Best Soccer Cleats

Soccer cleats, or football boots, are thought to have originated sometime around the 1500s. King Henry VIII is credited with owning the first pair: an ankle-high variation made of tough leather.  Technology has transformed since then, with cleats now optimized to achieve specific purposes. Some are built for enhanced power, others to aid speed. Certain types are all-rounders, focused on comfort and support.

Best Brands for Soccer Cleats  

Today, Nike, adidas, PUMA and Under Armour dominate soccer cleats. Most brands adhere to a tier system, where each model differs in terms of engineering. For example, the Nike Mercurial Elite is the premier product in the Mercurial series suited to professional players, while the Mercurial Pro and Mercurial Academy are aimed at those playing at competent and junior levels, respectively.

There are certain cleats that have been a prominent force in soccer throughout the years. Nike is noted for its Mercurial, Phantom and Tiempo lines, while adidas’ most famous models are the Predator, Predator X, Nemeziz and Copa. The PUMA King was introduced in 1968 and is now joined by the Future, One and EvoSpeed.

Under Armour and New Balance have also released a roster of respected cleats. Under Armour’s range is highlighted by the Clone Magnetico Pro, while New Balance’s features the Tekela, Furon and 442 lines.

From indoor to firm-ground models, discover the best soccer cleats.

Top Soccer Cleats

Nike Mercurial Superfly 

The Nike Mercurial Superfly is defined by a high-cut collar that provides a locked-in fit and additional support at the ankle. The lightweight cleat is worn most prominently by Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé, who has played in eclectic colorways including 'Pink Panther.'

Nike Mercurial Vapor 

Nike established the Vapor line in 2002, heralding in a new era of lightweight cleats. The upper is composed of breathable Flyknit that wraps around the foot like a second skin.

Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3 

Nike’s Hypervenom Phantom 3 features a textured upper, supplemented with micro pods that enhance power and accuracy when making contact with the ball.

adidas Predator Accuracy+

Built for power and precision, the Accuracy+ was added to the Predator line in 2023. An ideal cleat for midfielders who enjoy plenty of ball possession, it is engineered with a Hybridtouch upper for a soft and malleable fit.

adidas X Crazyfast

As the name implies, the Crazyfast is a speed boot engineered for fast wingers and pacey players. Speedframe technology helps position the foot in a sprint-style position, with an AEROPLATE insert that provides additional comfort without adding excess weight.

adidas Copa Pure

The Copa Pure series is reminiscent of a modern reboot on the legendary Copa Mundial—a simple all-around cleat that prizes quality and is made to last. A flurry of technologies feature on the Pure.2 iteration of the shoe, including a Fusion Skin leather upper for improved ball contact and a TORSIONFRAME outsole.

adidas Predator 24 League

adidas released the Predator 24 to commemorate 30 years of the iconic series in 2024. The League iteration is a foundational version of the cleat, featuring Strikescale technology to improve ball control and a HybridTouch 2.0 upper for added flexibility and comfort.

New Balance Tekela V4+

New Balance released the Tekela V4+ as its flagship soccer cleat, debuting a special bespoke version for Real Madrid wunderkind Endrick’s arrival in European soccer. A full-foot stretch-knit upper grips the foot, while TPU angled rim studs support explosive plays.

New Balance Furon

The New Balance Furon is notable as the cleat of choice for England and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, who wore a special Aimé Leon Dore collaborative version in the opening game of the UEFA Euro 2024. Highlighted by an asymmetrical lacing system, the shoe features a Hypoknit upper construction with mesh lining.

PUMA Future Ultimate

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar Jr. was an early adopter of PUMA’s Future Ultimate, first seen wearing the boot during training on Boxing Day. The 10th generation of the Future silo, it incorporates an adaptive FUZIONFIT360 upper with PWRTAPE for improved lockdown. An engineered 3D texture enhances grip and control.

PUMA Ultra Ultimate

The PUMA Ultra Ultimate is the high-end flagship model of PUMA'S Ultra series. Built with lightweight ULTRAWEAVE textiles that cling to the foot like a second skin, PWRTAPE to the side of the foot provides additional support.

Soccer Cleat Features

The playing surface is a critical factor when choosing the correct cleat due to the studs and soleplate. Below, find an overview of each category.

Firm/Hard Ground (FG) (HG)

The most common type of stud is firm-ground studs, also referred to as molded spikes. These are worn by professionals on natural grass surfaces, helping improve traction and stability. The studs cannot be removed. 

Artificial Ground (AG)

Studs for artificial ground come equipped with shorter spikes across the soleplate. These studs are versatile and can be adapted to a natural grass surface.

Soft Ground (SG)

When playing on soft grass or wet ground, many footballers prefer studs made out of metal (soft-ground studs) that can be removed by unscrewing them. The weighty spikes penetrate the grass easier, offering improved traction. 

Multi Ground (MG)

Multi-ground studs can be adapted to various artificial and natural surfaces. Brands refer to these types of studs in different ways. Nike uses the term MG, adidas uses the acronym FxG, while PUMA uses the designation FG/AG (firm and artificial-ground surfaces). Multi-ground studs are the most versatile option available today.

Turf Ground (TF)

Turf-ground studs are similar to a sneaker and are suitable for streets and harder surfaces, such as carpet. Turf-ground cleats feature many small plastic studs across the underfoot.

Indoor

Studded cleats of any type are ill-suited to indoor play on hard floors. Instead, indoor footwear is preferable, particularly in futsal and five-a-sides.

Position-Specific Soccer Cleats

The cleat market is dominated by lightweight, aerodynamic cleats, otherwise referred to as “speed cleats.” These models are lightweight in their construction, suited to pace merchants who play in attacking positions. Conversely, the thin materials offer less protection, which is why defenders often prefer a boot with more padding, even if it adds additional weight. A heavier boot also adds more power when playing long passes or taking goal kicks.

When it comes to goalkeepers, the appropriate cleat is usually a matter of preference. Some will opt for a tough K-leather upper that adds reinforcement when being trodden on at set plays, while others who play a more active role, such as a sweeper keeper, prefer a speed option. 

Wide Soccer Cleats

People with wide feet may struggle with cleats that fit tight. This not only impacts comfort but can ruin the shape of the cleat.

There are various cleats that, while not specifically fine-tuned for wide feet, are a better option. For example, adidas’ Copa Mundial is composed of K-leather and will contour to the foot over time. This applies to other Three Stripes models as well, such as the Kaiser. For Nike cleats, models from the Tiempo line are ideal for wider feet.

Generally, a cleat made of leather is preferable because the material can contour to the foot with time.

Women’s Soccer Cleats

Major sports brands have developed women’s-specific cleats in recent years. One of the main differences is the fit, with women’s cleats designed for smaller, narrower feet. There is an ongoing inquest into why female players tend to suffer more anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than their male counterparts (according to research, they are six times more likely to do so), causing brands to refocus their research on women’s-led boot designs. 

The Nike Phantom Luna Elite is engineered to mitigate against such injuries, employing larger touch zones for optimized boot-to-ball connection and material advancements that reduce break-in time. As arch height fluctuates for women, there are also different ranges, from flat foot to high arch, while a revised cleat configuration on the underfoot plate offers superior traction.

Youth Soccer Cleats

Most brands adapt their cleats to sizing for kids. These models contain much of the same technical specifications as men’s and women’s releases and are a matter of personal preference.

Soccer Cleats Collabs

From Y-3 x Real Madrid to Palace x Juventus, fashion and soccer crossovers have been a recurring theme since the mid 2000s. The relationship was further amplified when, in 2023, Prada Linea Rossa and adidas created history with the first collection of game-appropriate luxury soccer cleats (previously, designs by the likes of Balenciaga were not intended for performance). Embracing lavish materials, the pack consisted of the Predator Accuracy, Copa Pure and X Crazyfast. The cleats were worn on the pitch by notable players including Catarina Macario, Paulo Dybala, Rafael Leão and Pedri.

Soccer Cleats FAQs