Soccer Cleats Buying Guide

Comfort is the most important factor by far. Choose a boot that has a slightly tight fit when buying because they'll expand overtime. There should be a gap of 7mm-10mm between the longest toe and boot material. Also, choose a pair appropriate to your foot type. Some boots are more suitable for narrow feet and some are best for wide feet. If you're not sure about your foot type, have your feet assessed by an expert.

Playing surfaces range from soft ground, firm ground, hard ground, Astroturf and indoors. An extension in the model name (SG, FG,HG, TF, IN) indicates the most suitable playing surface. What determines the suitability is of course, the studs. SG boots will have round studs which are best for soft or wet playing surfaces. HG and FG have 'bladed' studs, best for dry and hard surfaces. Astroturf boots have many rubber studs and indoor boots might not have studs at all. The wrong usage of boots can lead to drop of performance, reduced life span of boots and/or injuries.

Some boots enhance your performance in a particular area more than others. Find out which of your playing attributes you'd like to enhance . Be it first touch, accuracy, speed, swerve etc. there's always a boot which helps you improve on any particular aspect(s).

The higher your level of play, the more hi-tech your boots should be. If you're playing on a lower level or play recreationally, you wouldn't want to waste a lot of money on high end boots.

With football boots, you get what you pay for. The more technology incorporated into them, the higher the price. But do remember that higher-priced boots are not necessarily better.

Style is not the most important of aspects, but you do want to look stylish.

Shop for boots in the afternoon. This is the time when your feet's volume are maximum.

Get recommendations from others who've used a particular boot before. You won't get the feeling of playing on a football pitch by running around the store.

Do some research before buying. Don't let store owners rip you off. Read the reviews posted on websites, blogs and magazines.

If you want high-tech boots without the expensive price tag, go for the predecessors of current high end boots.

Shop online. You'll have more choices and might get better deals.

Once you've made the purchase, DO remember to break them in.

Equipped with technical knowledge, personal experience and an undying love for the game, Des Azhan reviews football boots at soccerstuds.net [http://soccerstuds.net]