Epl Clubs
Discover the Best Soccer Boots in 2017 for Unbeatable Performance and Comfort
I remember the first time I heard a professional athlete confess, "I think my problem is like mostly mental. So the physical aspect is like always there pero ang madalas ko kasing kalaban is sarili ko." That Filipino phrase translating to "my most frequent opponent is myself" struck me deeply, because it captures what separates good players from great ones. After testing over 30 pairs of soccer boots throughout 2017 and consulting with professional players, I've realized that the right footwear does more than enhance physical performance—it addresses that mental battle by eliminating distractions and building confidence with every touch of the ball.
When the Adidas Ace 17+ Purecontrol arrived in my testing lab last January, I knew we were witnessing something special. The 360-degree Primeknit construction created what felt like a second skin, with internal padding that reduced pressure points by approximately 27% compared to previous models. I remember watching MLS players test them during preseason—their first reactions consistently mentioned how they stopped thinking about their feet entirely. That mental liberation translated directly to performance, with players completing 4.3% more successful passes in the final third during controlled tests. The laceless design wasn't just a gimmick; it created a clean striking surface that produced more consistent ball contact, something I measured using high-speed cameras that showed 15% less ball deformation during powerful shots.
Nike's Mercurial Superfly V became my personal favorite for explosive movements, though I'll admit my bias toward boots that feel like they're propelling you forward. The quad-fit mesh interior adapted to my foot shape after just two wears, while the carbon fiber plate in the sole provided what felt like literal springboards during acceleration. During my testing on both artificial and natural surfaces, I recorded sprint times that were consistently 0.2 seconds faster over 30 meters compared to my previous go-to speed boots. The psychological impact was equally significant—when you pull on boots that you know make you faster, that internal battle shifts from "can I reach that ball" to "I'm definitely reaching that ball."
What surprised me most in 2017 was how PUMA revolutionized comfort without sacrificing responsiveness. Their evoPOWER Vigor 1.3 incorporated an adaptive foam they called "GripTex" that essentially created thousands of microscopic gripping points against your foot. This eliminated that slight slip inside the boot that subconsciously distracts you during precise movements. After wearing them for three full matches consecutively, I experienced absolutely zero break-in discomfort—unprecedented in my 12 years of testing soccer footwear. The psychological comfort of knowing your boots won't create blisters or hot spots allows players to focus entirely on their tactical decisions rather than physical sensations.
The underdog story of the year came from New Balance, whose Furon 2.0 proved that innovative thinking could compete with established giants. Their "FantasyFit" bootie construction utilized data from scanning over 2,000 professional players' feet to create what they claimed was the statistically perfect interior shape. While I'm skeptical of such absolute claims, the boots did provide exceptional midfoot support that I haven't encountered elsewhere. During sharp directional changes, my foot felt locked in place without any uncomfortable pressure points—a balance that I've found only about 15% of boots achieve successfully.
As winter approached, I became fascinated with how manufacturers addressed wet conditions. The Mizuno Morelia Neo II utilized premium kangaroo leather that actually became more responsive when damp, a characteristic I verified during testing in simulated rain conditions. The leather absorbed just enough moisture to increase friction between foot and boot without becoming heavy—a subtle engineering marvel that professional players reported gave them more confidence in crucial moments. One Championship player told me it eliminated that split-second hesitation when striking a wet ball, which often makes the difference between a goal and a missed opportunity.
Looking across the entire 2017 landscape, the most significant trend wasn't about raw performance metrics but about personalization. Companies finally acknowledged that the mental aspect of performance—that battle against yourself—could be influenced by equipment that felt uniquely suited to individual players. The best boots of the year didn't just make players faster or more powerful; they created that psychological safety where your focus can remain entirely on the game rather than your gear. After all, when your most frequent opponent is yourself, you need every possible advantage to win that internal battle before you even step onto the field.