The 20 Best Football Boots of 2021
Mon, Dec 13.21
With boot releases just about done for the year, we take a look at our favourites and countdown the best 20 boot releases of 2021.
20. New Balance - First Edition
Earlier in the year New Balance revealed its exclusive ‘First Edition’, the most advanced Tekela v3+ football boot, in a limited-edition colour shifting effect allowing the boots to change colour depending on the light and viewing angle.
The boots was available for just 48 hours only and the ultra-exclusive ‘First Edition’ is introduced without any visible branding, a world-first for the brand.
The unique design enables footballers at every level to experience New Balance’s latest innovation, at the same time as elite players
19. Adidas - Predator Eternal Class - Blackout
The Predator Accelerator is considered by many as the greatest of all time - and this never before seen blackout pair which has just dropped will long live on in the history books as one of the most stunning versions ever.
18. adidas - Copa Mundial Primeknit
The most iconic boot in football recieved a fresh update for their anniversary special. Introducing the adidas Copa Mundial 21 Primeknit FG.
We covered off the first Copa Primeknit football boots, the Copa 70 year anniversary drop back in 2019, in our history of adidas Primeknit football boots the other day - and the 2021 follow up is even more beautiful if you're a fan of colourful boots.
17. Mizuno - Morelia Neo III β Blue Lagoon
Mizuno introduced us to one of its most vibrant colourways of the Morelia Neo III β this year. The boot is Made in Japan, and it is engineered with speed in mind. This means that it is double bonded to ensure a long-lasting, durable boot. The bright scuba blue is paired with red accents that pop through the Runbird logo, heel window and soleplate
16. Adidas - Copa Sense+ Inner Life
In March this year adidas unveiled the Copa Sense+ Inner Life with the upper of the boot documenting how the technologies help athletes reach their peak on pitch through visual storytelling - something we love.
The design uses pop colours of blue, red, green, orange and yellow to bring to life the boots design innovations brightly on the white base layer. The key features brought to the surface are the new SensePods, TouchPods and SoftStuds - allowing players to understand the reasoning behind each and further appreciate their role.
15. Diadora Brasil Sala ID
The Brasil Sala ID utilises an asymmetrical design which combines an ultra-soft leather interior with a breathable mesh exterior. This guarantees breathability and lightness during the game.
The Brasil Sala ID also makes it easier to stop the ball. This is because of the rubber film on the toe-box with a wear-resistant grip effect. There's also a scratch-proof rubber sole and "ergo-stop" shape on the back of the sole.
14. Adidas - Predator Freak Paul Pogba x Stella McCartney
The next much hyped Paul Pogba signature boot arrived this year, featuring an iconic Stella McCartney leopard graphic, wrapped across the boot and merged with an ‘earth explorer’ graphic beneath striking orange Demonskin spikes. An opalescent finish and ombré rainbow mirror metallic plates round off the incredible design of this history-making vegan adidas football boot.
13. Mizuno Morelia IN
Another indoor option, the new Mizuno Morelia IN arrived this year, a boot that has dominated the indoor game since 1985, these are the pinnacle court option.
Everything you know and love about the Made In Japan outdoor boots is found on these. The premium K-Leather upper is second to none and the overall build is of the highest quality.
12. Nike - SK Phantom GT
Nike shut it down this year with their collaboartion with Skepta, giving us the SK Phantom GT.
The red butterfly print applied to the uppers continues Skepta’s exploration of creative metamorphosis, while the chrome Swooshes and soleplate on the Phantom are inspired by the silver jewellery that’s an integral part of Skepta’s style
11. Adidas - Marvel X-Men Collection
The iconic Marvel characters Wolverine and Cyclops took centre stage with this release, with Predator Freak+ and .1 paying homage to Wolverine and X Ghosted+ and .1 devoted to Cyclops.
We think you'll agree both look absolutely amazing and the two boots are so cool even non-football fans will want them for their collection.
10. Mizuno - Morelia Wave
When the latest Mizuno MIJ drop arrives we'd usually start off gushing over Mizuno's craftsmanship, attention to detail and all round respect for their trade. We feel we don't need to anymore though - you guys all know.
The Morelia Wave is part of the ‘Made in Japan’ series and is crafted by hand from premium grade K-leather, which provides a quilted and luxurious feel.
9. adidas - UCL Pack
Inspired by the official colours of the UEFA Champions League, adidas released the UCL Pack this year, which features two archive models in the Predator Pulse and the F50 Ghosted Prime, brought back to shine once again on the biggest club stage of them all.
8. Nike - Phantom GT 3D
Nike have turned it up a notch earlier in the year with the the Phantom GT Elite 3D. The design features the words Phantom, Skills and Nike Football on the upper in White/Chlorine Blue/Pink and Blast/OptiYellow, which will be hard to make out at first glance given the cool 3D-inspired graphics.
Why those three words in particular? Because they relate to the three key attributes of Phantom players who are multifaceted; calculated, instinctive and have a provocative style of play – think Kevin De Bruyne, Joshua Kimmich and Jack Grealish.
7. Adidas - EQT Predator Freak
Adidas dropped one of the cleanest boots of the year with the EQT inspired Predator Freak. The design on the boots combines the classic EQT colourway beautifully with the white upper, black Three Stripes and green rubber elements making these unmistakably EQT.
On the heel area is the famous adidas Equipment logo which debuted back in the 90s. The Predator logo sits on the top front and back of the extreme collar while the silver sole plate rounds off the design.
6. Nike - Mercurial Dragonfly
The Mercurial is one of the most popular silos of all time and continues to change the game. The new Mercurial Dragonfly design focusses on the natural geometry of a Dragonfly’s wing as a guide to driving maximum efficiency with minimal weight. This has led to a super lightweight model which relays the pure essentials of speed.
5. Nike - Tiempo Legend 9 Rawdacious
Nike introduced us to the new Tiempo Legend 9 this year, finally giving us the next gen of their iconic Silo. The rawdacious colourway provided the perfect canvas for a reworked Swoosh, inspired by the original and iconic Nike brand logo, created by Caroline Davidson way back in 1971.
4. Nike - Mercurial Superfly Mbappe Flames
The Mbappé Flames takes inspiration from the young stars standing in the game. It's clear he's the hottest property in world football, with everyone after his signature next season. How do you portray that onto his latest signature edition? Simple. Flames. A design feature Kylian himself was keen to see implemented.
The flames in the design also relate to speed. He's one of the fastest players on the planet. His energy is electric and his feet are firing with goals tallying up with every game. He really is immense even at the young age of 22 - it feels like he's been around for ages.
3. Nike - 1971
The debut boot was originally called "The Nike" and was the company's first football boot and the first shoe to feature the iconic Swoosh logo. At the time it was a massive aesthetic and technical move forward from Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight's brand. This release came under "Blue Ribbon Sports" which was the company name before changing to Nike in 1978.
The boots aimed to focus on control, traction and stability. They had a molded rubber outsole, nine studs at the forefoot and four at the heel. The boots definitely had some problems and today they look basic, but the impact these had on Nike at the time was huge and set the tone for the years to come.
2. Adidas - EA Sports Legends pack
So let’s not kid ourselves here – the Predator is the attention grabber of the trio, with that luxurious golden tongue demanding that you fold it right down. Absolute banger. It’s a one-for-one remake of the 2004 original’s upper, sat on top of the current Predator Freak soleplate to keep the weight down. Modern day performance… if you dare wear them on the pitch!
So you came for the Predator, but you’re staying for the F50 adizero, and adiPure. Every part the class addition to the pack, adidas take it back to 2007 for the first ever remake of the adiPure series, faithfully recreating that luxurious leather upper. Those sleek stitch lines through the vamp, the clean white Three Stripes, all topped off with gold trim.
1. adidas - Messi X Speedflow 'El Retorno'
Our favourite boot of the year has to be the adidas Messi X speedflow 'El Retorno'. There's been a host of unbelievable adidas x Lionel Messi football boots over his journey. With Messi having moved to Nemeziz in recent years, Speedflow marks a back to the future moment with arguably the games greatest ever player returning to adidas's speed silo. It's a huge moment.
It's also no surprise but very cool to see adidas paying homage to F50 with this release. Given F50 had been so successful in the past, the transition back to the iconic silo is sure to excite fans of the Three Stripes. Even if it's not called F50.
If you want to pick up any of the boots mentioned be sure to visit Ultra Football in Sydney or Abbotsford and ultrafootball.com.
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