What to know when buying new football boots
With the new Football season approaching its that time of the year when you go to the garage to find your child’s old, dirty Football boots and you think “We definitely need to get them a new pair of boots this season, but what should I look for?”
As a Podiatrist and Youth Soccer Coach I have had many clients and parents asking what to look for when they are thinking of investing in new Football boots for their children.
Here are 3 key things to consider when looking for new boots:
What Boots are Best for Different Playing Surfaces?
There are three main types of Football pitches currently in Australia:
- Firm ground
- Soft ground
- Artificial
During the start of the season Football pitches are often hard and unforgiving coming off a long, hot summer.
When playing on firm ground pitches you don't require as much grip or traction from your boots, therefore moulded studs typically in a blade or conical shape are recommended.
Over Winter and into the later part of the season the mud takes over and pitches become wet and boggy.
Boots with metal studs which are longer at the heel are best suited for these conditions as they allow better stability and traction in the wetter conditions.
Recently there has been an increase in the amount of artificial pitches used in Australia.
Artificial pitches are not designed to have traditional Football boots used on them, they are better suited to boots with smaller stops in a grasscut style on them.
However some Football codes current regulations don't allow this style of boot to be used during games, so you’re best to stick with a firm ground boot for artificial pitches.
Should Boots Be Tight Fitting?
If your child's boots are not fitted correctly by being either too small or too big it can lead to an increased risk of blisters and damage to your child’s toenails.
I recommend to have your child’s thumbs width distance from their longest toe (which may be their 2nd toe) to the end of the boot when he/she is standing.
When your child is trying on their new boots in-store it is important for them to wear correct Football socks and have a long walk around the store to see if they are comfortable.
What Boots Are Better for Foot or Ankle Pain?
If your child has lower leg pain which is preventing them from doing what they love a great first step is to book an appointment with a Podiatrist with a great knowledge and interest in children's sport.
Football boots have many different characteristics designed in them to reduce the stress on damaged tissues.
Some key characteristics to look for are:
-
Does the Boot have an Inbuilt Heel Raise
Most Football boots have a negative heel, which means the heel sits lower than the rest of the foot.
If your child has pain in the back or the bottom of their heel a boot with an inbuilt heel raise will help to reduce the stress on their heel.
Two great Football boots with an inbuilt 10mm heel raise are the X-Blades Adrenaline and the Asics Menace.
2. Do the Boots have a Removable Insole?
If your child has orthotics or currently has lower leg pain than their boots should have a removable insole.
This will allow extra room to fit your child's orthotics or to allow your Podiatrist to add heel raises and paddings to their boots comfortably without becoming too tight.
3. Where are the studs located?
Certain stud patterns on boots may increase the pressure beneath joints which may cause pain, especially beneath the big toe joint.
If your child has pain in that area than a boot with a stud pushing up into that painful spot will aggravate the problem.
Checking the location of the studs is an important step when investing in a new pair of soccer boots.
Get Your Child Pain Free!
If your child has lower leg pain and you want to know how to get them back playing Football or if you want more information about the best boots for your child book in an appointment with the Podiatrists at Complete Podiatry.
We are experts in lower limb mechanics and can find the causes contributing to the pain and give your child pain management strategies as well as an individualised exercise program to get them stronger than they were pre-injury.
Click on the link below to make an appointment online!
Alex Taylor
Podiatrist at Complete Podiatry