We've tasked our experts with finding the very best football boots and located some of the best deals, too. So, if you're looking for the best football boots in 2026, look no further: we've reviewed the latest releases from Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance and plenty more of the best brands.
With so many football boots on the market right now, it's important to know what you're looking for. The best football boots are now tailor-made for specific roles on the pitch – defenders, midfielders and strikers are all catered for – but also for specific players, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Bukayo Saka having trademark boots of their own.
Whether you'd like something comfy for your weekly five-a-side pick up game, or you take football boots a little more seriously and need a pair of the greatest football boots of all time, we've got your back… and by that we mean your feet, of course.
The best football boots
The quick list
The Nike Phantom 6 refines the best features of its predecessors, combining balanced GripKnit technology with a comfortable, wide-foot accommodating fit and an improved, stiffer outsole, establishing it as the best Phantom model in years.
The Sokito Scudetta is an eco-friendly boot that achieves cutting-edge performance and traditional comfort using a non-stretch synthetic quarter and soft Biovamp synthetic leather, offering quality comparable to major brands at a significantly lower price.
The adidas Copa Pure 3 Elite is considered the best in its line, successfully merging a traditional feel with modern, lightweight features. It also offers appreciated padding for defensive players.
The Skechers SKX 2 is among the most improved boot on the market, featuring a wonderfully soft, thin upper with subtle stickiness and texturing designed for control players. Additional features include flexible outsole and diamond studs.
The Nike Phantom 6 Elite is a strong contender for the best release of the year, combining softer, grippier GripKnit with a comfort-focused, wide-foot accommodating build and an improved, stiffer Cyclone 360 outsole for enhanced stability.
The Nike Phantom 6 is the best wide-fitting football boot on the market, offering a snug, adaptive fit with a wide heel, excellent sensory feel due to the GripKnit upper, and a stable Cyclone 360 soleplate, requiring virtually no break-in time.
Puma remains ahead in the market by offering the women's specific Ultra 6, which features a lower instep and volume, plus a specialized soleplate for enhanced rotational support to address common female knee injuries.
The Mizuno Alpha 2 is considered the best boot for speed, featuring a thin synthetic upper for an explosive, barefoot touch and zero glide technology lining, which provides extreme lockdown for a weightless feel.
The New Balance Furon V8, which belongs to the speed boot category, should not be overlooked as it is arguably the most comfortable on the market due to its superb, slipper-like Hypoknit upper and soft heel, offering a lightweight playing experience.
Best overall
The Nike Phantom 6 builds on the GX 1 and GX 2 models that it follows, combining some of the best bits of both to create one of the top releases of the year.
Visually, the boot is very similar to the hugely popular GX 1 with its two-piece construction. The sticky GripKnit is found in the top layer and this remains one of the stars of the show. The GripKnit here is softer in texture than the slightly rougher offering from the GX 2 and feels slightly grippier on the ball. The off-centered lacing creates a large strike zone that will appeal to strikers and Nike have included a dedicated strike area, with more dramatic grip to impact swerve and dip. It will not necessarily have a significant impact on the ball but is a nice addition.
The outsole features an updated version of the Cyclone 360 plate first seen on the Phantom Luna and then the GX 2. The plate is slightly stiffer with some extra studs in the midfoot and generally feels better than its predecessor, which was a little over-flexible and therefore lacked stability.
Just as with the two previous Phantom models, the Phantom 6 is comfortable out of the box and accommodating for those with wider feet. Nike has been on a good run with the Phantom over the past few years and the Phantom 6 may be the best of the lot.
Best value
Sometimes it’s not about upstaging the biggest names in the game but creating your own unique pathway and letting people gravitate towards you naturally.
That’s exactly what Sokito have done with their eco-friendly approach, which has led to several professional players investing in the brand and giving them one of the best football boots on the market, in the Scudetta.
This boot boasts a synthetic non-stretch quarter for secure lockdown, while the forefoot is made from soft and lush synthetic leather called biovamp, which helps provide a traditional, cushioned touch on the ball. The boot's sleek design mixed with traditional feel gives you the best of two worlds. This is Sokito’s halo boot and competes in quality and performance with rivals from some of the big brands, while costing a fraction of the price. While most boots in this tier cost £220 upwards, the Scudetta comes in at a humble £175.
The boot is also comfortable after a bit of break-in and an aggressive stud pattern of bladed studs to provide traction and a responsive feel off the ground. Another stand-out feature from the boot is that it's made mostly from recycled and bio-based materials, so not only does it provide cutting-edge performance on the field, it does its part to cut down the carbon footprint from regular football boot production.
If you’re after a boot that offers amazing performance and comfort, but is cheaper than other elite models, then the Scudetta is a great option.
Best for goalkeepers
Although any boot can be worn by players in any position, it’s important to also understand certain qualities each one should provide - and the Adidas Copa Pure 3 is a great choice for goalkeepers out there.
The boot combines calf leather forefoot pods with a synthetic quarter and uses a textile which Adidas calls Fusionskin, a mesh that combines soft leather with synthetic. The soft leather forefoot helps provide a traditional no-nonsense cushioned touch on the ball, while the synthetic quarter provides structure and lockdown, which is very important when you need to make explosive lateral movements when diving to make saves.
Not only that, but the boot fits snug to your feet and is incredibly comfortable once fully broken in. The boot is also accompanied by Adidas’s Comfortframe outsole, which is filled with round conical studs to help with comfort, stability and mobility.
Best for defenders
As its name suggests, the Adidas Copa Pure 3 is the third in the Pure line after the first and second iterations were released in quick succession in 2023. The 3 is arguably the best, building on some of the strengths of its predecessors and creating a modern Copa worthy of its hallowed name.
The upper is made of Fusionskin, with much of the natural leather here concentrated towards the forefoot. It is in this area that the boot really excels with the padded upper providing a nice, cushioned touch. Though the upper softens once broken in, it is comfortable out of the box and has a simplicity that may be appreciated by defenders. Though very few boots will do much in the way of ‘protection’, the extra padding on these in comparison to most options on the market is likely to be attractive to defensive-minded players.
The Copa Pure 3 does fit a little differently in terms of length compared to the past few models, coming up slightly longer, so this is something to be wary of. The outsole is comfortable and flexible, featuring mostly rounded studs with a few blades around the midfoot for that extra bit of traction.
The Copa Pure 3 does a great job of offering a traditional experience but with a lighter, more modern twist. Any no-nonsense Copa Mundial loyalist looking to take baby steps into the world of modern football boots could do a lot worse than to start here.
Best for midfielders
The Skechers SKX represented the brand’s first foray into the world of elite football boots in 2023 before having a very subtle facelift midway through its life cycle. Though it was a good boot that was well received, the leap forward with the SKX 2 makes this perhaps the most improved model on the market.
The upper is wonderfully soft and flexible out of the box, requiring no break-in at all. It is thin enough to give the kind of one-on-one feeling with the ball that creators will relish but does not lack for structure. The upper also has a subtle stickiness to offer some extra grip on the ball, with the PSC texturing seeking to aid touch. The SKX 2 is Skecher’s ‘control’ boot, aimed at those who enjoy getting on the ball, and the overall package lends itself well to that. It is built in a way that provides very few distractions, allowing you to concentrate on what matters.
The soleplate is brought forward from the first generation of the SKX and features mainly diamond-shaped studs that offer a balance between rotational support and an extra little bit of bite. The outsole overall is more on the flexible side. Skechers continue to go from strength to strength in the very early stages of their football boot journey.
Best for strikers
The Nike Phantom 6 Elite builds on the GX 1 and GX 2 models that it follows, combining some of the best bits of both to create one of the top releases of the year.
Visually, the boot has a lot of similarity to the hugely popular GX 1 with its two-piece construction. The top layer is where the sticky GripKnit is found and this remains one of the stars of the show. The GripKnit here is softer in texture than the slightly rougher offering from the GX 2 and feels slightly grippier on the ball. The off-centered lacing creates a large strike zone that will appeal to strikers and Nike have included a dedicated strike area with more dramatic grip to impact swerve and dip. It will not necessarily have a significant impact on the ball but is a nice addition.
The outsole features an updated version of the Cyclone 360 plate first seen on the Phantom Luna and then the GX 2. The plate is slightly stiffer with some extra studs in the midfoot and generally feels better than its predecessor, which felt a little over-flexible and therefore lacked stability.
Just as with the two previous Phantom models, the Phantom 6 is comfortable out of the box and accommodating for those with wider feet. Nike has been on a good run with the Phantom over the past few years and the Phantom 6 may be the best of the lot.
Best for wide feet
Finding a good pair of football boots for wide-footed players can be a nightmare. However, the Nike Phantom 6 is currently the best on the market.
Its wide heel and the new last give the boot a more snug and adaptive fit for players with wider feet. The boot boasts many great features, including the GripKnit upper which provides more grip on the ball when dribbling and striking. This offers a very sensory and responsive feel. The other key feature of the boot is the Cyclone 360 soleplate which is meant to reduce the force on your knees when pivoting, but if it’s not your cup of tea the Artificial Ground option also performs well on grass.
The Phantom 6 is truly a unique boot that offers comfort, a good feel for the ball, snug fit and is very accommodating for players with wide feet. They are ready to be used straight out of the box as the soft and pliable heel and upper ensures little to no break-in time.
Best for women
Puma continue to lead the major players in the market in terms of offering a dedicated boot for female players. As with the unisex version, the Puma Ultra 6 features minimal updates from the Ultra 5 - but this is no bad thing, as this was a boot that needed little improvement.
The boots feature a lower instep and lower volume than the unisex version as well as a soleplate geared towards better rotational support, with female players significantly more susceptible to serious knee injuries than men. All of the great tech on the unisex version is also present here with the soft and subtly grippy GripControl pro upper and lightweight build.
Though this is an area of the market that still needs drastic progress, Puma’s selection for women remains the best and the Ultra remains the leading boot on offer from the brand.
Best for speed
When it comes to speed boots currently on the market, the Mizuno Alpha 2 tops the table.
The Alpha 2 is packed with tech that anyone who prefers speed boots would look for. It has a thin synthetic upper for a barefoot touch on the ball, a soleplate featuring Mizuno’s Enerzy tech and a karvo insert in the forefoot to provide a responsive and explosive off-the-mark feel, but the star of the show is the lining of the boot and insole which uses Mizuno's zero-glide technology. This will be the grippiest material you will ever feel in a football boot and will keep your feet locked in.
These things combine to provide a boot that feel weightless on your feet while still providing a top-tier playing experience. Not only does it tick all the boxes of what you’d want in a speed boot, it excels in every category.
There are two versions of the boot, the MIJ and the Elite. The MIJ is much pricier but the elite is also a great option as it’s much cheaper and doesn’t provide as much zero glide as the MIJ, which seem like overkill to some. Although they don't look like big players when stood next to Nike and Adidas, Mizuno have created a name for themselves as perfectionists with great attention to detail and quality, with the Alpha 2 a great example.
Best for comfort
When it comes to football boots, New Balance might not be the first name that springs to mind - but the Furon V8 shouldn’t be overlooked as it’s the most comfortable cleat on the market.
The superb comfort of the boot stems from its Hypoknit upper, which just melts on your foot and feels like you’re wearing slippers. This comfort is complimented by a super soft heel allowing for an easy and blister-free break-in. The boot also boasts asymmetric lacing for a bigger and cleaner strike vamp and an aggressive and responsive soleplate.
When it comes to offering a distraction-free, lightweight and comfortable playing experience, then the Furon V8 is the ultimate choice. The model falls under the speed category of football boots so faces a lot of formidable competition but when it comes to general comfort, it stands above the rest. Your feet will thank you if you choose the New Balance Furon V8.
How we test football boots
Here at FourFourTwo, our boot testing procedure is all about getting boots on our feet and personally trying them where it matters - out on the pitch in kickabouts, training sessions and matches. Our writers don't just test each pair once, but review over a number of weeks, in various playing conditions. This is done in order to get a proper idea of what they're like, and where a boots strengths and weaknesses lie.
This helps us decide which boots are better suited for firmer or softer ground, what level of traction they offer and how else they're geared towards improving a player's game.
We're passionate about football boots and regularly attend launch events and Q&As looking to get as much information as possible from manufacturers and designers before we begin.
All of our reviews are honest (despite working with brands, nobody can "buy" a good review from us) As ever, we always have real footballers in mind when giving our recommendations.
How to choose the best football boots
The modern day football boot market can be a bit of a minefield, with an array of options available while brands champion their latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and never miscontrolling a ball ever again.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits your own game and style of play. Here are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...
Leather or synthetic
The material of the upper is a vitally important factor to consider when looking at what pair of boots suits you best. There was a time back in the day when the vast majority of boots were made from natural leather. But these materials are slowly being phased out by many brands in favour of man-made options.
However, some ample leather options are still on the market. Leather offers a traditional fit, naturally moulding to the shape of your feet. It is also offers greater durability as well as being soft and pliable.
Most synthetic uppers are slightly thinner and offer less padding than their natural leather counterparts. On the plus side they offer a much closer connection to the ball. In fact, the thinnest synthetics will provide players with a close to barefoot feel.
You can also look at an option somewhere in middle, with a leather-imitating synthetic that represents a nice in-between. Although these boots are often more lightweight than natural leather, they do provide much of the same comfort and pliability.
Soleplate
The soleplate is where the bulk of the technology of a cleat lives, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a pair.
‘Speed’ boots, such as the Nike Mercurial range, feature responsive, aggressive outsoles with high levels of traction, but more traditional pairs, such as the Copa Mundial or the Nike Tiempo, are slightly lower tech and the soleplates concentrate more on comfort under foot than raw speed.
There is also surface to consider. If you play exclusively on artificial turf then an Artificial Ground (AG) specific soleplate is the best option, whereas if you are playing on turf every week then a Firm Ground (FG) pair is the best bet when it is relatively dry and a Soft Ground (SG) when it is wet or slippery.
Getting the right fit
We would always recommend trying a pair in person before making a final purchase when boot shopping. This is because making sure your boots are the perfect length and width is key.
Pairs of the same size can often vary slightly in length across models and between brands. So it's important to try a pair on in order to know whether it is better to go a half size up or down for a particular pair or brand.
Always consider the shape of your feet when looking for a pair. There is a vast difference between boots that are narrow and those that naturally mould to the shape of your foot over time. Know which end of the spectrum you're at.
Boots that are very narrow will not suit anyone with wide feet and likewise very wide fitting pairs can sometimes feel slightly awkward on the pitch for those with a narrower foot.
This is especially important when considering a pair of laceless boots. Yes you won't have to mess around tying them up on a cold, muddy winter morning, however, the lack of laces means there is very little adaptability. Naturally, they will either work for your feet or they won’t.
Best Football Boots: FAQs
What is the best football boot?
Typically, Messi wears Adidas boots and has previously worn his own signature line of boots. Currently, though, Messi is mostly wearing the F50 line of Adidas boots, and he has had an affiliation with the F50s dating back to the early stages of his career.
What type of boot is best for football?
The best brand of football boot largely comes down to personal preference, but in our guide, Nike manufactures almost half of the best options out there, including the best overall, the Nike Phantom 6. Adidas make two of the best boots out there, as well as New Balance, Puma and Sokito. Generally, major boot manufacturers like Adidas, Nike and Puma are reliable for good quality football boots.
Is Elite or Pro better in football boots?
Elite models are generally the top-end models. This means that they are made to be the best with the best materials, features and technologies. Pro models typically represent a markdown in quality, but they often come at a lower price point and can, in some cases, offer better value for money.
Are Nike or Adidas boots better?
The answer to this is purely subjective, and it comes down to personal preference. There's no doubt that Nike and Adidas are two of the very best football boot manufacturers out there, and represent several in our guide. Whoever makes better football boots will depend on your foot shape, what you're looking for in a boot and individual needs and preferences.
A football shirt and boot aficionado, Lolade Jinadu has over 40,000 followers on Instagram and a vast collection of football boots. With all kinds of equipment ranging from retro to brand-new releases and one-off special edition boots, Lolade has tested hundreds of football boots over the years from a range of brands, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the market.
Why you can trust FourFourTwo We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
