Football shoes from French Days

Forward, midfielder, defender: a shoe for each position

The position influences the choice as much as the size. The forward and winger, who thrive on acceleration and strikes in full motion, look for a very lightweight shoe with a slim upper, like the adidas F50 Hyperfast or the Nike Mercurial Superfly. The midfielder, who touches the ball a lot, appreciates the textured upper of the Predator, as its contours help in long passes. The defender, more exposed to duels and tackles, prioritises a robust upper and good heel support. Finally, the goalkeeper needs a sole that grips well during lateral pushes and a stable fit, more than an ultra-light model.

The rest of the gear

The French Days football also includes:

• Shirts, clubs and national teams.
• Juniors, shoes and kids' kits.
• Goalkeepers, gloves and kits.
• Teamwear.
• Equipment, balls, shin guards and bags.

All the offers are gathered on the football page.

Leather or synthetic: the feel of the ball

The upper determines the sensation when in contact with the ball. The kangaroo leather, thin and supple, remains the reference for touch: the Mizuno Morelia, launched in 1985, has made this its trademark. It molds to the foot in a few sessions and relaxes slightly, hence the importance of choosing a snug fit. The synthetic uppers of the Predator and F50 are lighter, absorb little water in the rain, and retain their shape: they are chosen in the exact size, as they hardly stretch. Leather requires regular maintenance with appropriate grease, while synthetic just needs a quick wipe after the match.

Laces, laceless or fold-over tongue

Within the same range, adidas offers several closure systems. The classic lacing remains the most precise for adjusting the tension on the instep. The LL versions, for laceless, like the F50 Hyperfast Elite LL, replace the laces with an elastic upper that provides a smooth striking surface. The FT models, for fold-over tongue, like the Predator Elite FT, add a long fold-over tongue that covers the laces, a nod to the Predators of the 1990s and 2000s. Laceless is chosen for a slim foot and medium instep, as it cannot be adjusted; a wide or very arched foot prefers laces.

Size: getting your studs right

A football shoe is worn closer to the foot than a regular shoe: you take your usual size without margin, and check that there's barely half a centimetre in front of the big toe. Fitting should be done at the end of the day, when the foot has slightly swollen. The heel should not lift when pressing on the toes, and the foot should not slide forward when stationary. For small children’s sizes, you check the margin with the thumb, with the child standing and bearing weight on both feet. In terms of width, the Predator generally offers a bit more volume than the F50, known for its snug fit.

Frequently asked questions

What football boots for synthetic turf?

On a recent synthetic surface, an AG sole, with short and numerous studs, distributes pressure and limits knee locking. FG/MG soles are tolerated, but a classic FG sole wears out faster and grips too much on this surface.

What changes with the Kylian Mbappé edition of the Mercurial?

The player editions replicate the shoe worn by the star, with a colourway and graphic details unique to them. The technical base remains that of the corresponding Mercurial Superfly: it is chosen for style as much as performance.

Do new football boots need breaking in?

Yes, especially if they're leather: you wear them two or three times at training before a match to let the upper adjust to your foot, which avoids blisters on the first day. A synthetic model requires less breaking in but also benefits from being tried before the competition.

Why can studs hurt underfoot?

Pain under the sole often comes from a sole unsuitable for the ground, like FG studs on a hard surface that concentrate pressure. A size that's too small or a too rigid upper causes friction on the toes and heel instead.

What football boots for an eight year old?

At this age, you choose a lightweight and flexible model, with Velcro or elastic upper, and a versatile FG/MG sole for grass and the club's synthetic surface. A Club or League level is more than sufficient, as children change sizes from year to year.