Good gear: Artificial-turf football boots
You need special footwear if you want to be fantastic on the plastic. Alex Tovey keeps his feet on the fake grass
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Your support makes all the difference.Anyone who has played football on artificial turf knows its problems – it behaves quite differently to grass, and boots often stick or slip when you're not expecting it. The answer is specialist boots. Puma lead the way in this market, employing two types of cleats on the sole: numerous and smaller at the front, fewer and fatter to the rear. These have been specifically designed to aid turn and acceleration, and they succeed. A gel heel offers added balance when backtracking and turning. The tongue was slightly uncomfortable, though, with an annoying squeeze around the top of the foot, and at £60 the boots aren't cheap.
Unlike Puma, Nike and adidas have both opted for small rubber studs rather than cleats. They each have their own view of the best shape for these, but both boots give excellent acceleration and good traction during sideways movement. The adidas Incision could offer a little more protection around the foot, and is a boot more for strikers than defenders, while the Nike Air Zoom Astro, with its comparatively limited shooting area, is the reverse.
Comfort, as in all footwear, is paramount. Fila's Euro Cup boot has a padded instep and heel protection, which makes for a snug fit and helps reduce impact and stress when kicking the ball. This is a nice, simple boot, with nothing out of the ordinary bar the snug fit, but it is effective and very competitively priced. The only mild criticism is that the sole is rather basic and underdeveloped. Nike's protection around the back of their boot limits the strain on the foot, which again is a plus where comfort is concerned.
In addition to their other claims, many of the manufacturers go so far as to suggest that their boots can make you a better player. Reebok's Enigma boots, for instance, enclose their laces – you tie them up via small, V-shaped opening. With the bindings inside the boot and an elongated tongue, the result is a greater striking area, providing a clean instep for enhanced touch, although the bow of the laces does break the smooth surface. The adidas Incision has an impressively close fit which allows for a soft touch when receiving the ball, and, in theory, increases precision and manipulation of the ball when passing and trapping – which is all very well, but any boot is still only as good as the foot inside it.
adidas Incision
Comfortable fit gives good touch, slanted studs aid grip. Available from First Sport 0191 518 2002.
Price: £29.99
Fila Euro Cup
Snug fit and anatomic design help close ball control, padding reduces stress. Stockists: 0191 495 4989.
Price: £29.99
Puma King Allround TT
Great control on slippery surfaces. Gel heel aids acceleration and turn, blade grips help you keep your feet. Stockists: 01924 425 555.
Price: £60
Nike Air Zoom Astro
Excellent support around sole and upper foot, strengthened protection around the Achilles. Stockists: 0800 056 1640.
Price: £50
Reebok Enigma
Long button-grips give extra-secure control. Asymmetric lacing system hides laces, increasing striking area. Stockists: 0800 305 050.
Price: £35
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