Best PUMA Football Shoes: Which Pair Is Right for Your Game?

Every player has their own way of playing football(Opens in new window), and choosing the right football boots(Opens in new window) isn't just about the position you play. Some players rely on quick bursts of speed, others want more control when the ball comes to them, and some simply prefer a softer, more traditional feel.

That's why our line-up is quite varied. There are shoes built around control and creativity, lightweight construction for speed, and a softer, more traditional feel on the ball.

What technologies do PUMA football boots use?

PUMA uses different technologies across its football boots, from uppers that help with ball control to outsoles built for quick acceleration. Here's what you'll come across in the range:

• FUZIONFIT wraps around the foot to give the Future 9(Opens in new window) a secure, adaptive fit.
• GripControl Pro adds texture to the upper for more grip and control on the ball.
• SPEEDSYSTEM is the outsole technology used in the Ultra, built for quick acceleration.
• FastTrax is the Ultra's speed-focused stud design, helping you accelerate quickly.
• NITROFOAM™: PUMA's nitrogen-infused foam cushioning, used in the Ultra Nitro™ 7 for added comfort and energy return.
• TOTALTOUCH+ is the soft upper material used in the King 20(Opens in new window), giving it a more traditional, leather-like feel on the ball.

What do PUMA's Pro, Ultimate and Match football boots mean?

Ultimate, Pro and Match are different versions of the same PUMA football shoe. Ultimate is the top tier, with the most premium materials and construction. Pro keeps the same basic idea and most of the key technology, but with a slightly simpler build. Match is the entry-level version, using fewer premium materials while keeping the same overall focus as the rest of the line.

PUMA football shoes comparison at a glance

The differences are pretty clear once you put the three ranges next to each other.

PUMA Future 9

The Future 9 is PUMA's control-focused shoe, with a little more freedom around the foot than you get from its speed shoes. FUZIONFIT wraps around the foot for a secure, adaptive fit, while GripControl Pro adds texture to the upper for better touch and ball manipulation in different conditions.

What kind of player are these ideal for?

The Future 9 makes sense for playmakers and anyone who relies more on close control than straight-line speed. It doesn't feel quite as fixed around the foot as a typical speed shoe, with FUZIONFIT giving the upper some room to adapt around you. The fit is a little more forgiving too, so if PUMA's Ultra shoes tend to feel too snug, you could end up happier with these.

Before you buy: You lose a little of the light, low-profile feel you get from the Ultra, but there's more surface area and grip on the ball to play with.

Tip: Go for the Future 9 if close control, touch and a secure fit matter more to you than outright speed.

Reviews

"“I ended up liking the fit more than I expected. It holds my foot nicely, but there’s still a bit of give when I move.”"

"“What I liked most was the feel on the ball. There’s a good bit of grip on the upper, especially when you’re keeping the ball close.”"

PUMA Ultra 7

The Ultra 7 is PUMA's speed-focused boot, built to feel light on your feet. The SPEEDSYSTEM outsole and FastTrax studs are designed for quick acceleration and reliable traction.

What kind of player are these ideal for?

The Ultra 7 suits players who rely on pace and quick, explosive movement. It has the light, low-profile feel you'd expect from a speed boot, making it a good choice if you like to accelerate quickly and change direction without feeling weighed down.

There's also the Ultra Nitro™ 7, which belongs to the Ultra 7 family. It has a carbon plate and NITROFOAM™ cushioning, but it's still built with speed in mind.

Before you buy: The Ultra 7 has a close, streamlined fit. If you prefer a little more room, the Future 9 or King 20 Pro may be a better choice.

Tip: Go for the Ultra 7 if speed is a big part of your game and you want a boot that doesn't weigh you down.

Reviews

"“I liked how they felt even after playing for a while. My feet weren't as tired as I expected, especially after all the running.”"

"“They feel really light on my feet, and I love how quickly I can push off and pick up speed. The grip is great too.”"

PUMA King 20

The King 20 brings back that classic, retro football boot look, with a soft upper that feels much like traditional leather. Its TOTALTOUCH+ material is a non-animal-based textile that recreates the look and feel of K-leather while offering greater comfort and stretch. It looks like leather and feels like leather, only better.

What kind of player are these ideal for?

The King 20 suits players who care about touch and comfort and like a more traditional feel from their shoes. The engineered knit construction is designed to mould around the foot, so the fit can feel even better once you've worn them in a little. It's the kind of shoe that settles in nicely and softens with wear, keeping that familiar King touch with the flexibility of a modern football boot.

Before you buy: If you're after the lightweight feel of the Ultra 7 or the more adaptive fit of the Future 9, this probably isn't the one. The King 20 is more about comfort, a soft upper and that classic feel on the ball.

Tip: The King 20 is a good match if you like a classic-looking boot with a soft, leather-like feel that settles in nicely as you wear it.

Reviews

"“They were comfortable from the start, but I liked them even more after a few wears. The upper softened up nicely.”"

"“The feel on the ball is what won me over. The upper is soft and there's none of that stiff, overly technical feeling.”"

PUMA football boot studs and playing surfaces

Football boots come with different stud configurations for different playing surfaces. Here's how they compare.

• Firm Ground (FG): Made for natural grass pitches that are firm rather than soft or muddy.
• Artificial Ground (AG): Designed for artificial grass pitches, with studs suited to synthetic surfaces.
• Firm Ground/Artificial Ground (FG/AG): A versatile option for both firm natural grass and compatible artificial pitches.
• Soft Ground (SG): Designed for softer, wetter natural grass, with longer studs for extra grip.
• Turf (TT): Uses smaller rubber studs for artificial turf and harder synthetic surfaces.
• Indoor (IT): Has a flat, non-marking sole for indoor courts.

Not every boot comes in every version, so check the surface designation on the pair you're considering before buying.

PUMA football shoes fit and sizing

Some players like their football boots close and snug, while others want a bit more room around the foot. Fit varies across PUMA's three ranges, so it's useful to know what to expect before choosing a pair.

• Future 9: Regular-to-wide fit. FUZIONFIT wraps around the foot and adapts to its shape, giving you a bit more room if you find PUMA's narrower speed shoes too snug.
• Ultra 7: A close, streamlined fit, although the exact width can vary between versions. Check the listed width of the specific pair you're looking at, as some may feel snugger than others.
• King 20: The Ultimate has a Regular fit, while the Pro is listed as Wide. Its engineered knit construction and OrthoLite® CustomFit heel padding also help the shoe shape to your foot as you wear it.

PUMA also offers women's-specific football boots(Opens in new window) across the Future, Ultra and King ranges. These are designed with female players in mind, rather than simply being smaller men's sizes, so they're worth considering if you find standard football boots don't fit quite right.

Our recommendations

If you've narrowed down what matters most to your game, choosing between the three ranges becomes a lot simpler.

Conclusion

The best football shoes are the ones that feel right for the way you play. Some players like a light, barely-there feel, while others want more grip on the ball or something softer around the foot.

Maybe you like the feel of your current boots but wish they were a little lighter, or you want more room without losing a secure fit. PUMA's three ranges give you different options, whether you care most about speed, control or a softer touch on the ball.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right PUMA football shoes?

Think about how you like your boots to feel when you play. Consider whether you prefer a close, lightweight fit or a little more room, how important touch on the ball is to you, and whether you like a softer or more streamlined feel. The surface you usually play on matters too, as you'll need the right outsole for it.

Are PUMA football shoes durable?

Yes, PUMA football shoes are designed to handle regular training and matches. How long a pair lasts will depend on how often you play, the surface you use them on and how you look after them. Wearing the right outsole for your playing surface can also help prevent unnecessary wear.

Which PUMA football shoes are best for wide feet?

The King 20 Pro is listed as Wide, while the Future 9 generally offers a little more room than PUMA's speed-focused boots. The King 20 Ultimate is Regular, so check the width listed for the specific version you're considering.

Can I use PUMA football shoes on artificial grass or turf?

Yes, as long as you choose the version made for that surface. PUMA offers different outsole configurations for firm ground, artificial ground, turf and indoor play, so check the surface designation on the specific pair before buying.

What are the pros and cons of PUMA football shoes?

One of the strengths of the range is the amount of choice. You can go for the control-focused Future 9, the lightweight Ultra 7 or the softer, more traditional King 20. Fit needs a little more attention, though, as widths vary between models and some individual versions.

Are there different PUMA football shoes for men and women?

Yes. PUMA offers football boots in men's and women's sizing, including women's-specific versions of the Future, Ultra and King ranges. These give female players options across the same core styles and technologies, with fit varying by model.

Can I use regular trainers instead of football boots?

Regular trainers aren't designed to give you the same traction on grass, turf or artificial ground. Football shoes use outsoles made for those surfaces, giving you better grip when accelerating, stopping and changing direction.

What's the difference between Ultra 7 and Ultra Nitro™ 7?

Both belong to PUMA's Ultra family and are built around speed. The regular Ultra 7 focuses on a light, low-profile feel, while the Ultra Nitro™ 7 adds a carbon plate and NITROFOAM™ cushioning.

Which PUMA football boot is best for playmakers?

The Future 9 is the one to look at if you spend a lot of time on the ball. GripControl Pro adds texture to the upper for touch and ball manipulation, while FUZIONFIT gives you a secure, adaptive fit.