Football boots as we know them became common around the turn of the twentieth century. In the preceeding 75 years, when playing football, boots normally used for work would be worn.

Early football boot designs were made of thick hardened leather, with reinforcement in the toecap - either of additional layers of leather or iron! Already very heavy, the weight of these football boots increased considerably when playing football in the wet as the boots absorbed water.

Football boot studs began to be used in the early 1890's giving the players increased grip on the playing surface. Whilst rugby football players tended to use an ankle length boot, giving better support and stability for pushing, the slipper style football boot allowed for greater ball control in the kicking game. Today, it is not uncommon to see many of the kicking Rugby stars using a 'soccer' boot (soccus is a greek lightweight slipper or sandal which gives it's name to soccer.) Jonny Wilkinson used Adidas Predator football boots in England's rugby world cup victory.

In the mid 1920's, Adolf "Adi" Dassler began producing football boots with replaceable studs. Over the years, the reputation and brand of Adidas football boots has grown to become the world leader in football boot design. In 1979, Adidas introduced the world's best selling football boot - the Copa Mundial. This was the leading football boot at the 1982 World Cup in Spain and continues to sell in large volumes the world over along with adidas football team kits.

Consolidating their position as market leader, the Adidas Predator football boots, launched in 1994 featured a revolutionary bladed cleat system for improved grip. Known as the "Traxion" system, the cleats provide an extended base for the foot and reduce rotational forces normally transmitted up to the knee, theoretically reducing the chance of injury. With rubber strips on the upper striking surface to add increased power and swerve to the shot, this football boot set the standard for others to follow.

The Adidas F50 Tunit football boot uses a revolutionary philosophy, allowing unique customisation of the studs, inner and upper. Worn by Arjen Robben and Jermaine Defoe, the boot has either a synthetic or climacool upper, and is built for speed.

Adidas haven't had it all their own way - the Nike Mercurial Vapor football boot is a lightweight (sub 200g) design worn by many of the world's leading stars including Ronaldo. With the Nike Air Zoom Total 90 providing comfort based on their successful running shoe cushioning system (endorsed by Roberto Carlos and Wayne Rooney.) The Nike Tiempo range provides a K leather upper football boot as an alternative to the synthetics of the other 2, with an air zoom sole unit for comfort.

Reebok football boots have long been used by Ryan Giggs, who has now been joined by Thierry Henry and Andriy Shevchenko in wearing the new Reebok Pro Rage.