If you're a budding wing-back or a seasoned sweeper, you'll want to find the best football boots for defenders before the new season kicks off.
Having the right boots can make a huge difference to a player's game, with certain ranges specifically designed to assist defenders, midfielders and attackers. While any player in any position on the pitch can wear whatever football boot they like - centre-backs are still allowed to shop the best football boots for strikers, the best football boots for wingers, or even the best football boots for speed if they wish - this guide is simply that; a guide for those unsure about what their next pair should be.
Fortunately, I've been dedicating myself to categorising designs to make boot shopping easier for you. If you're simply looking for the best football boots out right now, be sure to check out our other reviews.
But here you'll find the best football boots for defenders on the market right now...
The quick list
Featuring the best of both worlds, the Adidas Copa Pure 3 Elite featuries modern technologies alongside a natural leather upper. It might not be the thickest, but there's plenty of padding and protection for defenders seeking an up-to-date boot.
They're padded thanks to the quality leather; they're surprisingly light due to the top-end materials used, and they're hand-crafted in Japan - highlighting just how much effort has gone into their construction.
Ball-playing defenders need look no further, for the Tiempo Legend 10 Elite is a great option. With a grippy synthetic upper, protection isn't quite as good as what leather offers, but touches on the ball are exceptional.
Once comprised of natural leather, the elite version of the New Balance 442 V2 has received a synthetic upgrade - though that's not to detract from how cushioned they feel both on top and under the foot.
Modern football boots have strayed far away from the classic models players once loved, but the Adidas Copa Icon 2 is a great throwback option that still incorporates some clever bits of tech.
Hard-hitting tackles are made all the easier in these iconic boots, thanks to the highly durable leather and great protection they provide. They fit brilliantly and are comfortable underfoot, too.
Best overall
Replacing the outgoing Adidas Copa Pure 2 Elite, the latest addition to the modern Copa series is an upgrade on an already excellent boot - and by some margin, too, highlighting just how much I rate the latest model.
Very few modern boots offer much in the way of protection, but the padding offered by the generous layer of calfskin leather is perfect for defensive players who want a little more protection over the barefoot feel some of the best lightweight football boots can offer. While this does come with an extra bit of weight, it's certainly worth it for coming out unscathed during heavy challenges.
I believe these are one of the best leather football boots available at the moment. They manage to retain the classic, traditional feel of a leather boot while still incorporating the latest technologies offered by other pairs. The traditional fit, feel and design means even the most no-nonsense defenders should be tempted.
Best quality
Arguably the most comfortable football boots available right now, the Mizuno Morelia 2 Made in Japan is also extremely lightweight. Though not essential for defenders, they're a great option for stoppers wanting the best of both light and comfortable boots.
Indeed, the quality of leather is noticeable almost immediately, offering an accommodating fit, great cushioning and padding for more protection - I can honestly say that no pair of football boots have been as comfortable as the first time I put on a pair of Morelias. This is likely attractive to any player, but for a defender who perhaps places less stock in having the thinnest, lightest or highest tech boots, this build quality and comfort is all the more appealing.
Helping defenders to steam into tackles while also ensuring there isn't any unnecessary bulk is a great balance that Mizuno has managed to achieve with the Morelia 2, so defenders can have a boot that boasts all of the advantages of the pairs from yesteryear without having to accept much excess weight.
Best for passing
The Nike Tiempo has long been a defender's favourite, as evidenced by Virgil Van Dijk's current preference for the boot and Sergio Ramos and Carlos Puyol having previously opted for them. What makes these different, though, is that the Tiempo Legend 10 is the first model in the range to move away from leather. Regardless of the major change from Nike, the Tiempo Legend still remains a great option for defenders - and also earns them a spot among the best football boots for midfielders, such is their quality.
Flytouch Plus replaces leather that has so heavily featured on previous Tiempos, which is a material made to recreate the fit and feel of natural leather. The new upper is soft and flexible enough to suit defenders who are primarily concerned with ease of wear rather than the raw speed on offer from more lightweight models.
This change in material makes the Tiempo Legend 10 lighter than usual, with a slightly sleeker build seeing Nike tweak the marketing of the boot to include technical midfield players such as Christian Eriksen and Jamal Musiala. Despite this, I still felt that the cleats retained an accommodating enough shape for players with wider feet. It remains as Nike’s most traditional and stripped back option, and one that I believe is perfect for defenders who want a no-frills pair.
Best tech
Prior to the release of the New Balance 442 V2 Elite, the model acted as the brand's only kangaroo leather option through the New Balance 442 V2 Pro. New Balance has since moved away from that with the Elite's release, though, which instead features a microfibre synthetic upper built to imitate the fit and feel of natural leather.
While I believe that only natural leather can really feel like natural leather, the 442 V2 Elite does a pretty good job in replicating the comfort of its predecessor while adding some welcome features in the process, too. In direct competition with more established boots such as the Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Elite and Puma King Ultimate, the New Balance 442 V2 Elite stacks up very well in comparison, and also comes at a cheaper price.
Despite not being leather, the quilted design of the 442 gives it a plush cushioning that defenders may prefer to some of the super thin options available in the current market, and I found that players seeking the best football boots for wide feet could still benefit from this synthetic pair, too. From the fit of the upper to the simplicity of the fully conical stud pattern on the soleplate, the 442 V2 Elite has a no-frills quality.
Best value for money
Released at the same time as the aforementioned Copa Pure 3 Elite, the Adidas Copa Icon 2 has gone a little under the radar, with professionals preferring the more 'elite' version and thus garnering it more attention.
However, at around £60 cheaper (RRP) than the Copa Pure 3, the Copa Icon 2 is one of the best value options available on the market right. While its predecessor is not a boot that is likely to live long in the memory, Adidas has hit the mark with its upgraded replacement.
A modern boot featuring a leather upper at this price point has become a rarity. In fact, the Copa Icon 2 retails for the same price as the Adidas Copa Mundial, while also featuring many of the same benefits that make the icon one of the best Adidas football boots ever made, but with less bulk and plenty more modern technology.
For any old school defenders who are longtime Copa Mundial loyalists looking to dip their toes into the pool of modern football boots, the Copa Icon 2 represents a great option – bringing them into the future but without spending a penny extra.
Best for protection
The Lotto Stadio is perhaps the most iconic model from the Italian brand, and this Made in Italy version is worth consideration for any defenders out there looking for a simple and traditional pair. One of the biggest compliments I can pay the Lotto Stadio Made in Italy is that it fits and feels very similarly to the Adidas Copa Mundial, but with a slightly better construction and better quality material.
Perhaps the most iconic model from the Italian brand, this Made in Italy version offers a simple and traditional pair at an extremely high quality.
The Lotto Stadio is guaranteed to last, too, with the soleplate both sewn to the upper and connected to it through rivets, meaning a large amount of wear-and-tear is needed for the durability to be affected. Any no-nonsense defenders looking for a protective pair that allows them to make crunching tackles, all while the boot is fitting well, need look no further.
How we test football boots
Testing each pair of boots to its true potential means one of our expert members of the team, who lives and breathes football boots, wearing them across a number of different sessions to ascertain their true level of performance. Factors to consider in the performance of each boot includes comfort, stability, fit and feel.
The expert in our team considers the claims made by brands about their newest features and technologies, cutting straight to the crux of how each boot performs through simple yet detailed advice for players of all levels.
How to choose the best football boots
The football boot market can be a bit of a minefield at the best of times, with an array of options available and brands championing their latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and never miscontrolling a ball ever again.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits you and your game. Below are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...
Leather or synthetic
Defenders need to take care in deciding about the material of upper they would prefer, because they're the positions on the pitch which need more protection for tackles. With synthetic uppers thinner, and therefore more lightweight, they don't offer much in the way of protection and could put players more at risk of injury. Leather, though, is more comfortable through the thicker materials and padded inserts, but can sometimes prove a little too bulky.
There is also the option of leather-imitating synthetics that represent a nice in between. These are often more lightweight than natural leather but come with much of the same comfort and pliability.
As a result, leather does seem the better option for defenders, because protection during heavy tackles can be the difference between injuries and safety.
Styling
This is where personal preference takes precedent, with brands usually offering multiple colourways to ensure there's something for everyone.
Whatever your personality or preference, there are likely many pairs that complement it perfectly.
Getting the right fit
Trying a pair of football boots on before buying is extremely important, and something we'd vehemently recommend. Making sure the boots properly fit your feet is essential, otherwise performance could be affected.
Trying pairs on first is needed because brands often vary slightly in sizes, meaning some require you to go half-a-size higher or lower, depending on their fit.
Additionally, some boots are narrower than others, so defenders with wide feet need to ensure they get the right size otherwise they risk not being able to fit into their new wheels.
This is especially important if considering a pair of laceless cleats as the lack of laces means there is very little adaptability – they will either work for your feet or they won’t.
