Selecting the right footy boot can be difficult!
The right pair of boots should be comfortable, improve your performance, support your feet and help minimise the risk of injury occurring.
As Podiatrists we often get asked ‘Which footy boot do I buy?’ The answer is it all comes down the individual and what feels best for them! When looking for the perfect boot, a lot of factors come into play. Feet have different shapes, arches and widths. All feet move differently, and load up different areas of the feet, making some athletes more prone to injury than others. Adding in factors including the intensity of training and what grounds you train on can all add a little more confusion to choosing the right boot. Below I have put together some of my top recommendations which will help choose the perfect footy boot a little easier this season!
Talaria’s top picks include:
#1 Asics Lethal Testimonial 4 IT
This footy boot contains many years of biomechanical research and an array of technological advances in boot construction.
Features include:
– Solyte midsole which enhances cushioning
– Kangaroo leather upper provides better foot feedback to the athlete
– It is also outfitted with HG10mm technology, raising the heel by 10mm, designed to shift the body forward, reducing strain on the lower limb
Suitable for:
• Average to low arches
• D width
• Surface: Football
#2 ASICS Lethal Tigreor IT FF
Features include:
– Lightweight kangaroo leather upper to gently contour the foot for a flexible, supportive fit.
– Oval studs which help enhance grip on harder surfaces to fuel quick reflexes, and provide reliable, responsive traction.
– Features include: HG10mm heel raise technology that works to assist in injury prevention, by reducing strain on the lower limbs and Achilles tendon.
– HG10mm heel raise technology that helps assist in injury prevention, by reducing strains on lower limbs
Suitable for:
• All arch types
• B width
• Surface: Football
#3 ASICS Menace 4 Men’s White Reborn
Features include:
– Extremely lightweight, microfiber upper construction to deliver a weightless, yet supportive fit
– The structure of the boots consists of HG10mm heel raise technology to help players have a forward leaning posture which aids in a powerful strike!
Suitable for:
• All arch types
• D width
• Surface: Football
#4 For wide feet – New balance – Tekela
Features include:
– Kinetic Stitch construction adds support where it’s needed without compromising flexibility
– Microfiber Upper lining – excellent breathability and sweat absorbent, very good strength and abrasion resistant.
– Size 2E – wider than most boots which helps accommodate an orthotic
Suitable for:
• All arch types
• 2E width
• Surface: Football
#5 Narrow feet – Nike Mercurial Vapor
Features include:
– Nikegrip technology provides maximum interior traction underfoot and lightweight cushioning
– Forefoot plate features a Nike Aerotrak zone with angular studs to turf for explosive acceleration with every step.
– NikeGrip technology provides underfoot and lightweight cushioning
Suitable for:
• All arch types
• Narrow width
• Surface: Football
It is important to find the right fit to reduce the risk of injury occurring to the lower limbs and feet.
Qualified Podiatrists can assess your biomechanical gait, muscle strength, lower limb flexibility and strength testing and your activity training loads.
Following these assessments, we’re able to provide you information on appropriate football boots, a personalised rehab program to help reduce any injury to the lower limb, assess and modify your current football boots or help with orthotics if required.
If you have any questions, we look forward to seeing you in the clinic!