The best speed football boots

mens_fitness_13159
(Image credit: Unknown)

These boots were put through their paces by MF's resident boot testers Carl Austin of ransacker.co.uk (opens in new tab) and Notts County F.C. striker Ben Burgess.


Nike Mercurial Vapor V1

mens_fitness_13153

(Image credit: Unknown)

Rating 3

Nike pretty much created the concept of the 'speed' boot so you'd expect this to be a humdinger. It is. And rather than going as light as some brands, Nike have added a few grams of material to the Vapor VI, resulting in more protection and increased comfort. But that doesn't mean they've sacrificed responsiveness or ball feel - it almost feels as if you're running barefoot.

Price £179.99

Available at Ransacker (opens in new tab)


Puma V1.10 SL Lightning

mens_fitness_13141

(Image credit: Unknown)

Rating 2

This is the lightest boot ever made, tipping the scales at just 150 grams. But in their quest to produce something that's almost weightless, Puma have created a boot that offers only a shade more protection than air. That means the Lightning is OK for tricky touchline-hugging wingers who keep the ball at their feet but not really anyone else.

Price €350

Available at puma.com (opens in new tab)


adidas F50 adiZero

mens_fitness_13150

(Image credit: Unknown)

Rating  4

Weighing a mere 165g, this is another super light speed boot. But, unlike the Puma Lightning, the Adidas F50 offers protection as well as excellent ball-feel and responsiveness. What's more, the studs are shaped in away that allows you to push off the grounds with more force so you can accelerate faster.

Price £125

Available at Ransacker (opens in new tab)


Umbro GT Pro

Umbro GT Pro

(Image credit: Unknown)

Rating 4

It's no coincidence that since their takeover by Nike, Umbro have started to produce some seriously impressive boots. The GT Pro is a great example of this. It offers more protection than any of the other boots on test and costs less too. The micro-fibre Teijin upper is a little rigid at first but once broken in offers lots of freedom of movement and provides fantastic striking power.

Price £89.99

Available at Ransacker (opens in new tab)

Author