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Kick off: 10 best football boots 2013/14
There are hundreds of different styles, but which pair of football boots best suit your needs on the pitch? Here's our pick of the best
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Your support makes all the difference.1. Adidas F50 Adizero TRX
The unrivalled king of the football boots. The F50 weighs in at just 153g, making it a firm favourite for those who rely on speed and agility as the base of their game. Made out of a hybridtouch synthetic leather material, the F50 has a MiCoach sensor chip – or brain – nestled under the inner sole, which allows data to be sent to tablet, MAC or PC. If it’s good enough for Lionel Messi, it’s good enough for us.
£160, adidas.co.uk
2. Puma PowerCat 1
The PowerCat's soft feel and lightweight style means that the shape will form around your foot, giving extra strength when shooting thanks to the Kangaroo leather upper and double density 3D PUMA PST. Previously, one downside was that the boot only came in pink or white - not quite to everyone's taste. Puma have now addressed the issue and released this new colour combo.
£165, shop.puma.co.uk
3. Concave Quantum 1
The Quantum 1 is both soft and comfortable, and Concave have gone with the unusual ploy of covering the laces which is said to allow a player to ‘cup’ the ball as they strike it. Unfortunately, Concaves have become a rare sight outside of Australia. We think, going on this boot, they deserve more of a showing.
£125, prodirectsoccer.com
4. Joma Super Copa
The Spanish boot makers may not be that well heard of, but the celebratory ‘Super Copa’, which recognises the history of the Spanish Super Cup, is real competition to the likes of the Predator and Vapor. At a snip of the price too.
£65, prodirectsoccer.com
5. Adidas Copa Mundial
No boot top 10 would be complete without the tried-and-tested Copa Mundial. Having stood the test of time since the 1970s, the Copa Mundial has been a firm favourite with amateurs and pros alike. Coming in around the middle of the park in terms of price, they're affordable and reliable.
£130, adidas.co.uk
6. Mizuno Morelia Neo
The Japanese sportswear makers have hit the nail on the head with the Morelia Neo range. Going with good old fashioned leather, this boot is built with one thing in mind – speed. Slightly heavier than the best available (but still at a featherweight 170g), this fiery orange and blue colourway will stand out on the pitch
£130, mizuno.eu/en
7. Nike Mercurial Vapor IX
Using a super-light synthetic surface ('Teijin', in case you're interested), along with a leather grain allows a comfortable yet agile fit. The Vapor has a unique stud placement which allows extra grip when changing direction, as demonstrated regularly by Cristiano Ronaldo. One problem – if you want it personalised like the famous CR7, a pair will set you back a whopping £200.
£160, store.nike.com
8. Nike Premier
Not one for all the colour and razzmatazz of modern day boots? Then the Premier is the one for you. Simple, basic, and does the job, the Premier is a throwback to the old days. And at £100, the price is considerably less than most of its rivals.
£100, store.nike.com
9. Adidas Predator LZ
Using a SprintFrame chassis (lightweight, yet supportive), the Predator has stood the test of time to remain at the top of the market for nearly 20 years. The latest incarnation, the ‘Lethal Zone’, has differing geometric patterns across the surface which allow extra power and control where required. We’re not too crazy about the latest ‘Samba’ pink colour scheme though.
£170, adidas.co.uk
10. Puma King SL
Fast, lightweight and comfortable, the King SL does everything a modern day pair of boots should. Using premium microfibre upper material and with a flexible outsole, the King SL provides agility and sustainability. The white and red colour scheme is a firm favourite among its wearers.
£155, shop.puma.co.uk