Testing Methodology: How We Review Soccer Gear

Matched to surface and age

Every recommendation starts with the surface you play on and the player's age group, using the manufacturer's own specs.

A clear verdict

Each review says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to know before you buy. No filler, no hedging.

No paid placements

Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.

Kept current

Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product or rule changes.

Where our facts come from

We use the manufacturer's published specs (stud configuration, upper material, ball construction, glove cut and palm), FIFA Quality Programme ball marks, and the Laws of the Game from IFAB and US Youth Soccer guidance.

What we check, by product type

Cleats	Soleplate type (FG, AG, SG, TF, IC), upper material, fit and width, and weight.
Balls	Size, construction (stitched or thermally bonded), bladder, and FIFA Quality mark.
Goalkeeper gloves	Cut (flat, rolled, negative, hybrid), palm latex, closure, finger protection and sizing.
Shin guards	Size by height, coverage, retention (sleeve or strap) and ankle protection.

Hands-on testing versus research

A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.

Prices and codes

Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.

Corrections

If you spot something out of date, email [email protected] and we'll check it and fix it.