best size five soccer ball

Which size five soccer ball is the best?

Football, or soccer as it is known outside the United States, is the most popular sport in the world. It is said that there are 3.5 billion fans and over 200 million players. Given its popularity, there are hundreds of options for soccer balls. These balls come in different sizes as players can vary in age. Size five is the most common size and the one used for professional competition around the world. If you take your soccer skills seriously, look no further than a high quality size five soccer ball.

The best choice is the Adidas Starlancer V Club Soccer Ball, which comes with a heavy-duty exterior, white synthetic leather panels and blue branding for visibility.

What to know before buying a size five soccer ball

soccer ball sizes

Footballs come in sizes between one and five. Size five soccer balls are the most commonly used size for professional play. Leagues will generally start using this size for players ages 12 and up. Size four balls are generally referred to as youth soccer balls. Children ages 8-12 will use this size. Players under eight will use size three soccer balls. There are also size one and size two soccer balls, but these are mostly used as novelty balls for indoor play.

soccer ball materials

Footballs have gone through many materials over the decades since the sport was invented in 1863. Believe it or not, the very first ball was made with an inflated sheep’s bladder. Later, a leather case was added to protect it. Eventually, the bladder was replaced with a rubber ball. It was not until the 1960s that a synthetic leather ball was created. Today, synthetic leather is almost exclusively used to make soccer balls because it is lightweight and very durable.

soccer ball manufacturers

There are several football manufacturers around the world, each with their own style of manufacturing footballs. Nike, Adidas and Wilson are among the most popular manufacturers – the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have exclusively used Adidas footballs since the 1970s; ditto for Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States; however, the Premier League, which is the most popular football league in the UK, uses Nike’s Flight Ball.

What to Look for in a Quality Size Five Soccer Ball

Colors that stand out

Football is almost always played outdoors. That is, unless you opt for an indoor football game, which is played on a smaller pitch in air conditioning and under bright lights. When playing outdoor soccer, you will encounter different elements that can affect your visibility. This can include the sun shining in your eyes, fog, rain, and even snow. For this reason, it is better to have a very visible ball in these conditions. Look for a ball with bright colors all over; the whole ball doesn’t have to be neon green, but for visibility you should look for a ball with at least some brightness and color contrast.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is the most common material used for size five soccer balls. It is often referred to as synthetic leather because it mimics the traditional leather-skin materials used to make soccer balls in the 1800s. Polyurethane is superior to animal leather because it weighs less and is still just as durable. The synthetic leather has a very soft feel, which provides the best control. These types of balls are almost sticky, allowing you to easily maneuver the ball through a grass or turf pitch.

Latex bladders

The soccer ball bladder is the inflatable material that penetrates inside the synthetic leather exterior and traps air within the ball. There are two common types of bladders: latex and butyl. Butyl is a type of rubber that is really good at holding air, but on the downside, it’s not as forgiving as latex, which can make the soccer ball harder. Latex is used in the finest quality size five soccer balls due to its superior feel. Latex balls are also softer, which translates to more control and ball handling feel.

How much you can expect to spend on a size five soccer ball

Size five soccer balls cost between $18 and $22.

Size Five Soccer Ball FAQs

How many pounds per square inch (psi) should a soccer ball be inflated to?

A. According to FIFA, the governing body that creates the official rules for international soccer, size five soccer balls must be inflated to at least 8.5 psi and no more than 15.6 psi.

Which brand manufactures official FIFA footballs?

A. Adidas manufactures the official footballs used for most international football competitions. This partnership began in the 1970s with the Telstar ball for the World Cup.

What is the best size five soccer ball to buy?

soccer ball plus size five

Adidas Starlancer V Club Soccer Ball

What do you want to know: Coaches, players and club managers love this heavy duty soccer ball from Adidas.

What you will love: Adidas has created a resistant ball, ideal for intensive use during training or football matches. The outer material is well stitched, which means you don’t have to worry about it peeling off over time. The base color is white with bright blue brush stroke Xs all over it. This ball is available in sizes three, four and five.

What you should consider: The Starlancer comes deflated and does not come with an air pump.

Or buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods

Size five soccer ball for the money

Nike soccer ball

What do you want to know: This unique soccer ball uses a six-panel design, which gives the player better ability to spin and curve the ball.

What you will love: Nike’s innovative Pitch soccer ball is a departure from the traditional 32 panel soccer ball. By using only six large panels, the aerodynamics of the ball are changed, making it easier for the kicker to use knuckleballs and curveballs. This ball also comes in a neon green and bright blue colorway for easy visibility.

What you should consider: The exterior of the ball is slightly less durable, making it less ideal for hard courts.

Or buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods

Worth checking out

Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

What do you want to know: This traditional football is perfect for those who want a no frills ball that meets all the requirements of a quality product.

What you will love: With 32 black and white panels, it is the most recognizable football in the world. This ball uses synthetic leather which creates a soft yet durable exterior. It has a butyl bladder inside which is great for maintaining air pressure.

What you should consider: The white panels on the outside will become scuffed with long term use.

Or buy: Sold by Amazon

Sign up here to receive the weekly BestReviews newsletter for helpful tips on new products and great deals.

Jordan Beliles writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.