You can have the most expensive boot on the market, but, if the boot doesn't fit and it isn't appropriate for the sport, don't wear it. Soccer boots that fit properly help to improve your performance and help avoid injuries. Soccer boots that are worn out or designed for the wrong type of playing surface can lead to poor performance and possible injury. How do you select the right type boot?

Soccer boots come in a variety of styles and stud or cleat patterns. Each stud or cleat pattern is designed to perform under certain pitch conditions. Studs or cleats can be screw-ins or the indoor type and they can be molded or have blades. The screw-ins can accommodate as many as 12 studs or as few as 6. The indoor boot generally has a multistud surface or an overall tennis shoe look.

What boots should a player you buy?

It would be great if you could have several pairs of soccer boots and wear them based on the condition of the field that day. Unfortunately, most players cannot afford to buy more than one pair of soccer boots at a time. If you had to choose one shoe to buy as an overall, multipurpose shoe, what would it be? We would suggest that it should be a molded or bladed 12-stud boot. This boot has been shown to be the most versatile boot for all types of pitch conditions, with the exception of very heavy pitches where the studs can get clogged up with mud. You want good traction to reach a high level of performance and to also help you avoid the injuries caused by slipping, sliding, and abrupt stops.

How to fit a pair of soccer boots

• Several things should be considered when purchasing a new pair of soccer shoes.
• When trying on your new boots, always wear the same socks and shin guards that you will be playing in.
• Remember that sizing is always different from other types of footwear. You must try on each shoe to be sure it fits.
• If you wear an ankle brace for injury prevention or protection, you must have it on when trying on the new shoes.

Shinguards

Take your shin guards with you to be sure they will fit with your new boots. Shin guards are required equipment and they come in a variety of styles.

• Slip-Ins simply slide into the socks. All soccer socks have to be high enough to totally cover the shin guard. This style should not interfere with shoe selection at all.
• Slip-In Moldable shin guards offer the ease of application of the regular slip in, but they are moldable to the individual. They offer more comfort and protection because of the close fit. There should be no problem with shoe selection with this style.
• Ankle Protection shin guards have a padded feature that extend from the bottom of the shin guard to the bottom of the heel (Fig. 2). This padding covers the ankle bones and offers increased protection from kicks from other players. This style is especially recommended for players who are just learning to play soccer.

Shop for boots in the afternoon when your feet are naturally swollen from walking and standing all day. Have the size of both feet measured. It is best to stand when measuring your shoe size. You will need assistance to do this properly. Do not assume that your feet are the same exact size. If there is a size difference, choose the larger size.

Lace the shoes as tightly as you will when you are playing. Walk around the store in them for several minutes. You should be able to wiggle your toes freely while sitting or standing and you should not feel any inner seams, which could cause blisters. For children especially, make sure there is a one-finger distance between the toes and the end of the shoe.

Taking care of your new boots

Soccer boots will usually last for about one year. Remember that studs or cleats are designed to be worn on soft surfaces. Concrete is the biggest enemy to soccer studs and cleats. The concrete acts like sandpaper. It slowly, but surely, wears away the surface and reduces the size of the stud or cleat faster than the boot is actually wearing out. All soccer players should have a pair of tennis shoes or slides (shower shoes, "flip flops," etc) in their bag for walking across the concrete or tarmaced surfaces. The less time the soccer stud is on concrete, the longer it will last.

• Soccer boots should be treated like regular shoes. A little care will extend the life of the shoe dramatically.
• Carry a stiff brush to clean the outside of the boot after playing.
• Wash the outside of the boot with warm, soapy water because chemicals used on the field can breakdown the boot material.
• When you take them off, stuff the boots with crumpled newspaper to absorb moisture from the inside of the boot and to maintain normal boot size.
• The price of the boot will not make it last longer. The care you provide will.

Best advice

Visit a soccer specialty store when purchasing soccer boots. They will know what kind of boots are available and can give you the individual attention you need and deserve.