Advice on buying football boots
It is very difficult to compile a complete guide to buying football boots. Which boots are purchased depends upon such things as budget, sole plate, construction and style. Above all else are the preferences of the individual player.
The Correct Size to Buy
We all know that different manufacturers seem to have a different interpretation to the international size chart. Pantofola d'Oro boots are famous for their generous fit. Our best advice is to order your shoe size and not the same size as the famous brand you may wear.
The Fit of the Shoe
A football boot should feel snug to the foot – but not too tight. The laces should be used to shape the boot to the foot by being tightened along their entire length. Players should take time to pull the loops of the lace tight throughout the length of the upper which may be six to eight 'eyes' long. The support given to the foot by having the lace properly tightened throughout its length will help avoid injury and blisters caused by poorly fitting boots. Being made entirely of fine quality leathers means that your pair of Pantofola d'Oro will 'educate' to the shape of your foot given time and wearing. This will ensure maximum long-term comfort. If laces have to be pulled too tight in order to stop the shoe from being loose, then the boot is probably too big.
The Sole Plate
In common with many manufacturers, Pantofola d'Oro make various sole plates that are suitable for different ground conditions. The four we stock are Interchangeable, PU Moulded, Hard Ground / Astro Turf and Indoor soles. In an ideal world, a player should have two pairs of boots for matches (interchangeable studs and PU moulded studs) and two pairs of trainers for indoor and astro turf surfaces. This will help prolong the life of the footwear and reduce the possibility of injury sustained by wearing incorrect boots or trainers.
At Best-For.com we're not recommending that buyers purchase four pairs immediately. Most players will already have many, if not all, of the four sole plates on boots and trainers already being used. Pantofola d'Oro football boots and trainers are made to last and your collection can be bought over time. We recommend that customers assess their current footwear and purchase the sole plate required during the following periods:-
- Interchangeable Studs - Winter months
- PU Moulded Studs - Summer, Autumn and Spring months
- Hard Ground / Astro Turf - Summer and Winter months. Use as street wear.
- Indoor - All year round – can be used as street wear.
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Interchangable Studs
The most common soleplate worn by players in the UK is the six studded interchangeable sole. Usually associated with soft ground boots, the studs can be changed according to ground conditions.
The six studs are riveted through the sole and give maximum grip on soft ground. The sole is stitched to the upper.
These soles are unsuitable for use on firm ground as impact on firmer surfaces can rupture the sole and lead to discomfort, blistering and impact injury to the feet and knees.
At Best-For.com we stock three models of Pantofola d'Oro with this sole: Dream, Desiderio and Star. |
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PU Moulded Studs
PU Moulded soles have twelve studs with an additional seven smaller studs to provide support to the ball of the foot. This sole plate is an excellent choice for use on firm ground surfaces and is the best as a general purpose football boot.
The sole is made out of Poly Urethane (PU) and is stitched to the upper. Unlike Interchangeable studs (above) the studs are not riveted through the sole which means the weight of the impact is evenly spread over the width of the soles helping to reduce injuries to feet and knees. These boots are supremely comfortable at all times. On softer ground, the build-up of mud on the sole under the ball of the foot can reduce grip however, many players prefer the comfort these soles offer and can be seen removing the build-up of mud during the game.
At Best-For.com we stock two models of Pantofola d'Oro with this sole: Dream and Desiderio. |
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Combination Sole
The Combination Sole simply mixes six interchangeable studs onto a twelve studded PU moulded sole. The interchangeable studs are riveted through the sole. This sole plate is an excellent choice for use on firm to soft ground surfaces. It is slightly more versatile than either PU Moulded or Interchangeable studs by offering the wearer the ability to change the six studs according to ground conditions. In practical terms, the build-up of mud under the ball of the foot that can reduce grip on soft ground surfaces means the sole is very similar in day-to-day use to the PU moulded sole.
At Best-For.com we stock one model of Pantofola d'Oro with this sole. The Cometa. The sole of the Cometa is similar to the sole shown however, it is coloured black. |
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Hard Ground / Astro Turf Sole
The Hard Ground / Astro Turf sole is ideally suited to hard summer grass pitches and Astro Turf surfaces. The soles are dimpled to provide extra grip where studs can not work effectively. Boots / trainers with this sole are a must-have for winter training and offer a fine alternative during summer months on hard grass pitches.
At Best-For.com we stock two models of Pantofola d'Oro with Astro turf soles. The Ascoli has a black sole and Mitica Elite has the amber sole shown left. |
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Indoor Sole
Designed for use on indoor surfaces, the indoor sole ensures maximum comfort on grip. Boots or trainers with this sole tend to have more padding on the inside of the shoe to protect the wearer from impact injury. Indoor soles have become popular 'street-wear' over recent years.
At Best-For.com we stock one model of Pantofola d'Oro with this sole: Star Indoor. |
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