With
the impending football season, there is a rush among football novices and pros
alike to shop for their football boots. If you take the sports seriously and
want to play at your best, while staying away from foot injuries as much as you can, these
tips to buy your best football boot would surely help you:
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1. Getting the right
fit while wearing your kits: Purchasing boots is best done while wearing the kits that
you will use on the field. So, have your thick, footy socks on (which are
different from your regular ones) when trying out a new pair of football boots.
Wear your ankle braces and shin guards too in case you wear them when playing
football.
2. Selecting the
material carefully: Investing in leather boots would mean having a comfortable
footwear since they usually stretch to match your feet’s contour. Buying
synthetic boots that don’t get deformed easily would ensure durability. You
should ideally stay away from boots made of cheaper materials like plastic as
they generate excessive friction, thus increasing your feet’s chances of being
rubbed and getting blisters. The general rule while buying football boots is to
steer clear of lighter materials since they don’t offer your feet adequate
support.
3. Getting the boots
professionally fitted: Buying footballs boots isn’t just picking any one that
catches your fancy. Rather, you have to consider several factors like
your foot shape, gait, player position, foot function and history of injuries,
if any, to buy the best pair of boots that will meet your personal
requirements. The ideal step is to consult your podiatrist and get your boots
professionally fitted for injury prevention and optimum comfort.
4. Deciding on the type
of studs:
While boots with screw-in studs are ideal for wet and/or soft grounds where you
need a better grip, those with molded studs (which are shorter than screw-in
studs) are best for dry and/or hard surfaces. You can also look for boots with
changeable or multidisciplinary stud patterns that
can be adjusted based on the game’s variable conditions, and the surfaces you
play on.
5. Wearing them in: You should never
wear new boots on your game day. The norm is to wear in your boots gradually.
The ideal time frame for wearing a new pair in is two training sessions at the
least, before you wear them on your match day.
Apart
from the above, you should ensure to wear your orthotics (in case you are
advised by your podiatrist to use them) while getting fitted for the new pair
of boots. Even when testing a new pair, you should have your orthotics on. Those
who need to wear orthotics could choose boots with a removable insole since
that would let them make some room inside.
Football
boots are available from different manufacturers in a wide range, and you can buy
many through online stores. But since you need to try them on with your playing
kit for the right fit and may even need some customized changes to suit your
individual needs, it’s best to buy them from brick-and-mortar stores.
