Surfaces

 

Football is played on many types of surface but the most common are:

 

Grass

• Dry, Firm - Best boots are Moulded Stud Boots, Astroturf Trainers or Football Trainers

• Wet, Soft - Best boots are Moulded Stud Boots or Metal Stud Boots

• Very Wet, Muddy - Best boots are Full Stud Boots

Astroturf

• 3G Rubber Crumb Astroturf - Moulded Stud Boots, Astroturf Trainers or Football Trainers

• Sand or Water based Astroturf - Astroturf Trainers or Football Trainers

Concrete

• Astroturf Trainers or Football Trainers

Sports Hall

• Astroturf Trainers or Football Trainers

 

 

Types of Boot

 

• Football Trainers - Trainers that are designed for football with a flat rubber sole

• Astroturf Trainers - Trainers that have a full sole of small rubber pimples for increased grip

• Moulded Stud Boots - Football boots that have a number of fixed rubber or rubber-tipped studs

• Metal/Plastic Stud Boots - Football boots that have a a number of changeable metal or plastic studs

• Plastic Blades Boots - Football boots that have a number of fixed, long plastic blade like fittings

 

 

Fastenings

 

• Laces - Secured by shoelaces which are tied, good for tight fit but can come undone and not easy for young children to fasten themselves

• Velcro - Secured by velcro fastening, good for young children and easy to adjust tightness

• Elastic - Secured by elastic panels, easy to put on but not as good fit and can't adjust

 

 

Sizes

 

Football boots normally come in a full range of sizes from Ch10 upwards (we do provide smaller sizes for younger children).  Each brand and sometimes model of boot will vary slightly with regard to sizes, some may fit narrower feet better and others wider.  Some may come up also slightly bigger or smaller than others.  (We provide a handy shoe size chart and downloadable measuring tool to ensure you get the size just right.)

 

To get maximum use of children's football boots it may be worth buying a slightly larger size and pairing them with thicker football socks or even a couple of pairs!

 

 

Safety

 

• Studs - The main issue with metal studs is that they can become sharp and dangerous, especially if worn when walking on concrete which presents a danger to other players. Children are not advised to wear boots with metal or plastic studs/blades when walking on concrete or hard floors as children can easily slip and fall over

• Blades - A number of concerns have been publicly raised about blade boots as they have been apparently linked to an increased number of twisting/turning-related leg injuries.

 

 

Boot Care

 

• To get the maximum use out of football boots they should be cleaned and dried after each use.

• When drying, newspaper can be stuffed into the toes of the boots to help them keep their shape.

• Any mud should be removed from velcro fastenings after each use to maximise effectiveness.

• Leather boots can be coated in dubbin to help maintain the leather.

 

 

Pro Boot Tips

 

• When fitting/measuring boots or trainers ensure the same type of socks are worn that will be regularly worn with them.

• In muddy conditions coat the boots in vaseline to stop mud sticking to the boots and making them easier to clean.

• Ensure shoelaces are tied with double knots to keep them done up.

• With football boots, If shoelaces are very long they can be wrapped under the boots before being tied