New Balance Furon and Tekela, speed or control

The Furon, the speed boot from New Balance

Launched in 2015, the Furon is New Balance's speed silhouette, built for straight-line acceleration. On the Furon Elite, the one-piece mesh upper is covered with a thin TPU film: it remains lightweight and breathable while bringing the foot closer to the ball.

The central lacing works with a mesh collar that makes it easy to put on from the heel and locks the foot in once tightened. The Furon is aimed at wingers and attackers who play deep and want a boot that keeps the foot secure at full speed without weighing it down.

Other brands of boots to compare

To broaden the comparison, Under Armour's shoes follow the same logic of a duo of speed and control with the Shadow and Magnetico, Skechers focus on comfort, and Joma on microfiber and futsal. The page Other brands brings them all together.

The Tekela, control and rotation

Introduced in 2018, the Tekela is the shoe for creative players. Its conical studs provide 360-degree rotational grip, which is useful for pivoting with the ball, turning away from the goal, or chaining feints without the foot getting stuck in the ground.

Its stretchy mesh upper wraps around the foot for a uniform touch. Long renowned for its laceless version, the Tekela also comes in a low laced version, noted Low Laced, for players who want to adjust their fit. Midfielders and playmakers find a good balance between support and ball feel.

Elite, Pro or Team, FG or MG: choosing your New Balance

Furon and Tekela follow the same scale. The Elite features the upper and sole of the professional version, the Pro retains the essence of the technology, and the Team is aimed at club or recreational players with a simpler construction.

For the sole, the FG version is suitable for dry natural grass, and the MG sole, for multi-ground, also accommodates synthetic surfaces with more numerous and shorter studs. Young players can find the Furon and Tekela at the Team level, in children's sizes, with the same silhouette as the adult models.

Getting a New Balance at the right time

Previous colours of the Furon and Tekela go on sale during football shoe promotions for Black Friday, the holiday season, and winter sales. The French Days for football shoes arrive in spring, before the summer sales and the return of training, and the last sizes end up in clearance.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take my usual size in New Balance Furon?

New Balance recommends taking a half size up from your usual size for the Furon Elite, which has a very close fit. Measure your foot at the end of the day and check the space in front of your toes when trying them on.

Furon or Tekela for a midfielder?

The Tekela is better suited for a midfielder who pivots, keeps the ball, and directs the play, thanks to its conical studs. A box-to-box midfielder who makes many forward runs may prefer the lightweight feel of the Furon.

Does a thin mesh upper protect the foot in duels?

It offers less protection than thick leather, which is the trade-off for lightweight. Speed players accept it for the enhanced feel, while defenders who often get into contact prefer a thicker, more covering upper.

Can you play in New Balance MG on an artificial pitch?

Yes, the MG sole is specifically designed to transition from grass to artificial turf. Its short studs distribute pressure and limit the risk of the foot getting stuck in the synthetic material.

How do you take care of a mesh New Balance shoe?

Brush off the dry mud, clean the mesh with a damp cloth and a bit of mild soap, then let it air dry with newspaper inside. Avoid washing machines, which weaken the adhesives.