Posted by Oliver Wilson

We've been getting a little boot crazy here on World Football Daily and we really don't know when to stop.

As football fans - who also happen to be pretty nerdy when it comes to our football equipment - we love seeing new products form our favourite sports brands. Nike, adidas, Lotto, Puma, Diadora, Warrior, you name it, we love seeing it. Shirts, shorts, boots, training gear and, of course, footballs, we want to bring you our top picks every couple of weeks in these categories.

First up, arguably the most important category to any part-time pro, football boots.





Before I get into the top five, here are a couple of honourable mentions.

Puma evoPower Stampa




adidas Predator Touch 1996





Nike T90 Laser II (Blue and White)




All of the above look great but weren't unable to make the final cut.  These, though, are the top five boots of all time.

Lets kick it off. 

5. The Nike Mercurial Mk1 - The Original R9



Quite simply, it's the boot that paved the way for all other modern boots.

Worn by the greatest player in the world at the time, Ronaldo carved his way through opposition defences right the way to the World Cup final in 1998. Unfortunately the dream ended there for R9, but the boot's legacy lived on through both the players spectacular failure against Zidane's France, and the technology and synthetic design that went into building it.



It was also one of the first tailor made boots for a player.

A CLASSIC. 

 
4.  Puma King Top 1982 K di (White)



I don't think much needs to be said about these. When white boots became popular in the 90's it became the mark of top modern players. If you were good enough to get away with wearing white boots, you knew you were good.  

The Puma Kings were sleek, simple and oh so stylish, the type of boot you almost didn't want to play in incase you got them muddy.

The fold over tongue shows the boots retro feel while the Kangaroo leather is soft and comfy for the wearer.  





3. Nike CTR360 Maestri III (Green and White)



 Rafa loves telling the story of how Nike flew him up to Portland for a weekend of football and drinking with other journalists. While the whole party atmosphere of the weekend, combined with trying out Nike's newest gear, sounded great, the real reason I was (and still am) so jealous of his little trip to the Pacific North West is because he got to wear and bring home a pair of these bad boys.



They just look beautiful, with some great colour schemes (in yellow and black they're fantastic too), and help provide a little extra touch and control when wearing them.

The peak of Nike's technology to assist the playmakers of the game, if I were to own a pair of Nike boots, it would be these.

 

2. adidas White or Samba Copa Mundial



If you ever listen to the show, you'll know how much I love these boots. A modern twist on a classic shoe, the limited edition white Mundials I was almost in boot heaven. There's nothing better than seeing a classic boot, worn by Zico, Franz Beckenbauer etc be given a facelift shows adidas paying homage to one of it's most iconic styles and bring is into the modern era. 



Mr Adi Dassler himself played a big part in designing the boot just before he passed away and many see it as the las big show piece he brought to the company before his death.  Released in 1982 to coincide with the greatest World Cup of all time, Spain '82, the boot reminds us of a phenomenal period in the game's history.

White boots nearly always look great, but to then decorate them in adidas' new Samba colours for this year's World Cup in Brazil was a stroke of genius. No longer will the Mundial be thought of as a plain black, bland boot by todays youth. 

Football bliss.

 
1. adidas Predator LZ DB 



18-months ago I was able to get my hands on a pair of adidas Predators. I've always been a fan of the Predator boot since 1996, but, having never owned a pair before then, was always sceptical of how boots design over the ages could truly help with striking the ball.



After three games wearing them, I was totally convinced. adidas' lethal zones do really help with passing and control and it has helped, even the wildest player like myself, find that each bit of touch on a Monday night and Sunday evening.

adidas' three stripes on the side of the boot always get the boot porn juices flowing through the veins and this boot, in either bright yellow or pink and silver, looks the absolute business.



They are, by far, the comfiest boot I've ever worn and you do get a cheap thrill from blasting a bullet strike into the boots corner with these bad boys. 

The best boot on the planet (to date).

Who has picked the best selection of boots, Juice or Rafa?
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