It can be hard to determine exactly what kind of quality you're getting for your money when looking for the best football boots under 100 pounds or dollars. With so many top sportswear brands continually releasing new boots as well, staying up to date with the latest technology isn't easy.
Fortunately, we're here to help as we've put together a list of the best football boots on a budget using price, of course, and reviews to inform our selection, as well as any standout features or technology included in these amazing budget boots.
What kind of technology are we talking about? Well, the PUMA Future Z 2.1s, for example, feature compression bands inside the boots to ensure your feet remain locked in place during a match.
Similarly, the adidas Copa Sense.3s come with knitted fabric collars for a more secure fit during play whilst keeping the weight of the boots to a minimum to avoid the feeling of being weighed down as you move.
As a result, some of these boots can seriously give you the edge on the pitch, despite their low price tags. So, read on to find your next pair of football boots to take your skills to the next level.
Best football boots under 100
- adidas Copa Mundial
- PUMA Future Z 2.1
- Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Pro
- adidas Copa Sense.3
- Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Academy
1. adidas Copa Mundial
Best all-round football boots under 100
Material: Leather
Stud Type: FG Moulds
The adidas Copa Mundial has been a go-to boot for many football fans ever since it debuted at the 1982 World Cup as it offers a simple yet effective design that has withstood the test of time.
adidas has kept a lot of what made the Copa Mundial so great intact, including the full leather upper with a simple nylon lining which should mean it withstands even the most challenging of weather conditions.
It also features a very retro cloth and leather tongue, designed to help you get the boot on with ease so you're ready to play football.
Ultimately, if you're after a solid all-rounder, we feel it's hard to look past what are arguably some of the best adidas football boots ever made, featuring everything you need for training and matches.
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2. PUMA Future Z 2.1
Best football boots under 100 for strikers
Material: Synthetic
Stud Type: FG/AG Moulds
If you play up top, then these PUMA Future Z 2.1s could be the perfect budget boots for you.
What we like most is that PUMA has gone above and beyond to ensure the boots fit comfortably thanks to the FUZIONFIT compression bands, designed to lock your foot in place.
Moreover, PUMA boasts another benefit of FUNZIONFIT is that it is lightweight which, accompanied by the Dynamic Motion System outsole, allows for superior traction for explosive multidirectional movement to beat the last line of defense. All in all, we feel these PUMA boots are a great option to consider.
Read More: Best PUMA football boots
3. Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Pro
Best football boots under 100 for wingers
Material: Synthetic
Stud Type: FG Moulds
A number of top wingers have worn Mercurial's over the years, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar.
The reason for this is that the Mercurials are built primarily for speed, and these Vapor 14 Pros are no exception with their lightweight synthetic upper and fabric sock lining.
Furthermore, the boots come with FG moulds and ribs on the instep which should provide you with excellent traction and control down the wing. With All Conditions Control (ACC) technology as well, you'll be able to controller the ball close to your feet, regardless of the weather conditions.
On the whole, we feel these boots a well worth considering if you're after something lightweight for playing down the by-lines.
Read More: Best Nike football boots
4. adidas Copa Sense.3
Best football boots under 100 for midfielders
Material: Synthetic
Stud Type: FG Moulds
These adidas Copa Sense.3s look to be the ultimate boots for controlling the midfield.
adidas boasts the boots feature soft leather insteps for added assurance to every touch, plus TPU outsoles to keep your game in motion on firm ground. Additionally, they feature a knit textile collar which should provide easy entry and a secure lockdown so you remain comfortable for an entire 90 minutes.
Ultimately, there's a lot to like about these Copa Sense.3s, especially for midfielders, which is a big part of the reason they feature on our list.
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5. Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Academy
Best football boots under 100 for defenders
Material: Synthetic
Stud Type: FG/SG Moulds
The Nike Tiempo Legend 9 is designed to be one of the best boots for control. which is key to the likes of van Dijk and Pique's games, two players who also wear Tiempo boots.
What we also like about these boots is that they're light, weighing just 228g, making them suitable for modern defenders who need to be quick to play high-pressing lines.
In terms of traction, they come with a balanced soleplate that features 13 moulds, engineered to grip any surface comfortably to help you avoid making any mistakes as the back.
Overall, we feel these Tiempo Legend 9s include a lot of features that suit the modern defenders game, which is why we're including them on our list.
Read More: Best Mizuno football footballs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
With so many variations of football boots out there, you probably have a few queries about them, but we're here to clear up a few of the most common questions.
What should you look for from a pair of football boots?
When looking for a pair of football boots, there are several key factors to consider that can greatly impact your performance on the field.
Perhaps the most crucial aspect is the fit. Look for boots that provide a snug fit without causing discomfort or pressure points. Opt for a size that offers a little room for natural foot movement but avoids excessive slippage. The boots should provide ample support to prevent injuries and allow you to move freely.
Consider the type of playing surface you usually encounter as well. Football boots are designed for specific surfaces like firm ground, artificial turf, indoor courts, or soft ground. Choose boots with appropriate soleplates and studs that are suitable for the surface you predominantly play on. Moulded studs are a good shout here as they can be used on the majority of playing surfaces.
The quality of the materials used in the construction of football boots is also important to consider as it affects durability, performance, and comfort. Common materials include leather, synthetic materials, or a combination of both. Leather boots are old-school and durable, but synthetic materials often offer lighter weight, durability, and resistance to water absorption. Knitted boots are also becoming more common, providing the lightest ride, generally speaking, of all boot materials.
Adding to this, you may want to consider the level of ankle support offered by the boots. Low-cut boots provide greater freedom of movement and agility, while mid-cut or high-cut boots offer additional stability and protection to the ankle. Evaluate the potential trade-off between mobility and support based on your needs.
Ultimately, the ideal pair of football boots will vary based on personal preferences, playing style, and the specific conditions you encounter. It's important to try on different boots, if possible, and take into account your own feedback and experiences to find the perfect fit that helps optimise your performance on the pitch.
Should you buy leather or knitted football boots?
This really depends on your style of play and what you are looking for from your football boots.
Leather boots tend to be a little more durable as they are often thicker than the knitted fabric and a much stiffer material in general.
However, this usually means they're slightly heavier, so might not be as beneficial for someone who looks to utilise their pace.
As well as being lighter and more breathable, knitted boots open the door to more features like being laceless, so often suit attacking players more as they're after the cleanest strike of the ball possible.
That said, coming into contact with studs may cause the material to tear a little easier than leather boots, so they may need replacing more often by comparison.
What do the different abbreviations for the studs mean?
SG simply refers to soft ground and will likely mean the boots in question have screw-in studs that are more suited to your standard grassy Sunday league pitch.
FG means firm ground and tends to include boots with moulds or blades which benefit you when you're playing on a grass surface that is slightly more solid but still has a bit of give to it.
If you happen to play the majority of your football on astroturf, 3G, or 4G pitches then you might want to look out for AG, or artificial ground boots which tend to come with shorter, rounded moulds that don't ruin these unique surfaces.
What size football boots should you buy?
Football boots are notoriously difficult to buy in the right size as each brand has its own unique sizing.
Getting the right size is vital for comfort and performance, so a good way of checking is by measuring your foot's dimensions and comparing your results to the boot's size guide or chart.
Nike boots tend to be slightly bigger than say adidas or Puma boots, but it is definitely worth measuring to avoid having to send them back if they don't fit.
How do you clean football boots?
Keep your football boots in good condition between games in order for them to perform as they should on the pitch.
We'd recommend regularly cleaning your boots, particularly around the studs or moulds, to remove any built-up mud and dirt which may impact your levels of grip.
To remove the dirt underneath, you can first try removing as much mud as possible by banging the soles together, then, use a brush to wipe away any leftover build-up.
For your safety, and the safety of others on the field, you may need to replace metal studs when your boots have become significantly worn underneath.
For more extensive information, check out our step-by-step guide on how to clean football boots which includes our top tips for cleaning when you encounter an uncommon material, and our recommendations for things to avoid doing to prevent any damage.