The Best Boots of 2022

2022 has been a historic year in football and even more historic in boot design. This year brought back some top designs from football history, reinvented already classic boots, and provided much needed updates to the game’s top boots. With a multitude of sweet new colorways and designs, the biggest boots got even bigger in 2022. 

Air Zoom Mercurial

Arguably the top boot of 2022, the Air Zoom Mercurial brought a refresh to the already speedy and powerful boots. On the upper sits a grippy grid mesh material that enhances players’ control and touch on the ball, specifically at the speedy moments of the match. Nike also made sure that they made the boots more comfortable and more powerful with the inclusion of the all new Zoom Air Unit. An air bag that takes its inspiration from the iconic Nike Air Max, the bag sits in 3/4s of the sole and offers a springiness to players movements. The new speedy boots made sure that speed would never be unstable again with a totally redesigned sole plate design. New Tri-Star studs offer more grip and stability on and off the ball, perfect for the boots destined for relentless speed. 

 

Predator Edge 94+

It was the resurrection and remake of one of the most iconic boots in football history. The Predator Edge 94+ remade the iconic 94 Predator worn by some of the game’s biggest icons. Combining the tech of the Predator Edge and 94 Predator, these boots easily became one of the softest and most dynamic boots in the Silos history. The upper was designed with a super soft and supple leather, like the boots from 94 along with the iconic three stripes and colorway. The boots of the present are designed with a laceless design, bringing the past into the future. On the upper we get the sleek Zone Skin design that takes ribbed rubber edges, offering enhanced control at even the highest speeds the game throws at you. Taking the tech of the previous iterations of the Predator, the Edge 94+ is home to the Power Facet that redistributes your weight for more powerful and precise strikes on the ball. 

Made in Italy Tiempo 

Montebelluna, Italy is one of the most iconic names and locations in the world of football known for its legendary boot factory and leather.  What better way to encompass the legendary city than with a pair of boots that celebrates its iconic history in one of the game’s most legendary boot silos. The Made in Italy Tiempo, gives the Tiempo Legend IX that signature Montebelluna K-Leather that is more soft and supple than the current K-Leather on the Tiempo. The simplistic design of the Made in Italy Tiempo makes sure that the boots and their high quality material take the spotlight. A metallic silver plate offers that extra refined look to an already high quality pair of boots. 

Ultra Ultimate

The speediest boots from PUMA got a futuristic upgrade that brought more speed to an already speedy pair of boots. From top to bottom these boots take on a new and more impressive look making some of the game’s fastest players look like their speed is from another planet.  Designed with the all new ULTRAWEAVE upper, the ultra-light and stretchy fabric works to remove excess weight and friction, with a super strong feeling. PUMA made sure to include tech that keeps your foot locked down and secure even when you’re moving at your fastest speeds. You may be asking, “What makes these new Ultras Speedier than its predecessor?” A combination of the lightweight and secure materials pair with a Dual Density SPEEDPLATE outsole that gives take off and quick cuts more speed than ever.  

X Speedportal

Launching into a new wave of speed and onto the scene was the X Speedportal. Upgrading the X Speedflow was a step into the future of speed for adidas with updated materials and a reimagined design for speed. Throughout these boots we get small updates that give us a major new boot, perfect for players headed to the tournament and playing on the game’s biggest stages. On the upper adidas has included Speedskin 2.0 that adds an extra textured overlay on the upper that ensures you have the most optimal ball to foot contact even at the toughest and highest speeds of the match. New to the iconic X silo is a powerful high speed stability system that includes a stability wing and support cage that keeps your foot locked into the boots, meshing speed and stability seamlessly. Adidas has also updated the Speedframe with a carbon fiber soleplate that snaps you back into place and keeps you responsive and ready for action. 

The large selection of colorways for the X made it difficult to pick our favorites, but the launch colorway from the Game Data Pack and Shadowportal Pack definitely topped our list. 

Future Z 1.4

PUMA’s most popular pair of boots got a powerful upgrade in 2022 that made these boots a total must have when you hit the pitch. The Future Z 1.4 offers more power and control than many of the boots on the market. Designed with the second-generation FUZIONFIT+ collar, the boots easily adapt to the shape of your foot offering you the most unmatched support and flexibility throughout the entire match. The best part of the adaptive band is that you can sport the boots with laces or laceless letting every player pick how they want to rock the boots. Engineered with PUMA’s illustrious Dynamic Motion System is paired with half moon studs ensure that stability and injury prevention is better than ever before. PUMA made sure to upgrade the upper with extended Advanced Creator Zones that give your touch game-changing control and power. 

The Future Z 1.4 has been a staple boot for PUMA and offers touch and power unlike any other pair of boots in the game. Not only do these boots offer unmatched power, but their colorways in 2022 have been something truly unique. Our top Future Z 1.4 picks of 2022 include the Fearless Pack, Neymar Jr. Signature boots, and the Fastest Pack. 

Phantom GX

The latest release of 2022 came to us during the World Cup but saw the redesign of the beloved Phantom GT.  The upper is home to Gripknit technology that makes grip at even the toughest and speediest moments of the match easier than ever before. The Gripknit material is made with a soft and stretch yarn material coated to protect the yarn and your foot from all weather conditions. The GX also features a new agility plate that offers a multitude of stud shapes and additional studs on the plate to give players multidirectional traction unlike ever before. The GX comes in both the low cut and Dynamic Fit collar so players can grab the boots of their choice. The dynamic fit boots are home to a lace cover that players loved in the Phantom VSN iteration of the silo, but  both extend the upper over the second lace to give you a bigger striking surface.

 

What was your favorite pair of boots from 2022? Let us know in the comments!