If you're somebody who tends to play their football on drier, firm ground, you'll want to find the best firm ground football boots on the market right now.
What are firm ground football boots, we hear you ask? Moulded studs, or 'mouldies' as they're commonly refereed to, are plastic or rubber studs (traditionally round but now available in a range of shapes) that are undetachable from a boot's soleplate. This means that they cannot be removed or replaced. The advantage is that they can't unscrew and fall off. A disadvantage is that they cannot be replaced if worn down.
Having the right boots can make a huge difference to a player's game, with certain ranges specifically designed for firmer playing surfaces. FFT has been dedicating itself to categorising designs to make boot shopping easier for you. If you're simply looking for the best football boots out right now, or ones suited for defenders, midfielders, wingers, strikers or even wide feet, be sure to check out our other reviews.
But here you'll find the best moulded football boots.
The quick list
The Elite version of this popular boot is without the famous folding tongue but still performs to the same high standard. If you want to look good while spraying passes on firm ground, they remain the sensible choice.
A Fibretouch upper ensures that the Adidas F50 Elite is one of the lightest firm ground boots currently available. A welcome return for a classic model.
The Mizuno Alpha is certainly pricey, but if you’re after a firm ground all-rounder they are hard to beat. With a perfectly designed soleplate and a slipper-like feel straight out of the box, this is a truly outstanding boot.
For those who play the majority of their matches on firm ground and build their game around pace or agility, this is the boot for you. The lightweight feel will help with those repeated sprints behind the opposition defence.
You probably should go down half a size, but if you can get the fit right, New Balance's Tekela design ensures comfort on firm ground. The flexible shaping guarantees an unrivalled touch on the ball.
Balancing grip with comfort is a key challenge for any firm ground boot. But Nike's well-designed Phantom GX 2 Elite model is capable of providing both - making them a pleasure to wear.
Best firm ground football boots
Best for style
The reception that the latest generation of the Adidas Predator has enjoyed is almost unheard of for a new release. The wonderfully retro look, taking inspiration from classic generations of the model and including the return of the famous folding tongue has captured the imagination of many and meant that each release of the folding tongue version has sold out very quickly.
There is, of course, also the Elite version without the tongue that performs to the same excellent level - indeed, I personally found no difference between each model, with both offering the same control and touch on the ball that midfielders invariably seek.
The controlframe 2.0 soleplate that belongs to the FG version of the boot consists exclusively of triangular studs and is flexible, while also having the level of stiffness needed for a stable outsole. When it comes to the upper, I really enjoyed the suede-like finish on Adidas' Hybridtouch 2.0 material, with it feeling soft straight out of the box and even better after just a couple of uses.
- Read our full Adidas Predator Elite review
Best lightweight
In replacing the X Crazyfast+ - and marking the end of the X line that has been the ‘speed’ silo for Adidas since 2015 - the Three Stripes have made a welcome return to the F50 line which once proved so popular. But, despite the new name, the boot itself is more of a continuation of the X and an improved version of the outgoing Crazyfast. In my opinion, this is no bad thing given the quality of the Crazyfast and how well they performed for wingers on firm ground.
A pretty significant difference between the new F50 and the boot it replaces is in the soleplate. Gone is the super responsive and aggressive Speedframe outsole, and in its place is something that, while still retaining ample aggression and responsiveness, is a lot more balanced and reserved. The F50’s Sprintframe 360 plate features conical studs in addition to the familiar chevron studs and the plastic insert through the centre of the plate seen in the last two generations of the X is also a thing of the past. The result is an outsole that is less speedy but much more well-rounded overall.
In terms of the upper, the Adidas F50 Elite is as lightweight as you would expect for one of the most recognisable names in the speed boot category, along with the Nike Mercurial. The Fibretouch upper is textured with the brand’s Sprintweb 3D that provides a gritty, rough grip on the ball when dribbling and is concentrated mainly in the forefoot area of the boot. The most unique aspect I found from the boot is the Compression Fit Tunnel Tongue that seeks to wrap the foot for greater lockdown. Although it is a nice addition, I can’t say that I personally felt a significant difference in the lockdown as a result of it.
- Read our full Adidas F50 Elite review
Best overall
One of the best boots currently available on the market, the craftsmanship on the Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan is unrivalled, and it's no wonder why there's now a cult following for the Japanese brand. As with Mizuno’s other models, the Made in Japan version offers the extra quality of being hand made in the brand’s Osaka factory.
Being a synthetic speed boot offering, the upper is extremely lightweight and feels great almost instantly out of the box. This doesn't come at the expense of comfort, either - they genuinely feel like slippers and are among the most comfortable boots I've worn in recent years.
The FG soleplate is made up of triangular studs for a good level of aggression, and Mizuno have also used the same Enerzy foam seen on their running shoes to add the kind of energy return that is great for boots in general, but especially in the speed category.
If you are looking for a new pair of moulds, the Mizuno Alpha Made in Japan is an excellent option as truly one of the highest quality boots currently available. It is also an extremely expensive boot in an already expensive market so, if you are willing and able to pay a little extra for the best, then this pair is very hard to beat.
Best for attackers
With the Superfly 9 Elite, Nike have once again provided a great option for those looking for an excellently aggressive soleplate for firm ground. Featuring a combination of tristar and bladed studs, traction is aided immeasurably both when taking off quickly and chopping and changing direction quickly.
I believe the most noteworthy feature on the boot is the addition of a football-specific Air Zoom unit that has been incorporated into the soleplate for the first time. While this is technology that has been utilised in football boots in the past, the Superfly 9 Elite marks the first time that it has been tailor-made for use in a football boot. The Air Zoom unit helps to provide an extra spring when taking off, and is one of the most unique features of any boot currently available.
When it comes to the upper, the Superfly is made up of Nike’s grippy mesh Vaporposite+, upgraded from the material on the previous generation. This is a thin, lightweight material that seeks to provide a barefoot touch on the ball. Clearly designed for wingers and strikers, these lightweight, aggressive boots act as rockets for your feet. Literally.
- Read our full Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite review
Best for touch
Featuring what I believe is the most versatile firm ground soleplate on the market, the New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro Low is a refined boot compared to its predecessor, with the upper texturing updated and the heel area made more anatomical to provide better lockdown.
The upper is once again made from New Balance’s excellent hypoknit material, making the Tekela one of the most comfortable boots straight out of the box, taking no time whatsoever to break in. This is in addition to being wonderfully flexible and thin, creating a wonderful one-to-one feel with the ball.
Underfoot, conical studs are predominantly used, though there are bladed studs around the outside of the soleplate that aids in traction and changes of direction on natural grass surfaces.
It says a lot about the quality of the New Balance Tekela that the biggest drawback is the sizing, which seems to deviate quite significantly from what I've found from the other major brands. I would recommend going a half size down at least for the best fit with this pair. For me, the fit was still very snug, but certainly preferable to if I had gone down a full size. This is a pair that you should try for size before buying.
- Read our full New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro Low review
Best for comfort
In replacing the very popular Phantom GX, the second version of the model both builds in some areas and loses in others - but I'd still urge you to consider it as a great option if you're wanting a new pair of firm ground football boots.
The GripKnit on the upper is once again one of the highlight features, providing an added grip superior to any of the best boots available on the market. The texturing on the surface of Gripknit as seen on the Nike Luna Elite is combined with the first model of the GX to offer a balance with the stickiness of the knit itself. This added to the wonderful softness and comfort of the upper makes wearing the GX 2 a very pleasant experience.
Similarly, the stud pattern uses the same configuration from the Phantom Luna 1, the boot specifically created for women. Nike's Cyclone 360 plate is geared towards aiding pivoting movements and providing multi-directional traction - though this is perhaps where the GX 2 loses out in comparison to the previous generation, with the original Phantom GX soleplate among my favourites. The Cyclone 360 outsole is extremely flexible in the midfoot to the extent that is sacrifices stability, which isn't ideal when playing on firmer surfaces.
- Read our full Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite review
How we test football boots
As this guide specifically focuses on the best football boots for firm ground, our expert tester put as many boots through their paces during both training sessions and in games. This helped give a proper idea of what they're like in different situations, and is the best way our tester believes in finding out their true performance levels.
We're passionate about football boots and regularly attend launch events and Q&As to get as much information as possible from manufacturers and designers before we begin, too, helping to put a brand's claim up against what we're actually feeling underfoot.
All of our reviews are honest (despite working with brands, nobody can "buy" a good review from us) and we always have real footballers in mind when giving recommendations.
How to choose the right pair of football boots
Selecting the right pair of boots can often prove a difficult task when there are so many options available, but, ultimately, personal preference should always prevail. That, and making sure they fit correctly.
Finding a pair that you like and work well with is always the best bet, so taking all of the technologies with a pinch of salt is of paramount importance. There are still a few factors to consider, however, to help make your decision a little bit easier...
Sizing
The single most important factor to take into account is how a pair of boots fit. After all, how they look won't affect your performances on the pitch, but how they fit your feet certainly will. You don't want your foot sliding around and giving you blisters, nor do you want them so tight that it becomes simply unbearable to wear them any longer.
As a result, we'd always recommend going into a shop and physically trying loads of different boots on first to give you a real feel of which pair works for your feet. That way you don't shell out a load of money on boots that are simply just too uncomfortable for your feet.
