If you're a penalty box poacher, a false nine or an old-school centre-forward, you'll want to find the best football boots for strikers.
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. FFT has been dedicating itself to categorising designs to make boot shopping easier for you, so if you're simply looking for the best football boots out right now, or are a defender, midfielder or winger in need of a new pair, be sure to check out our other reviews.
But here you'll find the best football boots for strikers...
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Providing a clean surface area for shooting thanks to the off-centred lacing system, the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite also utilises the brand's incredible gripknit upper to improve touch and feel on the ball. They lock your feet in well with the one-piece upper, while the boots are super light, too.
With rubberised elements littering the upper, there's plenty more control for strikers when passing and shooting in the Adidas Predator Elite. What's more, these boots are deceptively light, with Adidas removing excess bulk to create something a lot more streamlined.
With a thin upper and responsive soleplate, the New Balance Furon V8 Elite provides that added bite every player needs when looking to beat their opponents in a foot-race. These also feature my favourite upper on the market, New Balance's hypoknit.
With aggressive chevron studs designed to really grip the ground, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite are made even faster by being extremely lightweight and with a super thin upper. There's some good upgrades added to the 10th edition of the model to make them even better, too.
With plenty of space throughout, the Skechers Razor 1.5 Elite are suitable for all foot types and feature the levels of comfort the brand has become synonymous with in recent times. They're by no means heavy, though, with the upper and soleplate both providing great performance.
With a full carbon soleplate and aggressive stud pattern, the Under Armour Shadow Elite 3 provides plenty of bite when sprinting and changing direction. The soleplate certainly isn't for everyone, however, with them being extremely stiff and sharp when moving at high speeds.
Best overall
Replacing the Nike Phantom GX Elite was never going to be an easy task, but the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite has done a fantastic job in doing so thanks to upgrades in key areas. I rated the original edition extremely highly, so I'm certainly affording the latest iteration great praise.
With an off-centred lacing system creating an ample striking surface that will appeal to goalscorers, the cleat has a look reminiscent of the classic Nike T90 Laser models, but with all of the best modern technologies. My favourite aspect of the boot has to be gripknit upper, which offers a stickiness on the ball and is certainly noticeable when dribbling, passing and, indeed, striking.
Sizing shouldn't prove an issue for many, either, with the GX 2 one of the best football boots for wide feet available. There's great space throughout the boot, while the material is capable of stretching to conform to the shape of your foot even better. If I were to pick out on gripe with the boot, though, is that the soleplate is too flexible for my liking and thus makes high intensity actions feel somewhat loose.
Best for shooting
Traditionally not the most lightweight of options, the latest Predator model is the lightest one ever released by Adidas, while still maintaining what made them so iconic 30 years ago. Strikers looking for more control would certainly benefit from this option - because not every No.9 is looking to run in behind defences. Don't be fooled by the old-school aesthetic, though, with the latest Predators still incredibly lightweight.
The rubber elements on the upper help directing shots towards goal, while the tongue provides a clear surface for any strikes without laces getting in the way. Adidas has subtly upgraded the boot from the 2024 model as well, with hybridtouch 2.0 implemented onto the boot that is softer and provides a better feeling on the ball.
Managing to incorporate modern technology with classic Predator nostalgia, the Elites are a pair of boots that I thoroughly enjoy playing games in. I would perhaps prefer a little more from the soleplate, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for these beauties.
Best for speed
Undoubtedly one of the best football boots for speed available, the New Balance Furon V8 Elite are lightweight, aggressive and provide great traction in every movement on the pitch. Featuring one of the snappiest soleplates around, the responsiveness from the outsole makes it perfect for gaining that split second vital when trying to get the better of opposition defenders. A key positive is that they're still comfortable despite their speed, too.
Up to, New Balance uses it's incredible hypoknit material - my favourite used by any brand on the market - to provide an excellent touch on the ball and improve those comfort levels even more. used by the brand on the upper being perhaps the best of its type on the market.
The high, off-centred lacing means there is a large striking area – making it that little bit easier to get clean shots off as well, with the one-piece upper wrapping brilliantly around the foot to keep you locked in at all times.
Best lightweight
Nike's aforementioned gripknit has breathed new life into its most iconic silo, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 10 Elite, and helps the boot perform even better than all of its predecessors.
Providing the lightweight, barefoot touch that we have come to expect from this model, the addition of the gripknit adds a further element to the renowned Mercurial experience with the sticky upper geared towards keeping the ball closer when dribbling - something that will no doubt appeal those who ply their trade at the business end of the pitch.
A responsive soleplate helps players with traction when chasing after loose balls as well, which is further enhanced by the lightweight nature of the boot. Weighing less than 200 grams, the Superfly 10 makes it feel like you've barely got anything on your feet when playing.
Best for comfort
Skechers entered the market with a bang with the release of the original Razor, and the Skechers Razor Elite features some key upgrades as part of an impressively well-designed boot that is both responsive, comfortable and lightweight.
And while Harry Kane wears Skechers' flagship SKX_01 model, the Razors are better suited for strikers. A lighter cleat engineered for speedy players, strikers playing on the defender's shoulder will benefit best from the Skechers Razor, while they still provide a great level of comfort and protection often not seen on speed boots.
Plus, they're also accommodating for players with wide feet, making them an ideal option for strikers of all variations. The brand's classic focus on comfort is retained here as well, making them a perfect option.
A release that has gone under the radar, I believe that the Under Armour Shadow Elite 3 has quickly become one of the most underrated boots available.
Under Armour's IntelliKnit is both lightweight and comfortable, but the soleplate is where the magic happens. The fully carbon fibre outsole is one of the most aggressive around and brings with it a snappiness that strikers looking to be first off the mark will welcome.
The stud pattern is brought forward from the Under Armour Shadow Elite 2, and is a unique configuration from a brand that always seeks to do things a little differently. However, it may be the slightest step too far and we have seen many pros opt instead for the outsole from the UA Magnetico underneath the show-stopping Shadow Elite upper.
How we test football boots
Here at FourFourTwo, our boot testing procedure is all about getting boots on our feet and personally trying them out in kickabouts, training sessions and matches. Our writers test each pair over a number of weeks, in various playing conditions, in order to get a proper idea of what they're like on a football pitch.
This is the best way to find out if boots are better suited for firmer or softer ground, what level of traction they offer and how else they're geared towards improving a player's game. 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.
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 best 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.
Each brand may champion the latest piece of technology as something that will enhance performance, but that isn't always the case. 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...
Getting the right fit
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.
After all, you don't want your foot sliding around in the boot, or being too tight for that matter, either. We'd therefore recommend going into a shop shop and trying boots on, finding which models work with your feet and which ones don't.
That's because some options can be extremely narrow, while others are a bit wider and offer more space. Some football boots also feature different shapes in the forefoot - there are so many subtle differences that could have a negative impact in the long run if you don't choose the right pair.
Styling
Once you've found the right fitting soccer cleats, there will undoubtedly be a range of colourways and styles available on the market. This is where players can truly come to express themselves, with the majority of brands offering colors that are both simple and flashy for the exact same pair.
Some variations in the same boots also include whether or not they're laceless, or if they feature a dynamic fit collar. Plenty of areas to customise the same pair of boots, then.
