The new season is here! Take a glance at your current pair of football boots – looking a little circa 1986 right? To boost your performance out on the pitch this season, you're going to need the best tools available – and we've compiled the best the 2016/17 season has to offer.
If you're in the market for new pair of football boots, here is a top 10 of fantastic footwear fit for the 2016/17 season. Grab a pair from Lovell Soccer and dazzle your opponents over the coming months.
Nike Mercurial Superfly V
Where better to start than with the newly crowned European Champions. Their talisman Cristinao Ronaldo spent his summer strutting round France with his own pair of Mercurials – providing him with the perfect foil for this natural pace and power.
Designed for creative, attacking talents, the Superfly Vs have a comfortable elasticated collar for that confident feel in your boot when haring around the pitch. "Nikeskin" technology in the upper gives a lightweight design for quick-witted play in attack areas, a theme that runs throughout the boots. The arrow pointed studs and carbon fibre soleplate help shed unnecessary weight, boosting acceleration on the pitch.
Plus, the Mercurials are what Nike call ACC (All Conditions Control) boots, meaning they're fit for the rigours of competitive action no matter the conditions.
adidas X 16+ Purechaos ‘Dark Space’
To create the 'Pure chaos' that adidas have strapped to the title of these boots, you need out and out pace. Speed demons are likely to benefit the most from Dark Space boots, particularly in attacking positions. Flying winger? These may be the choice for you.
If it's a boot built for players with pace, it goes without saying that the main features are done to make the Purechaos as lightweight as possible. The optimised “Chaos” Sprintframe is designed to bring stability at high speeds, while the Ultrafast sole complements the overall design with an emphasis on quick turns and changes in direction.
Plus, the clean jet-black design makes adidas' Purechaos boots one of the classier designs in this top 10.
Under Armour Spotlight
Sports wear colossus Under Armour are a big name in the football boot world, as their Spotlight design will attest to.
The first stop is on design. Compared to some the flashier counterparts in this top 10, Under Armour's look is more classic than show-off. The traditional shape is supported by a classic collar design (you won't find any extended sock-like collars here), and the red and black colour scheme is only brightened up by the florescent yellow logo and bottom.
Aside from the look, a number of small technical features can improve multiple sides to your game. The flexible synthetic upper moulds to your foot to increase control and support; the off-centre position to the laces brings better ball-striking; and a succession of internal traction pads in the underfoot bring unprecedented levels of security – meaning the Spotlights are a boot you can rely on.
Puma evoSPEED Fresh
When you put SPEED in the title of your boots in big capital letters, you don't score many points for guessing what those boots have been designed for. Puma have done exactly that with the evoSPEED Fresh as we add another option for those speed-inclined attackers.
In the upper part of the boot, you'll find a lightweight ventilated fabric, shedding weight but also aiding the circulation of air around the boot. Behind pace, the evoSPEED's secondary focus is on foot temperature. A synthetic mesh woven into the upper features Puma's “CoolCell” technology, designed to keep the wearer's feet as cool as possible during use.
Despite it's emphasis on staying cool, the evoSPEED's design comes in a striking heat-related yellow and orange combo. Still, at the pace you'll be flying round the pitch with evoSPEED's on – chances are your feet will be on fire.
Nike Hypervenom Phinish II
So far, we've listed a number of boots that are mainly geared towards players who heavily rely on pace. So what those who forget about the running about and just smash it in the back of the net from wherever they stand?
That's where Nike's Hypervenom Phinish come in. Built to supply more power and finishing prowess, the Hypervenoms should be somewhere near the top of every 20 goal a season striker's wish list.
To maximise power and improve accuracy, the boots feature an off-centre position to the lacing. In doing so, you maximise your surface area for striking through the ball, creating a nice clean strike every time (cue shot into row-z the first time you put them on).
To give you confidence in planting your foot and striking though the ball, the Hypervenom's design is intended to deliver a barefoot-like touch. Wrapped comfortably around your foot, the boot remains durable and enhances control no matter how hard you hit.
Under Armour ClutchFit Force 2.0
In contrast to Furon's simplistic design above, the Under Armour's ClutchFit Force goes for the opposite end of the scale. The neon yellow that seems so popular in boots today returns, and is joined by a series of black dumbbells across the whole upper part of the boot.
Of all the boots in this selection, the Force 2.0 focuses on comfort and control more than any other. A 3D-printed rubber layer is veiled over the top of the upper, enhancing your passing, shooting and all-round control with the ball at your feet.
For control, look to the “Trivela” performance microfibre that forms the basis of the upper. With flexible stretch capabilities, the upper combines with a unique skeletal soleplate for the ultimate in comfort and grip.
New Balance Furon 2.0 Blackout
No countdown of the best sporting equipment would be complete without including New Balance, a company that's gradually muscling its way amongst the big hitters in the market.
Looking at the sequel to their flagship Furon, and it's no wonder footballers a plumping for New Balance over their heftier competition in greater amounts. As with a number of top-of-the-line boots today, speed and a lightweight structure have been placed at the very top of the design process.
The Furon 2.0 is kept minimal in it's design. The “Ultralight Fantom Fit” cage is strong but lightweight, the curved nylon soleplate is built for improve acceleration and triangular studs complete the design by boosting speed across all natural surfaces.
Plus, bonus points go to the Furon's aesthetics. It's minimalist style works an absolute treat in what is (arguably) the best looking of the bunch.
Nike Magista Obra II
Rounding off our rundown of the best boots on the market for this season, we head to the king of the game – Nike.
The second generation of the their Magista boot has been released in time for the new season, and comes with a complete raft of new features. On aesthetics, the heat map style to the top and side of the upper helps you see pinpoint the best areas for striking the ball.
Alongside it, a textured upper enhances the sensation when in possession, helping you feel a greater sense of control on the ball. Control, support and protection are also dosed out in abundance thanks to the (returning) socklike all-in-one collar and flywire cabling that runs through the middle of your foot.
adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol
We're back with adidas, where the focus this time switches from pace to control. Aligned better to the Andrea Pirlos of this world rather than the Theo Walcotts, the Purecontrol boots brings grip and support in all conditions, which aligns with a focus on precision when spraying balls around.
To provide that enhanced level of control, the purecontrol boots feature adidas' NSG (or Non Stop Grip). Applied to the whole of the upper, NSG improves grip come rain or shine – so your natural flair on the ball is never affected.
Throw in a control sprintframe built for traction and a synthetic upper that brings a comfortable feel and a firm touch on the ball – and you've got a boot fit for any midfield maestro.
Mizuno Morelia Neo II
Looking for a boot with a top-draw design but not a fan of the simplistic New Balance Furon? Look no further than the retro styling of the Morelia Neo II. Somewhat of a throwback from footballing decades gone by, Mizuno class the colour scheme of the Morelia Neo's as “Diva Blue” and “Safety Yellow”.
Outstanding descriptive work from the Mizuno team, and that retro look carries over into the design. The lightweight leather that makes up the upper of the boot is an increasingly rare treat for footballers today, but it provides a nice fit for the wearer and consistent touch. Plus, they always look nicer and feel that little more robust.
The Neo II boots are pretty no-nonsense when it comes to boots, so if you prefer that throwback feel when you slip on your football boots – look to the Mizuno.
Improve your game with a new pair of boots this season
Now you know the best of what's out there, it's time to invest. Head to Lovell Soccer where you can find each of the top 10 boots listed above.