Sportsmart Footwear Manager, Ryan Meggs

Q. Are all football boots the same?

No; there are several different types of football boots, with some designed to give you more power when kicking the ball and others that are extremely lightweight, which help you to run faster. The best boots will have maximum support and stability built into them as well as all of the technology for increased power.

Q. What types of material are football boots made from?

Football boots are usually made from either leather or synthetic material. There are different grades of leather – the best is K-leather, which is very soft and molds nicely to the shape of the foot for increased comfort. Leather boots absorb moisture so it is advised that you protect them with dubbin. This is not required for synthetic boots as water will bead straight off them.

Q. What type of studs should I use?

Football boots have three options when it comes to the stud pattern: firm ground (FG), hard ground (HG) and soft ground (SG).

Firm ground studs are made from plastic and are slightly longer then hard ground studs for surfaces that are firm but not hard. Hard ground studs are made from rubber and are slightly softer than firm ground studs, for surfaces that are very hard. Soft ground studs – the longest style – can be made from metal for wet and muddy surfaces that require extra grip.

With grounds receiving much less water these days, firm grounds studs are the preferred choice for the majority of players, but there are still times when a soft ground or hard ground boot will be required.

Q. Do football boots have cushioning?

Some styles have cushioning built into them but the majority of boots do not. This is mainly because cushioning in the mid-sole raises the foot, which makes it slightly less stable. Asics is the leader in terms of having cushioning in their boots, but Nike, Puma and adidas also offer boots with some form of cushioning.

Q. Are football boots very flexible?

Football boots provide some amount of flex to assist with smooth running, but with the full range of motions that a player will go through in a game they still need to be rigid.

Q. Do football boots come in different widths?

Very few brands offer football boots in different widths but there are a few styles that come in a regular D fitting as well as a 2E fitting.

Q. Why do football boots always feel so tight?

Football boots need to be tight and secure to provide you with the best amount of support. The more you wear your boots the better they will fit you and shape to your foot.

Q. Does it matter if I try on boots without my footy socks on?

Yes, it will make a difference, as football socks are a lot thicker then regular sports socks. You should always bring your own socks with you when trying on new boots, but Sportsmart has some try-on football socks in case you forget.

Q. What brands of football boots does Sportsmart stock?

Sportsmart sees itself as a specialty football boot retailer as we have a huge range of boots from all the major brands as well as a long and trusted history in the sport of football.

The following brands are stocked at Sportsmart stores: Nike, adidas, Puma, Asics, Nomis, Lotto, Diadora, Sfida, Blades, Reebok.