| The construction of modern day football boots is much | | | | Another major change in design has been the |
| more advanced compared with how they used to be | | | | introduction of blades. These are an alternative to the |
| manufactured. In the past soccer shoes were very | | | | studs which are located on the soles of football boots. |
| basic and there was only a small amount of difference | | | | Boots are now made with both changeable and |
| between the leading manufacturer's products. The only | | | | moulded blades just like footwear with conventional |
| visible identifying factor was the logo or brand that | | | | studs. One criticism of blades is their performance in |
| each manufacturer included on the boot. | | | | wet weather conditions and some managers do no |
| The main football boot materials were black leather | | | | approve of their use for this reason. |
| and plastic. Nowadays sportswear giants have a huge | | | | There has been some recent controversy regarding |
| budget to spend on design and development of new | | | | football injuries. In particular metatarsal injuries seem to |
| soccer shoe designs. Extensive research goes into | | | | be on the increase. Critics of modern football boot |
| how improvements can be made by using certain | | | | design claim that the materials used in the construction |
| materials. The aim is often to make the boots more | | | | of today's boots do not offer the same level of |
| lightweight while still providing ample protection for the | | | | protection as the boots of old. They claim the |
| feet. | | | | footwear is too lightweight with the emphasis on |
| The materials that are used on modern boots are | | | | speed rather than strength. Most manufacturers |
| often man made and synthetic fibres are commonly | | | | dispute these criticisms and point out that player safety |
| used alongside leather. In some cases, synthetic fibres | | | | is of paramount importance to them. |
| are used instead of leather as this is a much cheaper | | | | Today soccer shoes have become a fashion |
| option for the manufacturer. Synthetic materials also | | | | accessory as well as an essential piece of equipment |
| allow ground breaking designs and the famous Adidas | | | | for all players. Football boots are designed in a variety |
| predator boot was one such example. Ridges were | | | | of bright colours intended to catch the eye and stand |
| included on the boot which helped players to swerve | | | | out from the crowd. There are still some examples of |
| the ball. The use of synthetic material in football boots | | | | boots made with black leather although these are in |
| may not be to everyone's liking but this is considered | | | | the minority compared to the more extravagant |
| to be environmentally friendly compared to using | | | | designs. |
| leather. | | | | |