Laceless vs. laced football boots: what's right for you?
To lace or not to lace? Shakespeare wrote. Or probably, if he was playing ‘ball for Stratford-upon-Avon FC in his day.
The battle of laceless vs. laced football boots is a tale as old as time, or at least a tale as old as 2006 when the first laceless design was released.
I’ve tested a bunch of football boots—both laced and laceless—to get a real feel for what each style brings to the pitch. In this post, I’m breaking down which version of each boot is better, digging into the details, and helping you figure out which one might be your game changer.
So, whether you’re slipping into something laceless or tightening those laces, let’s get into it.
Best Laced & Laceless Boots
What are laceless football boots?
Well, it’s right there. Laceless. Without laces. Sans laces.
Yes, for once it’s something from the boot universe which hasn’t been hammered by marketing spiel, it’s just serving straight up facts. These are football boots designed for use, without the need for laces.
As adidas make some of the best laceless football boots on the market, many people won’t have realised that it was the Italian boot veterans Lotto (yes, Ruud Gullit stylee) who dreamt up the first ever laceless design; Lotto Zhero Gravity arrived way back in 2006.
The Zhero Gravity was worn by leading names at the time including Andrei Shevchenko and Luca Toni, but it wasn’t particularly well-received and didn’t convert into sales for Lotto.
This is most likely the reason why it took adidas another ten years to release their own laceless version, the 16+ PureControl. And they were decent.
How do laceless football boots work?
Laceless football boots are engineered to do away with traditional lacing, their material and construction means the player can slip them on and play, with little fuss.
They are built to wrap around the foot with a sock-like fit, but lockdown and perform like a ‘normal’ laced football boot.
Agility, aesthetics and feel are top of the agenda. Removing laces gives a streamlined look and feel for the player, a bit like Jack Grealish’s barnet does for him.
Control on the ball and a clean strike are just a couple of the key benefits.
Laceless vs. laced football boots: pros and cons
The ultimate question is: which is better? Laced or laceless? I'm here to work that out with you.
As with most things in our beautiful game, there’s a good chance some of it will come down to subjectivity.
That’s why I'm going to plainly and simply lay out some pros and cons for both sides.
Laceless Boot Pros:
- The best thing about laceless boots in my opinion, is that the upper is as smooth as Pep Guardiola’s head.
- This may make you feel at one with the ball when controlling, striking and passing.
- Brazilians famously play barefoot in their youth, but this is as close to samba football as you’re likely to get.
- Side note: laceless boots (in my opinion) tend to be more aesthetically pleasing, doing away with unwanted lumps and bumps.
- They look streamlined and sleek, some would say more ‘in line with the modern game’. Plus, you can’t ignore that it’s the lazy person’s boot, slip on and slip off. Bliss.
Laceless Boot Cons:
- A lot of people will like the fit, some people will not. It’s inevitable, as the laceless boot is manufactured to an almost one-size-fits-all shape.
- I use the term ‘almost’ due to the fact that the stretchy tech on the uppers will accommodate and adapt to a certain extent. If you have wide feet, it’s probably a no-go.
- As with all innovative tech, you’re going to end up paying slightly more to get hold of it.
- Even at a cheaper takedown level, the laceless version will end up costing a little more.
Laced Boot Pros:
- Number one, you’re choosing laces because of the bespoke lockdown options.
- Like Pablo Escobar, you’ll be able to choose the exact lockdown you prefer by adapting the laces any which way you like.
- You’re guaranteed to get a fit which suits your foot perfectly this way.
- Oddly, laced versions of the latest models are also a smidgen cheaper than their laceless counterparts, which is due to the increased tech needed on laceless boots to provide lockdown from the material, not the lacing.
Laced Boot Cons:
- In theory, you’re not going to get as clean a strike on the football when you’ve got a layer of laces in the way.
- You’ll feel them through the upper and that could be annoying to some players.
- Laces have been around for decades though, and there’s no evidence to say that they can affect the quality of your play.
- It sounds small but yes, you’re going to have to tie and untie them eeevery time you play. That’s the same come rain (quagmire included) or shine.
- We’re all aware of this mild inconvenience but I felt it’s worth pointing out.
How I Tested The Boots
I put each boot through a series of drills and tests that replicate real game scenarios, such as passing and shooting drills, sprints, and more. I tested each boot, laced and laceless versions, and compared experiences. For the Puma boots, I tested them both with and without the laces, but the same boots.
Comparing Laced vs. Laceless Boots
adidas Predator Elite Tongue
Predator Laced
I laced up the adidas Predator Elite and instantly felt like my foot was being hugged by a boot that actually understood me.
The combination of the laces and that iconic fold-over tongue gave me a snug, custom fit that stayed locked in through every sprint and turn. There was a real sense of stability when twisting and shifting directions—like the boot was keeping up with my every move, not playing catch-up. Shooting felt sharp too; the grippy upper and the structured tongue definitely helped with accuracy. Aesthetically, I’m a sucker for that classic tongue—it’s got old-school swagger. I know some players say it gets in the way, but I’ve worn these boots so often, I think I’ve just synced up with them.
What We Like:
- Secure fit
- Stable
- Great accuracy
adidas Predator Elite Laceless
Predator Laceless
Slipping into the laceless adidas Predator Elite felt like pulling on a well-fitted glove.
Without laces in the way, the strike zone was super clean, and it helped me connect better with the ball during shooting drills (less knuckle, more net!). The upper has the same grippy tech as the laced version, and it definitely gave me that extra bit of control and accuracy when pinging passes or cushioning the ball out of the air. The sock-like Primeknit collar and Adaptive Fit tech did a solid job keeping me locked in, especially for a laceless boot. That said, I did feel just a touch less secure compared to the laced version when really pushing it in sprints or sharp changes of direction. Still, for a laceless boot, it held its own and looked slick doing it.
What We Like:
- Clean strike zone
- Grippy control
- Primeknit collar locked feet in
adidas F50 Elite
F50 Laced
Lacing up the adidas F50 felt like strapping into something built purely for speed.
The deep lacing system, paired with the snug collar, really kept me locked in when I hit top gear or changed direction quickly. It’s clearly designed for fast-paced play, and honestly, it delivered. The Sprintweb texture across the upper added a nice bit of grip, and whether I was firing passes or going for goal, everything felt sharp and accurate. If I’m being picky, I did notice the laces getting in the way just a tad on some strikes—it’s a bit more noticeable than on the Predators, probably because there’s no tongue to cover them. Still, the trade-off for the fit and control was more than worth it.
What We Like:
- Great lockdown in fast movements
- Sharp control
- Great for speed
adidas F50 Elite Laceless
F50 Laceless
Slipping into the laceless adidas F50 was like stepping into a second skin—sleek, snug, and seriously speedy.
Compared to the Predator, the F50 has a slimmer profile, which actually worked in my favour in laceless form, keeping my foot tightly locked in with zero slip. The boot felt incredibly clean—no laces, no fuss—and the super-thin upper gave me such sharp control and ball feel, it was almost like I wasn’t wearing boots at all. The Primeknit collar and cushioned heel pods did a great job holding everything in place, even during bursts of pace and quick changes of direction. And the weight? Or lack of it—these things are featherlight, which made buzzing around the pitch feel effortless.
What We Like:
- Slim fit
- Thin upper for great ball feel
- Ultra lightweight
Puma Future Ultimate
Puma Future WITH Laces
Lacing up the Puma Future gave me a secure, dialled-in fit that held firm through every sprint, twist, and sudden stop.
Even though the boot has a flexible construction, the laces really helped lock me in and gave me that added sense of control when pushing the pace. The GripControl Pro finish on the upper was a real bonus too—whether I was threading passes or taking shots, it gave me a sharp, responsive feel on the ball. I also have to give credit to the soleplate; the uniquely shaped and strategically placed studs are all about supporting rotational movement, and during drills, I definitely felt that extra bit of flow when turning sharply or changing direction. A great mix of comfort, control, and grip.
What We Like:
- Secure fit
- GripControl Pro improved control
- Great support in rotational movements
Puma Future Ultimate
Puma Future WITHOUT Laces
Going laceless with the Puma Future gave me one major advantage straight away—a completely smooth strike zone. Without laces in the way, I could really make the most of the GripControl Pro upper, and it showed in my shooting accuracy during drills.
Strikes felt clean and consistent, like nothing was interrupting the contact. That said, despite all the tech built in to keep you secure—like PWRTAPE across the midfoot and the stretchy Lycra in the FUZIONSKIN upper—I didn’t feel quite as locked in without the laces. The boot’s naturally more flexible and slightly wider in shape, which might be perfect for some players, especially those with broader feet. For me, though, it just didn’t hug my foot as tightly, which could come down to my foot shape more than the boot itself. Everyone’s fit is different, after all!
What We Like:
- Clean strike zone
- Consistent control
- Good tech for lockdown
The Verdict
It’s difficult for me to make a call on what’s right for you; I can’t see your feet, and I'm not in your brain.
You’ll know whether to go for laceless or laced when you try them out for yourself, all I can do is give you my advice.
With all that said, if you’ve got wide or flat feet, choose laces. If you’re a traditionalist, choose laces.
On the flipside, if you like clean lines, choose laceless. If you like sock-like feel on the ball, choose laceless.
If you're feeling inspired and need some laceless boot inspo, check out my best laceless boot guide!
