¿Cuáles son las mejores zapatillas de hockey hierba?

What are the best field hockey shoes?

We have selected 5 models that in our opinion are the best hockey shoes available

READING TIME: 5 min.

Hockey is back. After last season's unusual circumstances, a new season has finally kicked off, with training once again part of our daily routines. It's time to unzip the stickbags, grab the sticks and lace up the shoes — but what are the best field hockey shoes for this season?

If you need to replace your shoes or simply want to know which brands and models you'll be seeing on hockey pitches around the world, stay with us.

The fact that top sportswear brands such as Adidas, Asics and the recently arrived Japanese brand Mizuno are now part of the field hockey business is great news, as they bring all their expertise from other disciplines such as running and football to our sport.

However, this has not always been the case. Field hockey-specific brands were traditionally the ones equipping players — brands like Brabo, Dita and Grays. In recent years, general sportswear brands have gained market share thanks to their financial and organisational muscle compared to the smaller hockey-specific companies.

As an exception to this trend, Osaka was born a few years ago with the aim of taking the brand beyond hockey pitches and turning it into a lifestyle brand — one that could be worn both on and off the field.

Our selection of the best field hockey shoes

We have selected 5 models that in our opinion are the best hockey shoes currently available, and we will analyse each one in detail. The 5 selected shoes are:

1. Adidas Adipower
2. Adidas Lux 2.0S
3. Asics Field Ultimate FF
4. Mizuno Wave Panthera
5. Osaka Ido Mk1

We will now look at each one in detail, analysing them from different angles to determine which of the 5 earns the title of best field hockey shoe.

To streamline the review, we will test each shoe across 3 key areas: the upper (top part of the shoe), the midsole and the outsole.

Adidas Adipower

The flagship shoe of Adidas Hockey, alongside its sibling the LUX 2.0S, standing out for its stability, impact protection, cushioning and grip.

Upper

The most significant feature of the Adipower's upper is its external heel counter, which provides stability and support for the foot during quick direction and pace changes.

Another notable feature of this shoe's upper is that it is made almost entirely of synthetic reinforcements, except for the highest parts of the shoe, protecting the foot from impacts from both the ball and sticks.

These details show that the designers truly understand what it means to play hockey and have taken player feedback into account. Finally, another standout feature is the collar design, borrowed from Adidas's running world, specifically from the Ultraboost models.

If you're not sure what a shoe collar is, don't worry — we'll explain it clearly. Look at the rear upper part of the shoe, where the Achilles tendon sits. It is designed to support the natural movement of the tendon and is lined with a very soft, comfortable material for a great feeling of comfort.

The flagship shoe of Adidas Hockey, alongside its sibling the LUX 2.0S, standing out for its stability, impact protection, cushioning and grip.

Upper

The most significant feature of the Adipower's upper is its external heel counter, which provides stability and support for the foot during quick direction and pace changes.

Another notable feature of this shoe's upper is that it is made almost entirely of synthetic reinforcements, except for the highest parts of the shoe, protecting the foot from impacts from both the ball and sticks.

These details show that the designers truly understand what it means to play hockey and have taken player feedback into account. Finally, another standout feature is the collar design, borrowed from Adidas's running world, specifically from the Ultraboost models.

If you're not sure what a shoe collar is, don't worry — we'll explain it clearly. Look at the rear upper part of the shoe, where the Achilles tendon sits. It is designed to support the natural movement of the tendon and is lined with a very soft, comfortable material for a great feeling of comfort.

Midsole

The cushioning technology used in this shoe is Bounce, an EVA Foam compound that first appeared in 2006 and has evolved significantly since then.

Interestingly, it started in running and basketball shoes and was first used by former NBA player Kevin Garnett. This technology allows for very fast movements with great reactivity and long-lasting durability before the material deforms.

Outsole

Features a rubber outsole with multi-directional, high-profile studs strategically designed to provide excellent grip and traction during direction changes.

Conclusion: Adidas Adipower

An excellent shoe that takes care of every last detail. Slightly heavier than its sibling the Adidas Lux 2.0S, but more stable and with greater impact protection.

Adidas Lux 2.0S

The top-of-the-range Adidas hockey shoe, standing out for its lightness, agility and speed. Let's analyse its most notable features in detail.

Upper

Unlike its sibling, the Adipower, the Lux features an internal heel stabiliser — not visible from the outside but noticeable when you press the heel area. Being placed inside the shoe, it provides less reinforcement than the external stabiliser found on the Adipower.

Neither is better nor worse — some players will need more stability, others less.

Another distinctive feature of this shoe's upper is a technology Adidas calls ripstop: a type of fabric made from threads of 5-8 mm thickness woven together, generating high tensile resistance while providing lightness, strength and durability.

Midsole

This is where the Adidas Lux 2.0S has a significant advantage over its competitors: its brand-new technology (launched mid-2020) called Lightstrike.

It is one of the lightest materials on the market, 36% lighter than Boost, which until recently was the pinnacle of the German brand's offering. While no direct comparison data exists, the gap versus the Adipower's Bounce technology could be extraordinary.

In addition to its lightness, it is highly responsive and offers an unparalleled combination of energy return and stability.

Outsole

Made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and manufactured with 3D printing, consisting of a uniform layer of small, even studs in height and dimension, redefining the multi-stud outsole as we knew it.

Conclusion: Adidas Lux 2.0S

The current crown jewel of Adidas hockey. The most technologically advanced hockey shoe, where the German brand puts all its expertise into lightness through the perfect combination of the Lightstrike midsole and the ripstop mesh upper.

Asics Field Ultimate FF

The top shoe from the Japanese brand, with its most outstanding attributes being durability, support and responsiveness. It is the evolution of several models, making it the best Asics field hockey shoe to date.

Upper

The most distinctive feature of this shoe compared to its competitors is that the forefoot area is constructed from synthetic materials — specifically resin and rubber — providing greater protection and durability.

It also features, as you would expect from a top Asics shoe, an internal heel counter that provides support and stability for the foot.

Midsole

As with the Adidas Lux 2.0S, the differentiating element in this shoe comes from its midsole material: FlyteFoam.

FlyteFoam is to Asics what Lightstrike is to Adidas, and is the area where brands invest most heavily to develop lighter, more responsive and more durable materials.

Another feature of the Field Ultimate FF's midsole is its technology called the Trusstic System.

This consists of a resin placed at the centre of the midsole that provides stability with the aim of minimising excessive inward and outward foot movements that could lead to, for example, ankle sprains.

Outsole

Features multi-directional studs for powerful grip, with a differentiating element being the flexible grooves at the forefoot to promote natural foot flex and improve grip.

Conclusion: Asics Field Ultimate FF

A very good shoe from the Japanese brand, with FlyteFoam as its main asset, resulting in a light, dynamic shoe with excellent grip. Given the brand's muscle and potential, you do feel something is missing compared to the more refined offerings from European counterparts like Adidas and Osaka.

Mizuno Wave Panthera

Mizuno's star model is a superb shoe and earns its place among the best field hockey shoes on its own merits. Let's analyse the most significant features of the "Panthera".

Upper

The most unique and distinctive feature in this entire comparison is the bootie-style upper construction, which provides an excellent fit and comfort the moment you put them on. Think of it like a ski boot, where the liner sits against the foot and the outer shell provides the rigid structure.

The Wave Panthera works the same way: you slip your foot into a sock-like inner, which is then surrounded by a breathable mesh to promote ventilation and keep the foot dry.

Midsole

Highlights include the Pownce material, which offers lightness without sacrificing cushioning performance. A signature feature of Mizuno's top-end shoes across disciplines is the inclusion of Wave technology: a strategically designed rigid material that provides energy return, stability and impact attenuation with every stride.

Outsole

Excellent traction thanks to the X10 outsole, which combined with its D-Flex grooves allows you to turn at maximum speed and power.

Conclusion: Wave Panthera

A unique shoe thanks to its bootie construction, which has impressed us greatly and earned it a place among the best in its own right. Mizuno is making a very strong statement in this new field and is a brand to watch closely for future releases, as their shoes show excellent craftsmanship and finish.

Osaka Ido Mk1

The Belgian brand has taken the hockey shoe to another level.

They spent a year developing the product alongside industry experts such as Simon Bartold and Paul Griffin, sports biomechanics podiatrists who have worked, among other things, developing shoes for Salomon.

Everything in this shoe was built from scratch with a specific purpose, without looking at what already existed on the market. Let's see how they did.

Upper

One of the key objectives of the upper — and of the shoe as a whole — is to make it as light as possible. To achieve this, they created the lightest possible mesh that repels water, is breathable, and does all this without compromising durability and resistance.

Another of the most significant features of the Osaka's upper is found when you look inside. At the rear, where the heel sits, there are slings that provide support and stability to the back of the foot.

On the sides, both internal and external, the slings are elongated with the aim of minimising lateral foot movement and providing a greater sense of stability and fit.

At the rear, where the Achilles tendon sits, the slings are fully adapted in shape and thickness to support its correct functioning.

Both the slings and the lateral and rear supports are made of a neoprene-like material called Spenco, which ensures a very pleasant feel of comfort while protecting against impacts.

Midsole

This is where the Osaka wins hands down against all its rivals, and in my opinion there is no going back. There are 2 features that make it incomparable and unique:

1. It is built on an anatomical last.
2. Anatomical midsole segmentation.

Built on an anatomical last

Until now, field hockey shoes have been built on a traditional last, where the rear part corresponding to the anatomical heel zone is flat.

The Ido Mk1 is manufactured on an anatomical last, respecting the natural shape of the foot and fully adapted to the contoured shape of the heel.

This means that when you put the shoes on, you are genuinely optimising your foot contact, especially during the heel-strike phase of the running cycle, where the heel lands first.

Anatomical midsole segmentation

Another key evolution in these field hockey shoes is the segmentation of the midsole into distinct compartments that correspond functionally to the structures of the foot.

We can identify the heel zone, the inner and outer midfoot, and at the forefoot a separate compartment for the big toe — of vital importance for propulsion and push-off — and another compartment for the remaining toes.

You might well ask: why does this matter for playing hockey?

In our sport, there are movements in every direction — forward, backward, direction changes, rotations, etc. — and compartmentalising the midsole allows the foot to work more efficiently and distribute forces where they are needed.

Outsole

The studs are designed exclusively for all the specific movements of hockey: running backwards, direction changes, accelerations, etc.

Conclusions: Osaka Ido Mk1

The market leader in field hockey shoes today. Thanks to its meticulous development from scratch, it has created a before and after in the development, design and manufacturing of a field hockey shoe, bringing genuine technological innovations born from that prior work.

Final ranking of the best field hockey shoes