Last
First one in our list is the boot's last, which is directly related to the degree of comfort we feel when wearing it. Our feet are all different - and that's reason enough to not choose blindly because we love the colours, or because our favourite player wears them. Instead, we have to focus on how well it fits us in order to achieve maximum comfort and potential.
For that purpose, brands generally have different lasts available depending on the model - some have a wider fit, while some others feel narrower. So, if your feet are wider, you are sure to be more comfortable wearing a wide last most of the time.
For example, within the adidas catalogue, a narrow-cut boot would be the adidas F50. On the other hand, the adidas Predator would be a neutral-cut boot that is neither too wide nor too narrow. For a slightly wider boot we also have the adidas Copa line.
Ranges
It's important to consider what your boots are going to be used for, and how frequently. Do you play on a League One team where you have weekly training sessions and matches? Do you and your friends play a couple days a month or every sunday? Not the same!
Taking this into account, brands are developing increasingly better mid and low ranges for those of us looking to spend less, as we don't play top-tier matches. Luckily, we know some very good alternatives. A great example would be the New Balance Furon, which mimics elite-range boots when it comes to quality.
Soles
For more detailed information on this topic, you can refer to a previous sole guide post here. However, the very basis begins by asking ourselves what kind of terrain we will be playing on.
Once that's clear, we also have to consider what types of movements we are going to be performing the most during matches or training sessions. Arrow-shaped studs like the ones in the Mercurial silo are perfect for speedy players who need to turn on their feet quickly and effectively, while more conventional, conical studs like Nike Tiempo's will be the best choice for ahtletes looking for a solid and stable grip.
Different concepts within the FG sole ranges to suit different types of players.
Chassis materials
Don't make the mistake of assuming the materials that come into contact with the ball have no relevance when choosing a boot. Leather, synthetic or knit materials are some of the most popular in use.
Leather is the classic choice, and yet we are seeing less and less of it as time passes. Mizuno comes to mind as the benchmark brand in this field; their Japanese leather is utterly top quality.
On the knit side of things, Mercurial stands out yet again thanks to its lightness and ability to recreate the feeling of wearing a sock (with studs!). When it comes to synthetic boots, they tend to be and feel more robust and even a bit heavier, like the adidas Predator models.
To finish off, we need to mention mixed-material boots like the Puma Future. The brand integrates both knit and synthetic microfibers in some areas of the boot, which is surely a great mix for certain types of players.
