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Ask a soccer player how important their soccer cleats are and they’ll let you know in no uncertain terms that cleats can literally be game changers. A pair of well designed and reliable cleats can make all the difference in a player’s game performance. With so many available brands and designs on the market though, it can be an overwhelming process when cleat shopping.
Luckily for you, we’ve made this search much easier and done the research. After testing many different pairs, and aggregating tens of thousands of online reviews – we can confidently recommended the best soccer cleats. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Adidas Unisex Copa Mundial Firm Ground Soccer Cleats
With over 1,600 glowing online reviews, the Adidas Unisex Copa Mundial Firm Ground Soccer Cleats are our top pick. Consumers love its comfort, durability, and amazing traction. It is popular among professional athletes as well as novices and with a mid range price tag it a great pick for any soccer player. Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Adidas Performance Mundial Team Turf Soccer Cleat
With over 1,300 positive reviews this turf soccer cleat boasts an impressive 4.6 star rating. For turf soccer you can’t go wrong with this classic design. It is lightweight, well cushioned, and provides wonderful traction. We definitely recommend it.
Adidas Women’s Goletto VI FG W Soccer Shoes
The Women’s Goletto VI FG W Soccer Shoes rank high with consumer satisfaction. With over 250 positive reviews and a 4.6 star rating you can’t go wrong with these stylish cleats. With a simple, yet effective design, they provide stability, cushioning, and great ball control. As an added bonus, it is one of the more affordable cleats on the market. Definitely recommended.
Adidas Men’s Nemeziz 19.3 Firm Ground Soccer Shoe
The Adidas Nemeziz 19.3 Firm Ground Soccer Shoe is a popular pick. It is extremely lightweight, ultra comfortable, and holds up well against the wear and tear of frequent soccer matches. With a 4.5 star rating we can confidently recommend this cleat.
Nike Men’s Superfly 7 Academy Fg/Mg Football Shoe
This stylish cleat has over 250 positive reviews and a 4.5 star rating. Consumers appreciate its fun look, amazing traction, great ball control, and comfortable insoles. Its higher price point is well worth the investment as the durability will provide long term use.
Dream Pairs Men’s Cleats
These budget friendly cleats have nearly 600 satisfied consumers and a 4.4 star rating. With a classic and simple design, they sport cushioned insoles, long easily tied laces, and great stability. These are the lowest priced cleats on our list, but the quality and features rival the more expensive selections. Definitely recommended.
Puma Men’s King Allround TT Soccer Cleat
The Puma King Allround soccer cleat is one of the most well known and renown soccer shoes on the market. Its reputation is well deserved as this cleat boasts a 100% leather body, provides extreme comfort and stability, and is one of the most enduring cleats on the market. These are also wider than most cleats on the market making them a favorite for those with non-narrow feet. With over 200 favorable reviews it is a wonderful soccer shoe choice.
Adidas Men’s Predator 19.3 Firm Ground Soccer Shoe
The Adidas Predator soccer cleats have nearly 400 positive reviews. Consumers find this cleat to provide the right amount of traction, a tight good fit, and are lightweight to boot. A good pick for sure.
Nike Phantom VSN Academy DF FG Soccer Cleat
The Nike Phantom cleats are top sellers and its easy to see why. With their fun and bright design and one-pull lace-less tighteners these modern style cleats are a great soccer shoe. Consumers love the snug and comfortable fit, as well as impressive ball control and stability. For a reliable and strong cleat look no further.
Anluke Men’s Athletic Hightop Cleats Team Turf
If you are in the market for team turf cleats, these hightop soccer shoes provide excellent support and a fun colorful design. The Anluke cleats are some of the more affordable options on the market and provide many of the same advantages as their higher priced competitors. Definitely recommended.
How We Test
We test every product we review, and in the case of these soccer cleats we tore up and down many indoor and outdoor soccer fields. The cleats were subjected to wet and dry conditions as well to be sure they would hold up. We also compiled and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews.
Other variables we took into account: comfort, fit, durability, performance, and stability. We also considered other factors, such as: flexibility, sole thickness, cushioning, and the weight of the cleats. Ultimately, we only recommend products we stand behind, so you can rest assured these cleats are the real deal.
How Should Soccer Cleats Fit?
In order to have good ball control and stability, soccer cleats must fit very snugly. While you will want to avoid cleats that cause pain, you should expect them to fit tighter than a running shoe or tennis shoe. It often takes new soccer players a bit of time to adjust to the tighter fit.
Also take into account the material your cleats are made from. Natural leather will conform and stretch a bit more than synthetic materials. When purchasing leather cleats know they will loosen a bit with time and wear, whereas synthetic materials are more likely to stay much the same as when you first purchase them.
Breaking In Soccer Cleats
Most players will want to break their cleats in before their first game of the season to prevent blisters and pain. Synthetic cleats are best broken in by simply wearing them for short periods of time every day for a week or two. This allows your foot to adjust to the shape of the cleat and loosens the shoe material.
For leather cleats a water bath is often suggested. By submerging your new cleats (and feet) into a pan of hot (not too hot) water for about 20 minutes, the leather will better conform to your feet. Afterwards you will want to walk around with the wet shoes for a bit before allowing them to air dry completely.
Can I Use Soccer Cleats For American Football?
The simple answer is yes. Football officials will allow players to wear soccer cleats and a football player may find soccer cleats adequate enough to get the job done. Performance may suffer though.
Football cleats are often heavier and provide ankle support which is important for American footballers. While soccer cleats are very versatile, there is a reason particular types of cleats are aimed at particular sports. Buying the cleat that was designed for your sport is highly recommended.
Can I Use Soccer Cleats For Baseball?
Similar to our discussion above, soccer cleats can be used for baseball. They are not the optimal choice however. For serious baseball players an investment in baseball cleats is highly recommended.
It is important to note, that baseball cleats cannot be used in soccer. Baseball cleats are equipped with an additional toe stud that would be dangerous in a soccer match and soccer officials will ban these type of footwear at games. If you play multiple sports, you may need to invest in multiple cleats.
Can I Use Soccer Cleats For Lacrosse?
Much like our discussions on football and baseball, soccer cleats can be used for lacrosse but this is not generally encouraged. Lacrosse cleats are designed with ankle support in mind and a soccer cleat may not cut it. Some areas may not have lacrosse cleats widely available so soccer cleats are sometimes used as a substitute until a player can access lacrosse cleats.
Also like baseball cleats, lacrosse cleats cannot be worn in soccer matches as they too have an additional toe stud that would be dangerous in a soccer match.
Are Metal Cleats Allowed In Soccer?
Metal spiked cleats are not prohibited in professional soccer. Private leagues and youth leagues, however, may restrict them due to increased chances of injuries. It is best to check your league’s official rules and guidelines before purchasing soccer cleats with metal spikes.
Metal spikes are best on poor pitch terrains and during wet conditions. Some prefer metal spikes as they wear slower than plastic cleats. Many players will invest in a pair of plastic and a pair of metal cleats so they can choose the best cleat for the conditions.
Do Soccer Cleats Run Small?
Just as with any type of shoe, cleat sizes can vary depending on both brand and model. Reading consumer reviews is the best way to know if a particular cleat runs large, small, or true to size. Even if you always use one brand, sizes can be different between the brand’s various models.
A good rule of thumb is to purchase soccer cleats a half size smaller than your daily shoes size. This allows for the snugger fit needed to best control the ball. And if you find the fit does not work, do not hesitate to return them for a better fitting size.
Lacing Soccer Cleats
A great pair of soccer cleats won’t be very useful if you fail to lace your cleats properly. To prevent ankle injuries and provide stability, laces should be tied tightly and any excess length should tucked in (or use shorter laces).
While there are many styles of lacing, the top-lock lacing technique is the most widely used. When done properly it helps prevent the foot from slipping around inside the cleat and supports the ankles. The forward-foot lock lacing is a variation on the top-lock technique and stabilizes the front and middle of the foot best.
How To Clean Soccer Cleats
The best way to keep your soccer cleats looking new is to clean them regularly. Preferably after every use. As soon as a game ends knock the cleats together to remove any clumps of dirt or grass and use an old towel or rag to wipe them down before putting them in your bag.
If the shoes have stains you can use a mixture of warm water and mild laundry detergent to gently scrub away the smudges. For a full cleaning remove laces and insoles and wash your cleats inside a pillowcase in your washing machine using cold water and a delicate cycle. Always allow to air dry to prevent damage.
Can Soccer Cleats Be Customized?
Many online retailers offer soccer cleat customization. A custom cleat allows you to choose the colors, images, or patterns on the cleat. You can also have a name or number added to the shoes.
Custom cleats have become popular in large part because so many professional soccer players have them. They are a great way to show personality or team spirit. A custom cleat will cost a bit more than a standard shoe, but many find it worth the investment.
How Much Do Soccer Cleats Cost?
As with most shoes, you will find a large range in the cost of soccer cleats. There are low cost ($30 – $75) cleats, mid cost ($80 – $150) choices, and high cost ($160 – $300) shoes on the market. This variation allows anyone to find a good soccer cleat within their budget.
Price is not always an indicator of quality so be sure to review our list of the best soccer cleats and look over reviews to find the best cleat that won’t break the bank. There truly is a soccer cleat for anyone.
Where Can I Buy Soccer Cleats?
Soccer cleats are widely available from online retailers as well as sports equipment stores. For the greatest variety, online stores are the way to go. You can find any make or model as well as customize soccer cleats online.
If you prefer to physically try on your soccer cleats before purchasing, a sports equipment store is your best bet. It is often recommended to new soccer players to buy their first pair in a store so they can be fitted properly and shown how to best lace the cleats.
The Best Soccer Cleats
There you have it – our top picks for the best soccer cleats. No matter what surface or conditions you will be playing on, we found cleats to cover you. There are lots of options out there in the footwear market, so be sure and check out our other fitness and fashion product reviews.