Good shoes for football (soccer)

minirhyder

I've taken up playing football on a weekly basis. This is friendly, noncompetitive football, so cleats aren't allowed. I've been playing with Converses thus far, but it starts to hurt after a while, in particular my toes where the nose of the shoe sort of narrows.

So what are some suggestions for football shoes. Regular sneakers, or a specific shoe with a special shape or something?

Esh

minirhyder wrote: »

I've taken up playing football on a weekly basis. This is friendly, noncompetitive football, so cleats aren't allowed. I've been playing with Converses thus far, but it starts to hurt after a while, in particular my toes where the nose of the shoe sort of narrows.

So what are some suggestions for football shoes. Regular sneakers, or a specific shoe with a special shape or something?

EDIT: Whoops. Read that quickly and saw "no cleats" as indoor. Grab a pair of Adidas Sambas and you'll be golden. You still want to try them on in person. What I wear in Converse, I wear about a 1/2 size to a full size up in Adidas.

cmsamo

Are you playing on astroturf (artificial grass) or actual turf?

Get a variant of something like this, and you'll be good to go. I've used Adidas astroturf boots for all "non cleat" football for years, and they have never let me down.

Grenn

Depends on what surface you're playing on, but I've had a couple of boots from the Nike5 range and they've been conforatable and lasted well.

I play 5-a-side on artificial grass and currently wear Nike Tiempo Mystic IIIs - grippy, sturdy, light. I love 'em.

minirhyder

We play in different locations. We played on astroturf for a little while, but now we're playing on a mix of grass and dirt. Mostly dirt though.

mts

a pair of turf shoes would be best. they do make indoor specific soccer soes if you want that sort of commitment. otherwise samba's are cheap

Slider

I am a huge fan of the old school Adidas Copas and World Cups.

Copa Mundials.

World Cups.

I used these two shoes during my soccer career and was never disappointed.

Esh

Slider wrote: »

I am a huge fan of the old school Adidas Copas and World Cups.

Copa Mundials.

World Cups.

I used these two shoes during my soccer career and was never disappointed.

OP specified no cleats.

Slider

You can find the same style shoes with no cleats.

minirhyder

I got me some Sambas!
But they kinda feel stiff, like bowling shoes. Is this normal? Is it just a matter of breaking them in or is this a weird thing that no one has ever experienced?

Fiziks

minirhyder wrote: »

I got me some Sambas!
But they kinda feel stiff, like bowling shoes. Is this normal? Is it just a matter of breaking them in or is this a weird thing that no one has ever experienced?

They take a few games to break in, but once they do they'll be the most comfortable shoes you've ever worn.

minirhyder

Well I walked around all day in them and I figured out that the shoe was a half size too small, so I went and exchanged it for a bigger size and they feel much better. They do need a break in but they definitely don't feel as stiff as before.
Thanks guys!

dispatch.o

Well, I mean friendly league or not, cleats and shin guards are more for safety and injury prevention than anything. Any real reason why they aren't allowed?

I'd say go to a sporting goods store that offers a variety and try to find something with a low tow and strong stable material for the ankle. Pumas and Adidas are worth looking at. I can't even imagine playing without cleats so I would go with what feels good on grass.

edit:
Ankle/Knee injuries happen all of the time with the right gear, I'd be wary of playing on anything but nice dry grass.

minirhyder

I'm not sure, but my guess is that being stomped on with cleats can probably be painful.

Like I said right now we're playing on a mix of grass and dirt. It's supposed to be grass, but it's verryyy patchy, and some spots are just plain dirt. I haven't had any problems with playing with regular converses so I think it should be ok.

Avicus

I like to wear the boots with the spined cleats, the ones where the cleats are long, thin, and plastic. They don't hurt as much and are made for dirt/short grass. When its wet or soft ground then you gotta swap out to the cleats.

minirhyder

Well I got stepped on today with cleats and it hurts like a bitch
The cleats scraped some skin off my ankle so it feels unpleasant, so I guess that's why they aren't allowed.

On the bright side, today was the first game with my new Sambas and they were awesome! Very very nice shoe, and my game actually improved from them. I could actually keep the ball for a while. Converses are horrid for football.

Avicus

minirhyder wrote: »

Well I got stepped on today with cleats and it hurts like a bitch
The cleats scraped some skin off my ankle so it feels unpleasant, so I guess that's why they aren't allowed.

On the bright side, today was the first game with my new Sambas and they were awesome! Very very nice shoe, and my game actually improved from them. I could actually keep the ball for a while. Converses are horrid for football.

Get some shin pads if you don't already.