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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With aggressive chevron studs designed to really grip the ground, these Mercurials are made even faster by being extremely lightweight and with a super thin upper.
It barely feels like you've got anything on your feet when wearing these, such is their lightweight feeling. Sprinting away from defenders has never been easier.
With plenty of space throughout, the Skechers Razor are the most suitable for wide feet - though they're by no means heavy, and they still retain the brand's classic comfort.
The grippy texture makes dribbling so much easier in the Phantom GX Elites, while the flexible soleplate and two-piece upper offers something unique to sharpshooters.
With rubberised elements littering the upper, there's plenty more control for strikers when passing and shooting. These are the lightest Predators ever, too.
Best for traction
Designed for speed and close-ball control, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 includes an air zoom unit in the soleplate to provide even more feedback when pushing off past opposition defences. Incredibly lightweight, tleet-footed strikers will leave defenders trailing in their wake while wearing these.
It barely felt like I had anything on my feet when playing in the latest iteration of Nike's legendary Superflys, with the upper also extremely thin to provide a true one-to-one sensation with my foot and the ball. In saying that, though, the upper is still covered in a grippy mesh, helping give a closer control of the ball when dribbling. It's not the most noticeable feature, but does have a slight impact.
I found the Superfly version more enjoyable to play in than the low-cut Vapors, with the dynamic fit collar truly locking my feet in. Both are great options, however, with the extra bit of material the only difference. Considering how tightly they hug your feet, they're not the most suitable option for players with wide feet.
- Read our full Nike Mercurial Superfly IX review
Best lightweight
Super responsive, thanks to Adidas' decision to include a plastic insert through the middle of the soleplate and an aggressive stud pattern, the Crazyfast+ help strikers speed past opponents and chop and change direction at ease.
I loved how lightweight the upper was, too, with the ‘Aeropacity speedskin+’ giving a weightless sensation to the boot - making it feel like I was barefoot at times. In this particular boot, this does come at the expense of some structure and lockdown, and those who would prefer a different trade-off between minimalism and support may actually prefer the Adidas Crazyfast.1 in the laced variety.
However, I found there was a level of comfort that comes from the minimalistic upper that might not necessarily be seen on other boots of this variety, helping me to simply focus on scoring goals and assisting my team-mates rather than worrying about an excessively tight football boot.
- Read our full Adidas X Crazyfast+ review
Best for wide feet
Though Harry Kane may wear Skechers' flagship SKX_01 model, it's actually the brand's Razor model which are the better options for strikers. Combining speed with comfort, the Skechers Razor possesses ultra-thin materials perfect for a lightweight design, while still maintaining the brand's signature focus on comfortability.
There's great support, too, with a carbon fibre insert in the heel helping to keep the foot locked in, while the soleplate is slightly more flexible than other speed boot options. While this mean's there's a trade off for responsiveness, the highly aggressive stud pattern negates any true loss of performance.
Plus, they're a great option for those with wider feet who still want the experience of a highly responsive, lightweight boot, with the Skechers Razor certainly accommodating.
- Read our full Skechers Razor review
Best overall
One of the best football boots around, Nike's gripknit material on the upper truly helps the Phantom GX Elite stand out. While also used on the aforementioned Superfly 9, here the material is a lot more pronounced and offers an extremely noticeable amount of extra control on the ball - perfect for strikers looking to curl the ball into the top corner time after time.
The slightly off-centred lacing also makes shooting and striking the ball that little bit easier, because there's a clearer area to truly get hold of attempts at goal.
Where these do fall down slightly is the flexible soleplate, which don't provide much feedback when looking to push off. While not a major issue, sprinting from a standing start is therefore slightly more difficult than with other options on this list. Regardless, they're still a fantastic option for anyone looking to level up their game.
- Read our full Nike Phantom GX Elite review
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.
With rubber elements featured throughout the upper, players can direct their shots and passes with a little more control and comfort, while the tongue also provides a clean upper to ensure there aren't any interferences with boot and 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.
- Read our full Adidas Predator Elite review
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.
