15 Best Soccer Cleats For Beginners, Advanced, and Elite Players!
For all you soccer lovers, we are going to dive into the best soccer cleats of 2023, comparing their unique features and helping you choose the pair that perfectly aligns with your game. These boots (aka soccer cleats) can directly affect your speed, agility, ball control, and protection on the field.
We’ll help you understand important terms to know before making a purchase. We’ll also share what top players around the world use for their cleats.
To begin, there are only a few well-known brands that produce popular soccer cleats. In this discussion, we will focus on the four largest shoe manufacturers: Adidas, Nike, Puma, and New Balance. And we’ll explain how they categorize their soccer cleats into different tiers.
Best Soccer Cleats
1) Adidas X Crazyfast+ FG (Best Super Elite)
This boot is seriously the lightest ever! It looks amazing, super lightweight, and ultra-modern. It will take your performance up a notch. However, it’s not the best for those seeking protection. But again it is the best Adidas speed boot by far! And it should be because it is the most expensive version.
The main difference between this boot and the .1 is that this boot is the lightest and made of the thinnest material, which makes it highly breathable.
2) Adidas X Crazyfast .1 FG (Best Top-Tier)
The soccer cleats fit well and offer excellent arch support. I didn’t experience any foot soreness after games and practices.
Again just like the +, these boots are very lightweight and comfortable. They have a good fit and provide quick acceleration. I highly recommend these cleats for those intermediate to elite looking to be as fast as you can.
3) Adidas X Crazyfast .3 FG (Best for Recreational Players)
Great value for money. The fit is good, and the material is soft and nice. It’s not too thin or too thick, providing just the right comfort around the toes – not too loose or tight. Suitable for casual play, yet offers enough protection for players of all levels in leagues.
Again just like the other Crazyfast soccer cleats, these are lightweight, comfortable, and improves performance. However, this shoe may take a little time to break in, and they are slightly narrow.
4) Adidas X Crazyfast Messi .3 Indoor (Best Indoor)
If you’re a fan of Messi and the Argentina National team, this INDOOR boot is perfect for you! It has an amazing design, great quality, and is super comfortable. It fits true to size and is great for indoor league games or futsal. Plus, you can also wear it casually, for simple workouts, or even outdoor running. It’s versatile and stylish!
5) Adidas Predator Accuracy .5 (Best For Beginners)
It’s super comfy and lightweight, feels like I’m not wearing a thing! Perfect for beginners, but if you’re more experienced, you may want to go for something higher quality. A sleek, classic cleat with great details and an affordable price. Fits true to size.
6) Adidas Copa Pure .2 FG (Best Value)
These cleats are awesome! They fit perfectly right out of the box and are super comfortable. Breaking them in was a breeze, and I love how they feel on the field. The leather is top-notch and makes me feel connected to the ball. I’m really happy with these boots – they look amazing and feel incredibly comfortable. They provide great protection, especially when someone steps on them.
They’ve received many great reviews, and they’re a great value for competitive play. These cleats are durable and true to size. They might take a little time to break in, but once they do, they’re super comfy.
7) Adidas X SpeedPortal Messi .1 FG
If you’re a Messi fan and want to play like him, this shoe might be a perfect fit for you! It’s designed for advanced players who crave speed and ball control on the pitch. It might feel a bit snug at first, but once you break it in, you’ll experience great comfort.
Personally, it has improved my speed and dribbling. Overall, it’s one of the best cleats I’d recommend for speed. Just a heads up, while there are many great reviews of this shoe, most of the rave reviews come from Messi fanatics. =)
8) Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite AG (Best For AG Cleats)
The Zoom Air unit that designed is made for soccer, along with the grippy texture for incredible touch. Ypu can feel the explosive speed when you are running around the pitch. Perfect for advanced players who play on an AG field!
9) Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite KM FG
For Kylian Mbappe fans to feel just like the player! These shoes are for advanced to elite players, the upper is made of Vaporposite+, which combines a grippy, grid mesh with a premium material for optimal ball control at high speeds. The material provides a tactile feel across the surface. And it’s soft, but stable and wraps tightly around your foot, giving you a more natural on-ball feel when dribbling, passing or scoring.
10) Nike Phantom GX Elite Dynamic Fit FG
Running with them on felt super lightweight, and I could easily cut corners without worrying about rolling my ankle. Great for midfielders/defensive backs. As for the cons, the heel part did rub against my skin on just one foot, but it wasn’t a major issue.
11) Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Pro FG (Good For Recreational)
Running with them on felt super lightweight, and I could easily cut corners without worrying about rolling my ankle. Great for midfielders/defensive backs. As for the cons, the heel part did rub against my skin on just one foot, but it wasn’t a major issue.
12) Nike Gripknit Phantom GX Elite FG (Good For Defensive Backs)
These boots fit like a glove. You have so much control because they wrap around your foot perfectly. If you want some extra room, go true to size or just half a size up. Again a good shoe of midfielders/defensive backs, because the Gripknit material is a total game-changer. It gives you better grip and control over the ball while molding your foot, so you get the same grip no matter the conditions. But, you know what? This is the shoe Haaland wears to score his countless goals.
13) New Balance Furon v7 Pro FG
These cleats are one the most comfortable ones I’ve tried! The material feels amazing on dry conditions. Because the material is so soft, it’s like almost playing barefoot! These cleats are very light, so I felt little to no pain even after sprinting through the whole match. The only downside is that they don’t offer much toe protection if someone stomps on them.
14) Puma Future Z 1.1 (Good for AG and FG)
Here’s another one for all you advanced and intermediate players who are big fans of Neymar and want a killer pair of boots! It’s got an adaptive mid-foot FUZIONFIT+ compression band for that perfect fit and agility. And let’s not forget the super lightweight Dynamic Motion System outsole that provides support for all those dynamic movements. Plus, it’s got Grip Control Pro for precise touch and ball control.
15) Adidas Goletto VIII FG (Most Affordable)
These soccer cleats are perfect for recreational or youth soccer. They’re simple, with a timeless design, and a great value. They perform well, just what you want for soccer cleats. They’re durable and easy to take care of.
Terms You Should Know Before Buying
- Boots = Cleats
- FG = Firm Ground/Grass
- AG = Artificial Ground/Grass
- Pitch = Field
- Laceless or Laces
What is the Soccer Cleats Tier System?
The tier system for soccer cleats typically falls into four categories (Adidas has 5). It’s important to note that the terminology may differ slightly between soccer brands, but the tiering concept is consistent. These tiers reflect the quality of materials used, the technology incorporated, and the overall performance potential of the cleats.
1) Adidas (+) (.1) / Nike Elite / Puma Ultimate
Elite or Pro cleats are the top-of-the-line models worn by professional or highly competitive players. They incorporate the latest technology, premium materials, and often provide the best fit and performance. They are designed for maximum efficiency, durability, and comfort.
*Adidas + is their highest tier, while Adidas .1 is just slightly below. Both are some of the best soccer cleats you can have.
2) Adidas .2 / Nike Pro / Puma Pro
This tier is a step down from the Elite level. While these cleats still provide high performance, they may not be as lightweight with all the premium materials or technological features of the top tier. They are often a more affordable alternative for competitive players who want a quality boot without the top-tier price tag.
3) Adidas .3 / Nike Academy / Puma Match
Academy or Mid-tier cleats offer a balance between quality and affordability. They incorporate some of the features of the higher tiers but use more economical materials. These cleats are great for casual players, youth players, or those who play soccer recreationally but still want reliable performance.
4) Adidas .4 / Nike Club / Puma Play
Club or Entry-level cleats are the most affordable options. They are designed for beginner players or those who are still learning the game and aren’t yet ready to invest in high-end boots. While they don’t boast the high-tech features of the upper tiers, they are generally comfortable and offer enough performance for basic play.
Remember, the best cleat for you is not necessarily the most expensive or the most technologically advanced. It’s the one that fits well, feels comfortable, matches your style of play, and falls within your budget.
How To Choose the Best Soccer Cleats?
Choosing the best soccer cleats depends on several factors, including your playing style, the position you play, the surface you’ll be playing on, and personal comfort and fit. Here are some steps to guide you in making the right choice:
- Playing Surface: Different types of cleats are designed for different playing surfaces.
- Playing Position: The position you play can also dictate the type of cleats you should choose. For example, forwards often choose lighter cleats that offer agility, while midfielders might want a balance of speed and ball control. Defenders often go for protective, durable cleats that offer stability, and goalkeepers might choose cleats that provide good traction and lateral support.
- Materials: Soccer cleats can be made from various materials, each providing a unique feel and performance. Synthetic materials offer more durability and less maintenance but may not provide the same touch as natural leathers. Knitted materials, like Nike’s Flyknit or Adidas’ Primeknit, are also popular for their combination of comfort, flexibility, and ball feel.
- Laces vs. Laceless. It really comes down to how secure you want your football cleats to feel. Laced football boots give you a snug fit, while laceless options may offer a better feel for the ball, along with more predictable touches.
- Fit and Comfort: The best cleats are the ones that fit you perfectly.
- Budget: Finally, consider your budget. More expensive cleats often feature advanced technology or premium materials, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a quality pair of cleats at a lower price.
- Personal Preference: Last but not least, personal preference plays a big role. Do you prefer a high-top design for ankle support or a traditional low cut? Do you prefer the feel of leather or synthetic materials? Do you like a particular brand? Your cleats should not only perform well but also make you feel confident on the field.
What’s The Difference Between Soccer Cleats and Soccer Shoes?
The main difference between lies in the design of the outsole.
Cleats are designed for use on natural grass fields and feature studs or blades for traction.
In contrast, soccer shoes are more versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including indoor courts, artificial turf, and hard, dry grass fields. However, these shoes typically lack the aggressive traction provided by the studs or blades of cleats.
If you’re playing typical soccer (also known as football outside of America) on an outdoor grass field, you should be wearing soccer cleats.
