Top 7 Best American Footballs

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When buying an American football, there are three main factors to consider: materials, size, and brand.

Key factors to consider

1. Materials

The type of material used for a football has a big impact on its value and how long it lasts. Footballs are typically made from three different materials: foam, rubber or synthetic leather, and real leather. Each material has its own unique qualities to cater to various requirements.

Foam: It’s affordable, very lightweight, and has a soft texture, making it great for young kids who are just starting to learn to throw and catch or for use in limited spaces. However, foam footballs are not as durable as rubber or genuine leather ones.
Rubber or Synthetic Leather: More durable than foam and more affordable than genuine leather. The outer texture is designed to enhance grip, making it an ideal choice for practice balls. It is also water-resistant and won’t swell up like genuine leather footballs. If you want a durable training ball, especially without spending too much, rubber or synthetic leather is an excellent choice.
Genuine Leather: The highest quality football. The tanning process of genuine leather creates a natural stickiness, providing a firm grip even in dry conditions. Genuine leather footballs are also highly durable. Their only drawbacks are that they can swell when soaked in water and are not ideal for use in harsh weather conditions. They are commonly used in matches or professional training due to their premium quality.

Good footballs usually have multiple layers of vulcanized rubber bladders, which help them maintain their shape and structure for a longer time.

2. Size

The scientific method is to consider the size of the player’s hand, but a simpler way is to look at the average age of the players. Footballs are typically divided into four main age groups:

Pee Wee Football: Suitable for players aged 6-9.
Junior Football: Suitable for players aged 9-12.
Youth Football: Suitable for players aged 12-14.
Official Football: Suitable for players aged 14 and above, including college and professional leagues.

3. Brand

Some of the prominent American football brands include Wilson, Nike, Under Armour, Riddell, Adidas, Schutt, Xenith, Cutters, Douglas, and Battle Sports. Wilson and Nike are both globally popular sportswear brands known for their high quality and durability. Many professional and college teams use footballs manufactured by Wilson and Nike.

Best NFL Official Football

If you want the best and most authentic American football, look no further than Wilson. Wilson’s collaboration with the National Football League (NFL) dates back to 1941, and “The Duke” is the official game ball of the NFL, representing the pinnacle of football craftsmanship and performance. It’s made from genuine leather with exquisite craftsmanship, handcrafted in Ohio, and has an iconic classic design. You can even choose to add the logo of any of the 32 NFL teams to cheer on your favorite team.

Wilson “The Duke” Football
$149.95* at Wilson
*All prices in the article are as of the time of writing

Reasons for recommendation: Reliable performance, excellent craftsmanship, iconic design; it provides a feel closest to the NFL game ball (according to the manufacturer, game balls may have unique specifications, digital technology, or stricter quality control and tolerances, but this is as close as an ordinary person can get to a real NFL game ball).

“The Duke” football is named in honor of the legendary pioneer of the game and owner of the New York Giants, Wellington Mara. When Mara was a young boy, he often watched games from the sidelines, and the Giants’ players nick-named him “Duke,” because they knew he was named after the Duke of Wellington, whom his father called “the fightingest of all Irishmen.” Many years later, the NFL game ball adopted this nickname.

Best College-Level Football

While Wilson is the game ball of the National League, Nike dominates at the college level. The Nike Vapor One 2.0 Official Football is a high-performance football designed specifically for games. It uses sticky synthetic leather, ensuring both durability and a stable consistent feel. The squeeze-style lacing provides a better grip. Its accuracy and durability meet the needs of professional athletes and football enthusiasts.

Nike Vapor One 2.0 Official Football
$110 at Scheels
Also at Dick’s

Reasons for recommendation: Precision craftsmanship, high-quality materials, providing excellent grip, accuracy, and durability.

Best High School Football

Wilson is the official game ball for high school football associations in 38 states across the USA. The Wilson GST Game Football is a top-level football that delivers outstanding performance and durability on the field. Its surface features dark leather with pebbled texture, providing better grip. The white stripes are made from patented ACL (Accurate Control Lacing) composite leather laces. The patented stitched stripes use composite materials rather than paint, also providing a better grip and helping for more accurate throws.

Wilson GST Game Football
$109.95 at Wilson

Reasons for recommendation: Advanced construction, high-quality materials, ensuring excellent grip, accuracy, and feel on the field; the choice of high school football associations in 38 states.

Best Youth Football

The Wilson GST Game Football mentioned above also has a Youth version designed for kids aged 12-14. Besides being slightly smaller in size, it uses the Light Leather Formula to provide a more comfortable feel, allowing young players to grip the football easily, thereby enhancing control and agility.

Wilson GST Youth Version
$79.95 at Wilson

Reasons for recommendation: Light Leather more suitable for youth, better control, and agility; top-quality and craftsmanship.

Best Junior Football

The Nike Tournament Football is designed for kids aged 9-12. It offers a more compact spin and better feel, making it an excellent choice for young footballers to improve their game. It is made from premium composite leather for durability and can withstand intense play. The two sewn-in stripes provide extra grip points for better control and handling.

Nike Tournament Football
$45 at Nike
Also at Dick’s

Reasons for recommendation: Specifically designed for more compact spins and better feel, premium composite leather material for exceptional durability. The texture-enhanced grip provides confidence for young players.

Best Pee Wee Football

The Nike Pee Wee Tournament Football is designed for kids aged 6-9. Besides being slightly smaller in size, it’s similar to the Tournament Football mentioned above. Made from premium composite leather, it ensures durability, and the two sewn-in stripes provide extra grip points for better control and handling. It’s a top-quality and affordable choice for children starting to play football.

Nike Pee Wee Tournament Football
$45 at Dick’s

Best Playground Football

The Nike Playground Football is made of durable rubber shell, making it resilient to all kinds of weather conditions and not susceptible to swelling when wet. It can be used in various occasions and weather conditions. The sticky textured surface provides excellent grip and stability, helping children learn better ball control.

Nike Playground Football
$25 at Nike
Also at Dick’s

Reasons for recommendation: Extremely durable rubber shell, suitable for use in any weather and occasion; the textured surface provides better grip, helping children learn better ball control.

Derek Yang

I’m an immigrant living with my family in a small town on the East Coast. I love classical music, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for BMWs. I believe in lifelong learning and look forward to connecting with you to share our life experiences. Twitter @mrderekyang.

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