Buying your child their first pair of football boots is something of a rite of passage, marking the point at which they're old enough to take to the pitch during PE, or possibly the first step of a lifelong passion. Whether they're playing indoors, on astroturf or out on the field, the right football boot will vastly increase their performance, getting them noticed by their peers and perhaps even a scout for the local youth team.
However, the world of junior football shoes can be overwhelming. To help you track down a pair, we've written this handy guide to buying the best football boots for kids. From studs to turf boots for boys and girls, we've ranked our top 10 from online retailers such as Amazon and Decathlon.
Quick List - Top Kids' Football Boots
adidas
A Junior Update of a World Class Pair of Football Boots
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Whether it's at school or as part of the local 5-a-side team, your child will most likely be playing football on a grass pitch with hard ground at some point. In this setting, only firm ground boots with studs will do, as they'll give your child stability and traction as they pace up and down the field.
Studs work well on firm ground because they pierce the grass, providing significantly better grip in a way flat-soled shoes can't. Better still, they allow your child to release their feet from the ground quickly as they run, meaning no loss of speed – which is crucial when they're heading up the wing!
If your child is hoping to advance in the local team, why not pick up a garden goal set for home practice?
Perhaps the next most popular surfaces for playing football are artificial grounds, such as astroturf and artificial grass. Because they are thinner, boots made for these surfaces are designed to reduce pressure on the feet. This usually means shorter, softer studs that are generally more positioned towards the outside of the boot, rather than the centre.
If your child switches regularly between firm and artificial grounds when playing, you may wish to look into boots that work well on both surfaces. These multi-ground (or 'mg') boots work best on artificial pitches, but can also be used on grass fields.
It might not be what traditionally springs to mind when we think of football, but indoor football or 'futsal' is becoming more and more popular. Requiring no studs, indoor boots instead feature flat rubber soles to help your child avoid slipping as they run about on shiny indoor floors.
Because they work in a similar way to trainers, indoor football boots can be worn on the field as well as off it. Not only will this save you buying multiple pairs of boots, but we're sure this will come as fantastic news to particularly avid young football fans!
For children who play indoor sports, you might also want to look at regular kids trainers
'Closure type' essentially refers to the way in which football boots remains secure on your feet. Lace-up boots are a great choice as they allow for an extra secure fit, meaning your child will be able to sprint and weave up the pitch with ease.
Alternatively, there are laceless cleats. Similar to a sock, they're secured to the feet by a stretchable fabric that wraps around the ankles. No laces also mean that there is no material between the boot and the ball, which many players feel offers more control when dribbling and better precision when shooting.
That said, it's definitely worth bearing in mind that you won't get as secure a fit with laceless boots. Particularly with kids' feet, which are constantly growing, this may mean discomfort and even blisters if the fit isn't perfect.
Football boots come with several different ankle heights, and there are advantages to each. Low-cut boots, for example, allow for a greater range of movement and let the ankle bend at numerous angles. This makes them particularly well suited for up-front players that need superior control.
On the other hand, while boots with higher ankles allow for less manoeuvrability, they do offer extra protection from incoming attacks. This makes them perfect for defenders, who must hinder the opposition more often than they need to weave in and out of them.
Don't forget to kit them out with some protective shin pads, too
Football boots are most commonly made from either leather or a synthetic material, both of which have their advantages. Leather performs well because it's hard-wearing, dynamic and comfortable.
Perhaps the best thing about leather football boots is that they allow superior control, hugging the player's feet and giving superior lockdown – which basically means they fit the player's feet as snugly as a pair of socks! They are, however, far less water-resistant than their synthetic counterparts and therefore more difficult to clean.
Synthetic football boots take some of the advantages of leather, such as durability and comfort and are generally more affordable. They also offer additional key improvements, like breathability and water resistance. That said, because synthetic boots won't adapt to the shape of the player's feet, that extra feeling of control is lost.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | adidas Predator Freak.3 Junior Firm Ground Boots | ![]() | A Junior Update of a World Class Pair of Football Boots | |
2 | Nike Jr Vapor 14 Academy Tf Shoes | ![]() | A Turf-Friendly Version of Nike's Legendary Boots | |
3 | adidas X Ghosted.3 Fg | ![]() | Let Them Fly Up the Field With Boots Built for Speed | |
4 | PUMA Future 5.4 HG Junior | ![]() | Light Weight and Adaptability Make for an Outstanding Boot | |
5 | Nike Vapor 13 Academy Fg/Mg Football Boots | ![]() | A Comfy Multi-Ground Boot for Kids Who Switch It Up | |
6 | Puma One 20.4 Fg/Ag | ![]() | For Great Control and Speed on Hard or Artificial Ground | |
7 | adidas Nemeziz Messi.3 Firm Ground Boots | ![]() | Let Them Follow in the Footsteps of Their Hero | |
8 | Nike Phantom Gt Club Df Tf Shoes | ![]() | Ideal for Skill-Focused Kids Thanks to a Superior Grip | |
9 | adidas Kids' Super Sala Futsal Shoes | ![]() | Another Pair Perfect for Showing Off Technical Skills | |
10 | Saekeke Unisex Football Boots | ![]() | A Budget Option for Kids Just Getting Into Football |
First introduced to the world over 25 years ago, the adidas predator is one of the best-known football boots ever to have existed. Having been popularised by world-class players, such as David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, now your child can wear them too.
Released in 2021, the Predator Freaks feature everything that made their predecessors successful. Namely, these football boots offer superior comfort and grip, with a few additions, such as a TPU-injected outsole and adjustable lace closure fit for growing feet.
There's no reason that legendary boots should only be worn on the field. If your child is a turf player searching for the superior speed and optimal traction offered by Nike's latest Mercurial Vapors, they need look no further than this pair.
Featuring a soft synthetic material and a light foam insole for superior comfort, as well as rubber soles for extra grip, they're a fantastic all-round choice. We especially like that lovely shade of blue, which is sure to set your child apart!
Adidas's Ghosted boots are designed with speed in mind. Agility is at the forefront of this pair, from the lightweight construction that'll hug their feet and allow them to run at maximum speed to the stretchy upper material, helping your child to put them on quick as a flash!
They're also incredibly comfortable, with a nice soft inner and a lowered heel that'll make them feel as if they're walking on air. If it's speed, rather than power that your child is after, these boots are unparalleled.
Originally used exclusively on their trainers, Puma have now begun to implement their Netfit lacing system on their football boots. This brings huge advantages, such as perfect lockdown, and a fit that adapts with every movement of the foot.
Add to this a nice lightweight construction, a supremely comfortable sock-like fit and a beautiful yellow and black colour scheme, and you've got a top-class boot that your football-loving child will go crazy for.
Offering a more affordable alternative to Nike's Mercurial Vapor 13's, the Academy provide kids with the same sleek design and speed that the popular boots are known for. But, with a few minor changes that'll put slightly less pressure on their parents' wallets!
For example, these boots have a synthetic upper rather than a knitted one, and less of a 'barefoot' feeling when it comes to making contact with the ball. That said, they're still extremely comfortable and are a great entry point to trying the boots that have terrorised defenders for over 20 years.
The first thing that'll catch your eye about these boots is their vivid orange and yellow colour scheme. While they're certainly beautiful, don't let that distract you from everything else this boot has to offer.
We're particularly fans of the low silhouette, which will give your child secure lockdown, allowing them to manoeuvre their feet and control the ball with ease. They've clearly been designed with speed in mind, and these boots work equally well on both hard and artificial ground.
Every budding player has their favourite footballing hero. This pair will allow your child to perform magic and intimidate their rivals, with agility that mirrors one of the greatest players of all time – Lionel Messi, for whom these boots are named.
With a stud configuration that's designed specifically for agility, a TPU-injected outsole that performs especially well on firm ground, and a choice of several vibrant designs, they'll be positively itching to get onto the pitch.
Wondering what the 'GT' in this football boot's name stands for? Well, it actually stands for 'generative texture', which describes the leather used to make them. This basically translates as a boot with superior grip.
This results in unparalleled control, which is particularly important if your child is keen on using their skills to set themselves apart from their peers. To top it off, this boot also features a nice raised back which will protect them from any unexpected challenges. A solid choice.
Made with the aim of allowing you to achieve perfect accuracy no matter what your position, adidas' Copa Futsal trainers are ideal for kids that love to show off their technical skills – particularly when playing indoor football or 'futsal'.
They're also incredibly comfortable, offering a nice close fit and proper traction that'll allow your child to weave in and out of the competition. Due to the lack of grip, we wouldn't recommend these for outdoor sports.
The beautiful game isn't for everyone, so if you know your child isn't going to be using their football boots past the next term, it makes little sense to splash out an expensive pair. Luckily, there are plenty of budget options available, such as this pair from Saekeke.
While you shouldn't expect them to last as long as premium pair, they've got everything they'll need to perform on the pitch, including a comfortable leather upper and conical rubber studs that can be used on both real and artificial grass.
As well as being quicker to put on, laceless boots are a good option for kids because many do struggle with laces. They're also known for providing the wearer with better control. However, laces offer a better fit and a certain amount of adjustability that may be preferable for children's growing feet.
Yes, junior football boots are usually designed and marketed as unisex, so you needn't worry about finding a specific pair for your boy or girl.
Written and researched by Ben Willimett
No. 1: adidas|Predator Freak.3 Junior Firm Ground Boots
No. 2: Nike|Jr Vapor 14 Academy Tf Shoes
No. 3: adidas|X Ghosted.3 Fg
No. 4: PUMA|Future 5.4 HG Junior
No. 5: Nike|Vapor 13 Academy Fg/Mg Football Boots
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