Today we want to talk about the football boots that have been with us for generations – the ones that practically all of us have seen and worn at some point. We’re talking about boots that have never gone out of fashion, that have won over footballers from different eras and that, year after year, have remained a fixture on the market. Some have evolved and adapted to changing times, whilst others have kept their essence virtually intact, but they all share one thing in common: they remain true football classics.
We’ll start, as you’d expect, with the adidas football boots, one of the best-selling models of all time. Even today, we still see many players choosing this model, and during this return to the pitch, we’ve also seen them on Özil’s feet. We’re talking about the adidas Copa Mundial, a classic boot that has never gone out of production and has maintained a strong presence both on the market and on the pitch. These football boots are made from natural leather, a material that moulds beautifully to the foot and offers excellent comfort. Although they do not incorporate major technological advances, they retain a classic design, with a leather upper and visible stitching, as well as a sole featuring conical studs that provide good penetration and grip on different types of terrain.
Our second model is a pair of boots from the US: a pair of Nike football boots which, although they have evolved considerably over the years, have become a true Nike classic. They have been amongst the best-selling and most widely used boots for many years, and even today we still see them on the feet of football greats such as Sergio Ramos and Piqué. As many of you will know, the Nike Tiempo has always been renowned for offering great comfort, largely thanks to its leather construction. The upper has traditionally been made from natural leather, although in recent years various synthetic materials have also been incorporated.
Thirdly, we have an option that bears a certain resemblance to the first model we discussed: some legendary leather boots from the 1990s that are part of football history. We’re referring to one of Umbro’s most iconic models, the Umbro Speciali 98 Pro. These are natural leather boots with very pronounced stitching that creates a textured surface and helps improve contact with the ball. They also feature a distinctive tongue design which, for many, is even more comfortable than that of the adidas boots. As for the outsole, it features a PU plate with conical studs and Memory Flex technology, which creates flex points in the metatarsal area and provides rigidity to the instep.
Finally, we have a pair of boots that also come from the American brand Nike, although they are the most modern of all those we’ve seen so far. Despite being a more recent release, they have already become one of Nike’s flagship models and, given their enormous popularity, they simply had to feature on this list. What’s more, they have been and continue to be worn by big stars such as Ronaldo and Neymar, to name just two of the most prominent footballers. Compared to the models we’ve seen so far, the Nike Mercurial are the most revolutionary and distinctive. They are very lightweight football boots, designed to enhance the player’s speed. They have also undergone significant development over the years and have become a highly advanced model. The upper is made from a very lightweight and stretchy synthetic material such as Flyknit, which covers practically the entire boot except for the sole. The sole is divided into two parts and features studs that grip the pitch effectively to aid changes of direction and explosive bursts of speed.
