We know you're on the lookout for the best football boots for kids - why else would you be here? Here's where to find the best boots and the best deals.
If your child has outgrown their football boots, through wear and tear, or are simply in desperate need of brand a new pair, then you're in luck as we've detailed the best football boots for kids.
It's essential that children's football boots fit correctly and aren't too battered or bruised, otherwise there could be a detrimental impact on their performance or enjoyment of the game. Fortunately, FFT has been dedicating itself to categorising a range of different boots to make shopping that little bit easier for you. If you're simply looking for the best football boots out right now - or the best boots available for under £100 - be sure to check out our other reviews.
The quicklist
The Predator model in kid's sizes is an excellent choice due to its well-designed MG soleplate, which provides a comfortable ride crucial for developing feet on AG or hard surfaces, and its inclusion of a grippy striking area on the soft upper, showing a focus on comfort and valuable features even in a lower-tier model.
The Nike Mercurial Academy is an excellent, affordable choice for kids, featuring a soft, thin upper that breaks in quickly and offers good texture for ball control, with a better-than-average insole, though the AG outsole is recommended over the overly aggressive FG option.
The adidas Copa Pure Elite III is a great, high-quality leather option for junior sizes, featuring a premium Fusionskin upper and a comfortable, well-padded heel construction, along with a multifunctional soleplate designed with extra studs for superior pressure distribution, making it worth the higher price point.
More models
Nike's Phantom 6 for kids represents a great stride forward, featuring a soft, premium knit upper (previously reserved for elite adult models) that is comfortable out of the box with a short break-in period and a surprisingly versatile fit, complemented by a comfortable soleplate with lowered molded studs and good heel padding.
The Predator FT Elite Kids is the highest quality junior boot available in the smallest sizes, offering premium materials, excellent fit adjustability via its floating tongue, and a functional Strikeskin area for aiding ball spin, which justifies its expensive price.
Best soleplate
One of the best things about adidas’ more recent Predator models in kid’s sizes is their MG (multiground) soleplate. It is well-designed and does a great job of giving the player a comfortable ride when running on AG or harder surfaces.
This is important because as kid’s feet are still growing and developing, they need more comfort than performance-based boots. I also appreciate that adidas made the upper still have the grippy striking area, even on a less expensive model like this as often brands will just put a print on the upper and call it a day. The upper itself is fairly soft, and while it could be a bit better, it is fairly nice overall. However I do appreciate the overall shape and focus on comfort for a boot that leans more on the lower level of boot models.
Best colours
Nike excels at making great takedown models, especially in kid’s boots. This trend continues with the newest Mercurial Academy. The upper is soft, and breaks in quickly. It has some nice texturing on it as well in order to help with ball control. It is also surprisingly thin, as many kid’s boots often have overly thick uppers for comfort, when in reality it can often affect the feel on the ball.
I particularly appreciate the nicer than average insole, which is another thing Nike has done well on their kid’s models for some time now. Another thing that is nice is there always tends to be a lot of colourway options, meaning there is something for almost everyone. It would be nice if the fit was a bit wider, and the FG soleplate is far too aggressive for a kid’s boot.
However, the AG outsole is a great option, and the boot remains a great choice for a lot of kids without being too expensive.
Best Leather
It can often be difficult to find a great leather option in kid’s boots, with many brands not bothering to offer anything a lot of the time. This is the case for the current market, with a lot of great leather boots stopping at a size UK 3 ½ . However, Adidas has offered something really nice and high quality in the form of the Copa Pure Elite III. The Fusionskin leather upper is of a high quality, even better than some offerings in adult boots. There is also a nice heel construction that has a great amount of padding and comfort.
I also like the multifunctional soleplate that has an additional stud added for extra pressure distribution, which adds to the comfort of the soleplate. The Copa Pure III is on the more expensive side for a kid’s boot, but you are getting a premium package for the price point that I would argue feels higher quality than the price you are paying.
I am a big fan of leather boots in general, so I appreciate that Adidas has a high quality option in junior sizes.
Best knit
Nike’s Phantom series has grown in popularity over the past few years and they have recently really made great strides with their newest Phantom 6 model for kids. The upper is a really nice knit material that previously could only be found on their highest end models in adults. It is soft out of the box, and has a short break in period. The overall fit is surprisingly versatile for various foot shapes, with both slightly narrow, and wider foot widths able to feel at home in the boot.
Just do not expect to work if your kid’s feet are overly wide. I am personally not a fan of the Cyclone360 technology at the front of the soleplate, but I do appreciate the lowered height of the molded studs as that means that the soleplate is more comfortable to run in as it distributes pressure better. Another positive for the Phantom 6 in kids is that the heels have some good padding and a good shape to them. While the boots are much more expensive than others on the list, they do feel like a premium product, and again the knit upper is really nice.
Best appearance
It’s a Predator with a tongue, it has to be on the list. An iconic look on a kids boot, the Predator FT Elite Kids is a high quality option for a junior boot. The materials feel premium and it does not feel like Adidas looked for spots to try and save money, as often can be the case with kid’s boots.
It is very expensive, but it does feel like you are getting what you paid for. The floating tongue allows for a lot of adjustability in the fit, so a good variation of foot shapes can fit in the boot. I do wish the AG option was available in kids, and I do think the heel could use more cushioning (the same could be said for the adult models). At the same time, the boots are fun for kids to play in as the Strikeskin area not only helps with kids trying to put more spin on the ball, but offers a nice visual guide to show the kids where to strike the ball.
The Predator Elite FT Kids is the highest quality boot available in the smallest kids sizes, and I appreciate that it exists.
How we test football boots
We put every pair through its paces across several sessions on all surfaces to determine their true level of performance. We mark them on key factors including comfort, stability, fit and feel. This also allows us to balance them against the claims from brands on new features and the latest technology.
We will always test thoroughly to see just how accurate each claim really is. Each pair we review is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes football boots, and therefore can cut through the marketing minefield and provide simple yet detailed advice for players of all levels.
In depth knowledge of the market means that factors that are important to consumers like value for money will always be flagged.
How to choose the best football boots
The football boot market can be tricky to navigate at the best of times, with an array of options available and brands championing the latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and controlling a ball with inch-perfect precision.
Ultimately, your choice of boot should come down to what best suits you and your game. Below are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...
Leather or synthetic
When trying to work out what pair of football boots suits your child best, the material of the upper is a vitally important factor to consider. In years gone by virtually all boots were made from natural leather, but these materials are slowly being phased out by many brands in favour of lighter, synthetic options.
With leather not as common, leather-imitating synthetics have taken precedence in that area of the market. Often lightweight, these still retain a great level of comfort and pliability that leather offers. But they will also look to provide the same close-touch to the ball that ultra lightweight synthetic materials do.
Styling
This is the area of perhaps the greatest range for players, with something for everyone. Most brands will offer pairs that offer a simpler, more traditional look and also extravagant designs that are flashy and colourful.
Regardless of your own style, there are a range of pairs to complement it perfectly, giving you a unique image on the pitch.
Soleplate
Soleplates often feature an array of different designs and technologies, with brands attempting to produce in the most-innovative ways possible to deliver performance.
‘Speed boots', such as Nike's Mercurial range, will 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 focuses more on comfort under foot than all-out speed.
It is also worth considering the surface you normally play on. If you play exclusively on artificial ground 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
Getting your child to try on a pair first before purchasing is something we'd highly recommend. This is because brands often vary in sizing. For example, what might be perfect in Adidas boots could well prove too small in an option from Nike.
Ensuring correct sizing is a must, because if they're not there's the potential for a negative affect on performance. Too tight and there's potential for causing foot trauma; too loose and blisters might flare up as your child's foot slides around in the boot.
Plus, foot shape is highly personal. Some boots are particularly narrow and will be unsuitable for players with wider feet. Equally, wider-fitting boots can feel slightly awkward for those with narrow feet.
This is especially important if considering a pair of laceless boots as the lack of laces means there is very little adaptability – they will either work for your child's feet or they won’t.
FAQs
How do I choose football boots for kids?
Some key factors to consider when buying include the sizing and fit of the boot. It's ideal to have a snug fit so it feels comfortable and offers support to your child, allowing them to enjoy their footballing experience, but you want to try and leave a little bit of room in the toe area, so that they're able to grow into the boot throughout the year/season.
You'll also want to test out the fit of the boot with socks on, as your child won't play football without football socks on. Then, you should consider what surface they're likely to play on. If they're likely to play on Astro turf, you should look for AG boots or FG, failing that. If they're going to spend their time outside playing on natural grass, you should look for SG boots.
Are expensive kids' football boots worth it?
This absolutely depends on what's worth it to you and your child. If your child plays casually and is at an age where they're likely to outgrow a pair after a year, then you'll need to judge whether or not you want to pay lots of money on football boots that don't need to have sophisticated technology and will need replacing before too long.
However, if your child plays a lot of competitive football, then paying extra for boots that are designed to maximise performance could be worth it.
Which brand of football boots is best?
The best brand of football boots is subjective. Above, we've got our guide to the best football boots for kids, but you can also check out our guide to the best football boots overall. It's subjective because the best boots will come down to your personal preference on comfort, feel, technology, looks etc. But brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma feature multiple times in our guide to the best football boots, so we would recommend checking them out.
Should I buy SG or FG boots?
This depends on the surface your child is likely to play on. If your child is going to play mostly, or exclusively, on natural grass outside, then you'll want to get them SG boots, which stand for soft ground. This will allow them better traction in muddy conditions as they're designed for outdoor use on natural grass.
If they're going to play on a harder surface, or even on fake grass, then you should consider FG boots. FG stands for firm ground and they offer better support for quick turns of movement and comfort on a firmer surface.
What are the best kids' football boot brands?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different people will prefer different brands for a variety of reasons. But with so many options available on the market, we appreciate it's helpful to know where to start. The big-hitters dominate the market for kids' football boots - as this guide shows - so if you begin your search with the likes of Nike, Adidas and Puma, you can't go far wrong.
