What the 10 Best Outside Backs Wear and Why

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1.

Outside Defenders

The role of playing outside back is a hybrid one of sorts. In order to play the role, you need to have a multitude of characteristics, with the ability to both defend and attack down the line. It is the player who can tackle hard an accurately, while positioning themselves that owns the role. But the best of the best are the ones who create opportunities and become providers for forwards. Getting up and down the line takes a lot of grit and determination, and there is a lot of running included!

For that reason, they really need to have the appropriate footwear on. Here we take a look at the top ouside backs currently playing the game and evaluate the boots they choose to wear. This is the 10 Best Soccer Cleats for Outside Backs.

Bryan Byrne is the founder of 

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2.

Rafael Outside Defenders

No. 10 – Rafael da Silva x Nike CTR360 Maestri III

Manchester United and Brazil

Rafael is coming off his best season to date and offers an extreme threat to Dani Alves for the starting spot on the Brazil national team. What he offers is a more potent threat going forward, while he also has a workman like style and the ability to get up and down the pitch very quickly. Where he is lacking is in experience, and he has a knack of picking up injuries.

Since he has a very attacking style, the Nike CTR360 Maestri is a boot that provides the right set of elements to go along with Rafael. They are seen to be a creators boot and with the added control zone on the instep, it is a boot that creates an extra edge on the ball. Last season he was wearing the Nike T90 Laser IV, but with their retirement he was forced to move in a new direction.

3.

Carvajal Outside Defenders

No. 9 – Daniel Carvajal x Nike Tiempo Legend IV

Real Madrid and Spain

The one player on this list to really watch out for over the next few seasons is Daniel Carvajal. He has an exciting future ahead and has proven over the past 2 seasons that he is ready to take the starting spot at right back for Real Madrid. He spent last season at Bayer Leverkusen and was actually repurchased, with Real Madrid choosing to take advantage of his buy-back clause.

Like several other players on this list, Carvajal has found a home for the Nike Tiempo Legend IV on his feet. They are a very traditional boot that features modern upgrades and this all bodes perfectly with the Madrid right backs style of play.

4.

Piszczek Outside Defenders

No. 8 – Lukasz Piszczek x Nike Vapor IX

Borussia Dortmund and Poland

For a player that Dortmund signed on a free transfer 3 seasons ago, Piszczek has proved to be a diamond find that is currently worth more than his weight in gold. Not only does he offer an air of consistency in the right back spot, but he also likes to get forward and get his name on the score sheet – he is not a stranger to ending up in the opposition’s box.

To go along with that ability to get forward, Piszczek has gone with an attacking styled boot. The Vapor IX is all about attack and using your pace to beat defenders. It compliments his style of breaking down the wing and cutting inside. This is definitely not true for all outside backs and it wouldn't be the boot I would recommend players in the position wear, but the difference here is the fact Piszczek can pull it off effectively.

5.

Alves Outside Defenders

No. 7 – Dani Alves x Adidas Nitrocharge 1.0

Barcelona and Brazil

Alves was actually a key figure through the release of the Nitrocharge and they seem to be adjusting to his style of play quite effectively. He played an important role in Brazil’s Confederations Cup title. If you have watched Alves play, you will know he is a bit of a busy body who has an extremely mean streak. In other words, when the opportunity to tackle arrives, he likes to take it with a little extra oomph. The Nitrocharge is all about suiting players that like to take a key role in games and that seems to make them a perfect combo!

6.

Evra Outside Defenders

No. 6 – Patrice Evra x Nike Tiempo Legend IV

Manchester United and France

Formally a left midfielder, Evra transitioned to the role of left defender when he moved to Old Trafford. This has provided him with a strong attacking base and his mindset is often to get involved down the line in the attack. Unfortunately, this can sometimes take away from his defensive mindset but there is no doubting he is one of the most exciting outside backs to watch play.

The Tiempo Legend series offers a pretty pitch perfect set of characteristics to go along with Evra’s game. They are a traditional boot that provides plenty of comfort and a uniform level of performance through play. They are suited for all styles of player and since Evra seems to have a multitude of styles in his arsenal, they are a boot he should be wearing. The French man has made a very appropriate choice on this one.

7.

Zabaleta Outside Defenders

No. 5 – Pablo Zabaleta x Nike CTR360 Maestri

Manchester City and Argentina

There are two things that Pablo Zabaleta likes to do – tackle really hard, and break forward when possible. The guy gets in some excellent goal scoring positions and has really been a revelation playing right back for Man City over the past 12 months.

Zabaleta has worn the Nike T90 Laser IV over the past year, but with their retirement he was forced to choose a new range. His boot of choice is now the CTR360 Maestri, which are seen to be more of a playmakers boot. Although he doesn’t fit that mold (in any way, shape or form) they are a boot that will allow for a little more creativity in Zabaleta’s game. I’m a fan of the front layered stitching that allows for a very flexible and form fitting shape.

8.

Baines Outside Defenders

No. 4 – Leighton Baines x Adidas Predator LZ

Everton and England

Baines has been one of the most talked about defenders through the current transfer window and there is a lot of speculation about where he will end up come the end of August. It is his extraordinary abilities on set pieces that sets him apart from other defenders on this list and he is probably one of the best freekick takers in the English game right now.

When one of your key attributes is talking free kicks, having a boot with some added striking technology makes for an ideal suit. The extra spin created by the ball connecting with one the rubber panels on the strike zone gives a little extra advantage. As well as that, the Lethal Zones are a hybrid style boot that offers some extra protective coverage for getting stuck in on tackles.

9.

Alba Outside Defenders

No. 3 – Jordi Alba x Adidas F50 adiZero

Barcelona and Spain

Over the past 10 years, the one area where the current spectacular Barcalona side has been lacking is in a creative outside back. Then along came Alba and the rest is history. At 5’7” tall, he is not an overbearing figure, but he has a great tackling ability and is actually not too bad in the air. He was key to the Spanish team at Euro 2012 and continues to shine on both the domestic and international front.

Not quite the boot I would recommend an outside back wear, but they seem to be the ideal companion for Alba and his style. It could have a lot to do with the fact he plays in two of the most fluid flowing teams in the world, but either way the lightweight speed boot acts very natural on the feet of Alba.

10.

Cole Outside Defenders

No. 2 – Ashley Cole x Nike Tiempo Legend IV

Chelsea and England

If there is one thing Ashley Cole is good at, it is tackling with a certain air of elegance but a connection that packs a punch. The Chelsea man has continually demonstrated an ability to be consistent on the pitch, although the same can’t be said about his off pitch performances. Enough said! When he is not creating opportunities for himself, he is beating opposite defenders and swinging crosses into the box.

To go along with that long standing level of consistency, Cole chooses to wear a boot that has earned a reputation for being one of the most reliable currently on the market. The Nike Tiempo Legend is built on the ideals of quality and provides a comfortable performance in a neat and traditional package. Cole doesn’t need flashy, he needs a boot to keep his mind on the game and the Tiempo legend takes away any footwear distractions that might otherwise affect his game. There is a lot of psychoanalysis behind choosing your boots!

11.

Lahm Outside back

No. 1 – Philipp Lahm x Adidas adiPure 11Pro

Bayern Munich and Germany

Following the trend, Lahm is only 5’7”,  but he has continually demonstrated size is not what is important in the position. He is not afraid to get stuck into tackles, has great spatial awareness and leads by example on the pitch.

Lahm was a key figure in Adidas advertising prior to the Champions League final, as he is their primary endorses of the adiPure 11Pro. Built on the ideals of consistency, these boots seem to be the right choice for Lahm. Not only is he getting to wear a German brand on his feet, but he is also getting a simple boot that matches the needs of a full-back who likes to just get the job done in the most economically efficient way possible!

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