Another innovation-smashing, rule-breaking year of boot design comes to a close. Before we look ahead to what 2018 has in store, we shine a spotlight on some of the most significant, most sought-after, and exquisite football boot releases from 2017. From limited edition nostalgia to the next-generation of design, it's been a busy one. So here you have it, the 2017 SoccerBible Top 20. Rate and slate accordingly... tin hat firmly on.
20: Umbro Velocita 3 Chapecoense
It may be the only entry from Umbro in our top 20 list, but it's the boot with the most meaningful message. The Double Diamond linked up with Graffia Studio to create a one-off Velocita design decorated with the Chapecoense colours and crest. The boot paid tribute to the heartbreaking plane crash where 71 individuals lost their lives, including 19 Chapecoense players and staff.
19: Nike Tiempo Legend 7 Sergio Ramos “Corazón y Sangre”
Drenched in subtle but classy style, the signature Sergio Ramos boot isn't as spectacular as others on this list, but it takes an awful lot more hard work for a defender to earn a signature design – so for that, it's worthy of a mid-table slot on our top 20 list. Plus that soleplate is glorious.
18: adidas Predator Precision 2017
The first entry in a Predator party that continues below. The year 2017 was eventually taken over by the return of the most iconic football boot. In the build-up to the launch of the adidas Predator 18+ the Three Stripes whipped up serious hype with a number of limited edition tasters. The 2017 edition of the adidas Predator Precision playing its part.
17: PUMA Super Atom
PUMA brought back one of the most precious pieces of memorabilia from their archive in 2017 ― the SUPER ATOM ― to mark sixty five years of since the world's first football boot to feature screw-in studs. Probably couldn't get away with pacing down the left wing in them on a Saturday afternoon, but as far as unique limited editions releases go, they don't come much more unique than this.
16: Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3
The third generation Hypervenom Phantom was a significant drop in the Nike calendar this year. It was the first Nike boot to be launched in a lo-cut Flyknit design and assembled a new squad of attacking talent including Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski and Mauro Icardi. The launch colourway the very definition of a grower.
15: adidas Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility
If it wasn't for a few nailed-on crowd-pleasers, the Nemeziz 17+ would be higher up this list. You may have noticed that our top 20 selection is a bit of a limited-edition Pick N Mix, and we're fine with that – unexpected, disruptive releases have that certain special piece of magic attached to them. To replicate that magic on a general release takes a lot, and the Nemeziz achieved that. A totally new concept, immediately worn by some of the world's best players.
14: Nike Air Max 97 Magista Obra II
Nike celebrated Air Max Day 2017 by rolling out special edition designs across their full football boot collection. Each respected silo was given an Air Max makeover and worn on pitch by a number of Nike players. The Magista Obra II was our pick of the pack as it took inspiration from the Air Max 97.
13: Nike Tiempo Legend 7 "Black Platinum"
Nike fired up the Tiempo 7 hype by releasing just 100 limited edition pairs of "Platinum Black" next-generation boots. Braised in blackout, the Swoosh counted down to the launch of the new series with a design restricted in numbers but unrestricted in stealth style.
12: PUMA ONE 17.1 Chrome
PUMA ended 2017 with a completely revamped silo collection to what they started it with. The ONE 17.1 was the first update, which replaced the evoSPEED and evoTOUCH series and headlined by Antoine Griezmann before he switched into the Future 18.1 boot. The Chrome colourway arrived as the first limited edition take on the mi-collared ONE.
11: adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol "Black/Shock Pink"
There's not an awful lot to say about the "Black/Shock Pink" adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol, other than it looks absolutely stunning. We're not even gonna try to justify why it deserves a spot on this list, just look at it.
10: Nike Mercurial Vapor XI Tech Craft
The Nike Tech Craft Pack is an ever-present in our end of year top boots list. Beautiful all-black-leather takes on the full Nike boot series produces exquisite results time and time again. The seducing curves, flawless complexion and ribbed finish on the Vapor is almost x-rated. Top 10, no probs.
9: Nike CR7 Mercurial Superfly "Quinto Triunfo"
Nike threw a golden afterparty of Swooshed up swag for Cristiano Ronaldo as he picked up his fifth Ballon d'Or award. The CR7 power-brand served up fresh signature style with 1,000 pairs of Mercurial Superfly CR7 'Quinto Triunfo' boots. Normally a golden CR7 signature boot cruises onto the podium, but it's congested at the top this time around.
8: adidas Predator Mania Champagne
When we first started compiling this list, we had the Mania in pole position, but it started slipping the more we thought about it. Was it the most hyped boot of 2017? Absolutely, it made far more noise than any other drop. But, it's still not the original Mania. It's effectively a cover. It's beautiful, but not as testing from a designers point of view. Still, you wish you bagged a pair.
7: Nike Mercurial Puro Fenomeno
A late contender that muscles its way into the top ten. Launched to celebrate the 20th anniversary of R9's 1998 Mercurial, the Nike Mercurial Puro Fenomeno will be worn exclusively by Neymar. Limited edition, throwback inspiration, signature support. All the ingredients of a top ten boot of the year.
6: PUMA Future 18.1 NetFit
It's been a late surge of progression for PUMA in 2017. The Big Cat will enter the new year with a refreshed boot collection that packs an aggressive identity led by the Future 18.1 Netfit silo. The PUMA One 17.1 is smart and technically sound, but the Future 18.1 excites. PUMA are looking strong.
5: adidas Predator 18+
No, it isn't like the Predator boots of old, but that's exactly why the arrival of the Predator 18+ has been such a success. Are you going to stare at through with starry eyes of nostalgia? No. But this is the best Predator football boot in terms of performance ever made. Those that have worn it will have no issues with its top 5 position.
4: Nike Mercurial Vapor Flyknit Ultra
The amount of times we re-shuffled the order of the top 5. Seriously. Finally settling into fourth spot is the Mercurial Vapor Flyknit Ultra, and our outside bet for the number one slot next year. Perhaps not the exact silo, but certainly the technology that the boot carries within it. Three colourways dropped in 2017, each with a limited edition label and a stunning aesthetic.
3: adidas ACE 17+ Paul Pogba
Adidas kicked off 2017 by paying tribute to a man who helped define their successful 2016. Paul Pogba was presented with a signature ACE 17+ Purecontrol boot, complete with his own exclusive PP logo. An inevitable signature series that is set to continue into 2018, for sure. Crafting the boots into a collection that had a high-end fashion vibe, adidas merged the world's of lifestyle and performance through Pogba.
2: Nike Tiempo Legend 7 Totti X Roma
When you've played for the same club for twenty five years, you're more than just a name on a team sheet. You're an ambassador, an icon, a legend. Nike recognised the undisputed god of Roma with a signature boot dressed in a colour that captured the glory of Totti's prestigious career perfectly. It would have been impossible to make a better looking Totti Tiempo. Yeah, dat tongue...
1: adidas Predator Accelerator DB
A mid-collared signature David Beckham all-white adidas Predator Accelerator. How do you beat that? We don't think you can. Blended from new and old, inspired by the past and future as adidas began creating a new Predator legacy. If we could pick three pairs of boots to keep from 2017, we'd have three pairs of these. Every time.
Right... time to tear it to shreds. Share your thoughts below. Here's how the 2016 Top 20 looked.
