad:)...

We (he) just wanted to feel the weight of them to see if the ads were true...but he didn't even ask for them...thought they felt like hard plastic and wasn't very impressed (thank god:P)....

Yeah I got from your post that you werent going to be buying but I was just making the point that at that age its just about a comfortable boot and the branded boots charge crazy amounts for use that you can get from something much cheaper.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 24-02-2011 07:47PM

PiE wrote: »

I think comfort is different to what's being asked - you need to be comfortable in any sport.

Whether having boots made of cutting edge material / technology etc makes a difference to your game or not - well no. Of course not. It's just one gimmick after another designed to make you think you could be better with them than without.

I'm sure all the professionals would wear their standard World Cups/Puma Kings/whatever if they weren't being paid millions to wear the newer boots.

Couldn't disagree with you more on that tbh. I'm not saying that every boot is completely unique and affects your play in an unique way, but there certainly are differences between some boots. T-90s for example, have a relatively wide base (ie where your toes are) while Vapours have a comparatively narrow base. This makes a bit of a difference when shooting/passing in my experience. With vapours there's a very fine line between perfect contact and just slicing he ball out if play. Obviously these are polar opposites in terms of boots but there are slight differences with most boots.
Also, I'm sure the shape and colour of your boots has a minor psychological effect on your play (considering you'd spend a lot of time glancing down at them) I'm not sure if any studies have been conducted in this area but I'd be amazed if I was wrong.

the untitled user · 24-02-2011 08:19PM

Comfort and grip are the main things as said above.

I used to never worry to much about boots, that it was all psychological, but recently I'm beginning to think they do have a subtle effect on playing style.

For example, my old pair of boots used always be handy for making little toe pokes, had a fairly narrow top so used be able to direct them fairly well (great for putting it through keepers legs).

New boots are a bit wider at the front, so it's slightly harder to get direction, find myself missing one on ones a lot more. But on the plus side it's much easier to scoop the ball as a result, so I've found myself playing the little ball over the top a lot more.

eZe^ · 24-02-2011 09:30PM

THFC wrote: »

Also, I'm sure the shape and colour of your boots has a minor psychological effect on your play (considering you'd spend a lot of time glancing down at them) I'm not sure if any studies have been conducted in this area but I'd be amazed if I was wrong.

Apparently Drogba claimed he felt he was receiving the ball more from his team mates when when he was wearing colourful boots instead of standard black ones. Sounds like a crock of sh*t to me tbh.

Eirebear wrote: »

Remember though, the "messi" boots your son might go and save his money for are production line boots, all the same, all standard.
Messi;s version are made specifically for him, shaped for him and moulded to fit his feet.

I was just thinking this the other day, I bought a new pair of boots recently, and I HATE the breaking in period. Blisters all over my feet the first 5 hours of using them. So I always wondered what they did for professionals, as they get a new pair of boots every game right? If they had to use the same ones and us plebs their feet would be destroyed 24/7

Morf · 24-02-2011 09:51PM

eZe^ wrote: »

Apparently Drogba claimed he felt he was receiving the ball more from his team mates when when he was wearing colourful boots instead of standard black ones. Sounds like a crock of sh*t to me tbh.

I was just thinking this the other day, I bought a new pair of boots recently, and I HATE the breaking in period. Blisters all over my feet the first 5 hours of using them. So I always wondered what they did for professionals, as they get a new pair of boots every game right? If they had to use the same ones and us plebs their feet would be destroyed 24/7

The professionals' boots are bespoke.

seafood dunleavy · 24-02-2011 09:53PM

I don't know how people wear F50's or Vapors,they're like slippers.

Do football boots REALLY make a differnce?

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