Foothys
The History of Football Shoes
The history of football boots is an intriguing journey that spans centuries, reflecting the evolution of the sport and the changing needs of players. From a simple beginning to cutting-edge technology, the story of football boots encompasses innovations tailored to ultimately address the diverse needs and anatomies of all football players.
EARLY STAGES
In the early days of football, the early 19th century, players used to play football in their work-shoes. The shoes sometimes had a metal toe cap and metal studs and were quite heavy, dangerous and hard to manoeuvre with. The game of football was characterized by its raw physicality and the football shoes mirrored this simplicity. In later parts of the 19th century, as football became more regulated and organized, the first actual football shoes were designed and manufactured. These boots were made of thick letter, laced up the ankle for more protection and were still pretty heavy: around 500 grams. Furthermore, there still wasn’t a lot of variation in football shoes, no fancy colours and no effort into tailoring shoes to the perfect shape of wide or narrow feet. During the first half of the 20th century, little progress was made in the development of football shoes, this was due to a reducing amount materials and demand during the World Wars. Brands like Gola, Valsport and Hummel dominated in this era.
DRASTIC IMPROVEMENTS
From the 1950’s onwards, the football shoe evolution made a jump forward, starting with the introduction of screw-in studs by Adidas. This invention allowed players to adjust the type and length of their studs based on the playing surface, tailoring the football boots to the diverse football fields that players would encounter in these days of the game. In the 1960’s, many football shoes were designed to be lighter and more flexible, following the example of the South-Americans. Furthermore, the football shoes got lower, which meant that the boot would not be protecting the ankle anymore. These changes allowed for more ball control, more speed, quicker change of direction, and more shot-power. Adidas became the biggest leader in the market, and in 1979 it introduced one of the most iconic and still widely used football shoe models ever: the Copa Mundial. In the following years, brands as Puma, Nike, Umbro and Lotto entered the market and further innovations were made. Manufacturers started experimenting with new soles, different colours and new synthetic materials as material for the football shoe construction. Brands started recognizing the need for performance-enhancing features and started optimizing aspects as feel and comfort, and football shoes were becoming a fashion statement.
The Adidas Copa Mundial
RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR FOOTBALL SHOES TAILORED TO WIDE OR NARROW FEET
The early 2000s marked an important switch in football shoe evolution, as manufacturers started incorporating technologies to address the diverse build of players. Nike's Mercurial line, while focusing on speed and agility, also began offering variations to cater to different foot shapes. This was a subtle acknowledgment that the one-size-fits-all approach was no longer sufficient, and players with wide or narrow feet needed tailored solutions. Adidas responded to the call for inclusivity by introducing options within their Predator line to accommodate different foot widths. The boots featured stretchy collars and customizable lacing systems, providing a more personalized fit. This adaptability was crucial for players with wide or narrow feet who sought comfort without compromising on performance. During the 2010’s, brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma even introduced special product lines destined specifically for players who were in need of a wider or narrower football shoe fit. Please checkout our SHOES page, to check what product lines are suitable for your model of feet!
THE FUTURE AND WOMEN FOOTBALL SHOES
The football shoe industry keeps evolving with innovative and lighter materials, new concepts such as football shoes without laces, socks added to the shoe and even the introduction of smart technology. We can expect to see boots equipped with embedded sensors and microchips that gather real-time data on a player's performance. From tracking speed and distance covered to monitoring acceleration and deceleration, these smart football shoes aim to provide valuable insights for players, coaches, and sports scientists. During the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup, Nike launched the first football shoes designed for women, the Nike Phantom Luna. Woman typically have a smaller heel and midfoot and wider forefoot and therefore require a different model of football shoe. For more information on this interesting topic, please read the article of KneeSpain . And in addition, we will see more environment-friendly football shoes in the near future as brands recognize the need for more sustainability. Check our other blog for more information about this!
The Nike Phantom Luna