FourFourTwo Verdict
Entering such a saturated football market against some of the biggest brands in the sport is always difficult, but Sudu might just have cracked it with the SFS FG 01+ Pro. Comfortable, lightweight and aggressive, the boots have everything you want. Some of the design elements are a little bit garish, however.
Pros
- +
Responsive outsole
- +
Good comfort
- +
Short break-in period
- +
Will suit narrow and wide feet
- +
Close touch on the ball
Cons
- -
Branding could be seen as too prominent/overkill
- -
Toe-box could be pointy for some
- -
Not available in soft ground
The Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro is the UK brand's first forray into the football boot market, following on from recent entries by Skechers, Sokito and Kipsta.
But if someone told you that they had not heard of Sudu, I couldn't fault them. Recently entering the world of football as the kit manufacturer for Wolves this season, Sudu - which is a combination of the words speed, velocity and tempo - has also set a lofty goal of competing against the very best football boots, with the brand's first attempt certainly a solid effort.
The boot has many exciting features that make it perfectly up to standard for the modern game, Sudu are a brand that should not be overlooked when comparing against the bigger names in the market. I put them to the test in a number of gruelling training sessions and intense matches across the course of a few months to ascertain what their true performances level are like.
Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro review
Providing a customised fit on the top of the boot through the brand's PE moulded sock liner and a padded heel that adds comfort without any blister or irritation issues, the Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro are some of the most comfortable football boots I've tried in a while. Soft and pliable straight out of the box, the Speed Weave+ upper helps ensure an extremely short break-in period while also moulding quickly to the shape of your foot.
Providing you're not at the extreme, these boots are certainly suitable for players seeking the best football boots for wide feet, though they're also snug enough for those wanting something narrow, too. The boot is categorised as a cross between a speed boot and control boot, and it definitely provides that very impressive lockdown the best football boots for speed all have.
My feet felt secure and stable while playing, with no issues of heel slippage or rollover. As far as sizing goes, the boots fit true to size. I wear a size 9.5 UK across most brands and was satisfied with the fit. There was only a tiny bit of space in the toe area, but that will obviously vary depending on the thickness of the socks you wear.
Sudu has named the outsole, the Pebax Spring Plate, with its purpose to aid speed and agility. Consisting mainly of chevron-shaped studs for traction when sprinting and making cutting movements, with some longer blades in the heel for stability and deceleration, the Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro provide that bite comparable to some of the best football boots for wingers.
Responsive and providing a springy feel, the outsole performs very well and does exactly what it says on the tin, helping me always feel nimble and on my toes whenever I played in them. Usually, I would advise against using a boot with an outsole like this on 3G pitches, but the chevron studs have some curvature to them meaning it didn’t bite too much to the surface. I also didn’t feel any discomfort in my joints while playing or the following day after using these on astro turf - though I'd always recommend seeking out the best football boots for astro turf if you're regularly playing on artificial surfaces.
The upper is composed of Speed Weave+ knit and Sudu’s Sensatech 5D Print, with the aim here to provide a closer touch on the ball. The 5D print just means elements of the upper are embossed and debossed, so doesn't have too much of an impact on playing.
It's a relatively thin upper, with some subtle cushioning which offers a close touch on the ball with some dampening. The 5D print helps provide a subtle tactile feel when dribbling and striking without being too sticky as well. All in all, having the ball at your feet feels very natural in these boots.
In summary, the Sudu SFS FG 01+ Pro is an extremely strong entry into the football boot market by a brand that many won't be familiar with yet, apart from Wolves fans. Sudu have created a boot that combines the features that make a good speed boot and control boot and you would think they had been making football boots for years with how well they perform.
The boot is lightweight and comfortable, with a responsive outsole and provides a close, natural touch on the ball that all lovers of the beautiful game should enjoy. If you’re interested in trying a new brand, you shouldn’t think twice as you will be pleasantly surprised.
A self-proclaimed football boot scientist and long-time boot collector, Subomi is better known as Sub on his platform SubStance Football, creating content across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. He creates content around football gear, while using his expertise in Material Science & Engineering to explain certain aspects of football gear technology that you won’t find anywhere else.