The Boot Roundup: The Best New and Upcoming Footwear Releases For Both On and Off the Pitch

Summer is winding down, but there’s still plenty of heat being released in terms of footwear. From the newest boot models to soccer-inspired off-pitch sneakers, we’ve compiled a list of the best recent and upcoming drops to keep you looking fresh. 

When we think of football fashion, the first thing that comes to mind is kits and lifestyle wear. But sneakers and boots also play a big role in how footballers and football fans express themselves both on and off the pitch.

In what’s been a memorable summer for all of the wrong reasons, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the footwear world as well, pushing back release dates and forcing design detail changes. However, as we inch towards a return to normalcy, we’ve gotten a handful of new releases for both on and off-pitch wear.

Just sit back and let us guide you through the best of those offerings that have either recently dropped or will drop in the near future.

New and Upcoming Boot Releases

Football boot technology has changed rapidly over the past 10 years. The classic leather offering looks to be going the way of the dodo bird, and taking its place are knitted or more highly engineered uppers made from some form of plastic or textile. With this rapid advancement, manufacturers have started releasing new boot models at an incredible rate. These are the best of those new releases.

adidas X Ghosted

adidas has long taken part in the “speed boot” category. First, we had the F50, then we got the X, and now the Three Stripes has introduced us to the X Ghosted line.

The Ghosted+ keeps the laceless design of its predecessor, but it also brings back the carbon fiber soleplate (with the carbitex carbon fiber inserts) from the speed boots of old.

The X Ghosted.1 is a bit more affordable (albeit still at a rather gaudy $225 MSRP), and it features laces for those who prefer a more locked-in feel. Also, the soleplate is non-reflective, giving you a better look at the carbon fiber inserts.

The adidas X Ghosted+ and X Ghosted.1 releases September 1 via adidas.

Nike Phantom GT

Ever since the T90 series and CTR360 were discontinued, Nike has continually changed the name of their “control” boot silos. We had the Hypervenoms, Magistas, and then the Phantom VSNs and Phantom VNMs. Nike has now decided to blend all of the silos together and has just recently released the Phantom GT (or Phantom GT DF if you purchase the high-cut collar version).

Nike claims that this is the most data-driven football boot that they have ever created. These boots have a Generative Texture design (hence the GT in the name), which adds raised edges in strategic areas of the boot determined by large amounts of data analysis.

We have seen players that absolutely loved the first generation of Hypervenoms and Magistas. Will the Phantom GT become the next Nike boot that ballers around the world dream about?

Pick up the Nike Phantom GT via Nike.

PUMA Ultra

As a boot brand, PUMA has been a “tweener” for a few years. They haven’t had a boot specifically designed for “speed” or “control” since the discontinuation of the EvoSpeed and EvoPower lineups. They have had the ONE, as well as the FUTURE, but both of those boots have been a little bit of everything. In steps the PUMA ULTRA, a boot with a soleplate inspired by running spikes.

PUMA knows a thing or two about speed, having supplied Usain Bolt’s running spikes throughout his career. So if you see your opposite number popping up across from you in these, watch out because they just might burn you all over the pitch.

Pick up the PUMA ULTRA via PUMA.

New Balance Tekela v3

The latest boot to join the laceless wave is the New Balance Tekela. Introduced in 2018 just ahead of the World Cup, the Tekela’s third installment is obviously the most revolutionary yet.

While the Tekela v3 has dropped in several colorways since its unveiling, our favorite has to be the Rose Lavelle signature edition. The beautifully done rosy off-white colorway paired with custom details are truly marvelous. Plus, it’s for Lavelle, who is one of the most dynamic players in the world.

Shop the entire Tekela v3 line via New Balance.

New Boot Colorways

A colorway of a specific boot can bring up memories that you thought were long forgotten. All boot nerds can name the major tournaments that coincided with specific boot launches and color schemes. To me, the 2014 World Cup colorway lineup gives me chills. The bright reds and yellows of Nike’s boots and the black and white spots of adidas are as memorable as it gets for me. Although I don’t think there will be too many boot lineups that will spark those same happy memories of this summer, there were still some excellent releases.

adidas

Along with the X Ghosted, adidas introduced the “InFlight” pack ahead of the 2020-21 season. The versatile range features bright and bold editions of the Nemeziz and COPA models as well as a black and gold Predartor (a Predator fan’s dream).

In a limited release, the Three Stripes also dropped an “Art” pack, which was quite fitting, as the boots were designed in collaboration with Reuben Dangoor. This limited collection featured both on and off-pitch models of the Predator, including the first-ever 4D midsole on a Predator trainer.

The final pack of adidas’ summer is the aptly-named “Dark Motion” pack. These black boots feature pops of color in the soleplate as well as small accents in the upper. Turn up to your local pitch in these, and people know that you are all business.

Shop more adidas boot colorways via adidas. 

Nike

Nike had an equally interesting summer, which included a slew of new signature edition boots and vibrant packs.

Just ahead of last week’s UEFA Champions League final, Nike revealed an incredible all-pink Mercurial for uber star Kylian Mbappe. While Cristiano Ronaldo may still be the top footballer under the Swoosh, Mbappe may leapfrog Neymar for the throne once Ronaldo retires. There could be some serious Succession-esque drama when that day comes.

Not to be outdone however was another young superstar in Jadon Sancho. The Dortmund midfielder got a Mercurial Superfly of his own, dipped in a loud all-over print that pays homage to the street pitches in London he grew up playing on. The pack also included a special bottle of Nandos PERi-PERi sauce, a tribute to one of the sauciest players in the game, as well as a full lifestyle collection.

Of course, the Euros were planned for this year, and Nike had another unforgettable boot pack to go alongside it. While the games were postponed, the boots dropped under a new name. Dubbed the “Neighborhood” pack, all four silos have a streetwear edge, and have even drawn comparisons to adidas’ Yeezys.

Later in the summer, Nike dropped two more packs, The “Black x Chile Red” and the “Daybreak,” at once. Offering a little something for all kinds of ballers — both the subdued and the flamboyant — the level of detail in both packs is superb. You just might miss some design aspects if you don’t see them in person.

Shop the entire Nike range of boots via Nike. 

PUMA

PUMA released a few new boot colorways this summer as well, and they’re quite contrasting to say the least. Starting with the “Rise” pack, we have a bright half-and-half design that alternates between a neon pink and lemon yellow. You better bring your A-game if you are wearing these — otherwise they serve as a flashy target for your opponents.

For those with a more classical disposition, PUMA dropped an all-white edition of the timeless KING Platinum. With a soft K-Leather upper and “RAPIDSPRINT” outsole, the KING Platinum is the lightest edition of the storied KING franchise to date.

Shop the entire PUMA range of boot colorways via PUMA. 

New Balance

As we mentioned, New Balance released a few boot packs this summer, the most recent being the stunning “Night Heat” collection. While they may look like your typical blacked-out boots at first sight, they have a little twist. Much like luminescent scorpions in the desert, both the Tekela and Furon v6 boots shine under UV light.

We’ve seen boots with reflective material on them in the past, but the UV details are truly unique and they might be the aid you need for those late night training sessions.

Earlier this summer, NB released another boot pack, dubbed “Rise and Reign.” In contrast to the “Night Heat” pack, which has both boot models in the same colorway, the “Rise and Reign” saw a contrasting white Tekela and black Furon.

Shop the entire line of New Balance boot colorways via New Balance.

Off The Pitch

adidas adicross Retro 

The first of our off-the-pitch offerings is one that actually keeps you on the grass. adidas released their adicross Retro golf silo in special Arsenal and Manchester United editions, so that you can bring your club pride to the fairways.

Pick up the adidas adicross Retro via adidas.

adidas Samba x LAFC

The second off-the-field release comes from another club and brand collaboration. adidas and LAFC teamed up to provide two pairs of black and gold Sambas. You can choose to stand out, or be understated in your fandom for the newest club in LA. Removable tongue inserts further give the wearer customizable options in what has quickly become a classic release.

The adidas x LAFC Samba is sold out on adidas, but try your luck with resellers like StockX or GOAT.

adidas Ultra Boost DNA 

adidas continued their off-field options with the Ultra Boost DNA pack, which is sure to help you gear up for next year’s Champions and Europa League. This boot pack matches the third kits that adidas will be releasing for each of their headline clubs. The teams that feature are Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

Shop the adidas Ultra Boost DNA line via adidas.

Nike Presto and Air Max 95 “South Korea” and “Nigeria”

As if the Nigeria and South Korea kits meant to be worn at the 2020 Summer Olympics weren’t fire enough, Nike included full lifestyle collections for each country that included a pair of special edition Prestos and Air Max 95s.

Nike nearly broke the internet when it announced the jerseys and the notion that they’re straying away from overtly templated kits, and things became even more frenzied when they unveiled these sneakers.

For the South Korea editions, the Presto features the tiger stripes to match the home jersey, a pink lace cage to match the away, and details like the flag on the back heel and icy outsole take it to another level. The Air Max 95 is a bit more abstract, although the color scheme of the camo-like design is still similar.

The Nigeria Presto similarly incorporates the kit’s pattern throughout the shoe, including “NAIJA” on the back heel, and the motif continues on the stunning AM95. A truly wonderful collection and excellent execution from Nike.

The Nigeria Air Max 95 and Presto are set to release soon, and you can pick up the Korea Air Max 95 via Nike and Presto via ProDirect Soccer.

Nike Air Zoom Freak 2 “Naija”

You thought we were done with Naija? Giannis Antetokounmpo may be a basketball phenom, but he’s got some serious love for football — not to mention skills to boot. Though his moniker has unfortunately become “The Greek Freak,” these editions of his signature Nike model pay tribute to his parents’ Nigerian roots.

Pick up the Air Zoom Freak 2 “Naija” via Nike.