15 Best Soccer Cleats (Review) In 2022

Anyone who knows anything about the beautiful game understands there are few better options for the best soccer cleats other than the Adidas Performance Copa Mundial. An enduring style since the 70s, these boots have been worn Kaka, Klose, and Gerrard, and likely 95% of those you’ve played against in your own league.

They’re waterproof, and the simple design means you won’t make yourself a target for proper football men looking to teach you a lesson. As the years have progressed, so has the manufacturing technology, and they’re arguably the most comfortable cleats around. If you’ve not fussed about looking flash and want a no-nonsense pair of boots, look no further. If you love those kinds of sports, check out our guide to the best basketball sneakers.

If you do want to show off your silky skills and nimble, Cristiano-esque footwork, the Nike Mercurial Vapor XI are the perfect soccer shoes for you. The most expensive option in our selection, these will get you as close to the world class heights of everyone’s favorite Portuguese behemoth as possible, and will allow you to glide across the pitch with zero effort.

They are lightweight and thin, but still deliver superb durability, at least enough to last the whole season. The low-profile toe box helps you give the ball a greater wallop while still maintaining control, which is perfect for you to strike 40-yard free kicks just like you’ve seen Cristiano do time after time after time.

If you need a pair of cleats for your kid who’s just developing a love for soccer, the Vizari Stealth are the perfect entry-level pair for them. They’re cheap but also deliver superb quality to help your kid get started on their road to stardom and ensures they’ll be picked up by Academies in no time at all.

They’re durable and comfortable, while also providing excellent traction, which is always important for younger kids still finding their feet. To give them the proper introduction, they’re suitable for a variety of surfaces to ensure they can have a quick kick around whenever they feel like it. If you are a passionate runner, check out our guide to the best trail running shoes for men.

Another option for big kids and adults who need a multi-ground solution are the sleek Nike Phantom VSN DF. They’re ideal for a variety of foot shapes and will mold to fit you instead of demanding you cram your foot into the cleat and wear them in.

There’s also breathable fabric lining to prevent overheating, and the added texture ensures better ball control, while the Ghost Lace system hides the laces to deliver a cleaner strike. They seem like they’d cost a lot, but they actually come at a highly reasonable price for those who need a boot that does the job and looks great while doing it.

Those who want to look like the Greatest of All Time (sorry Ronaldo fans), will need to at least consider the Adidas Nemeziz Messi. They provide a responsive touch with superb ball control, and the firm ground cleat design provides excellent traction. They’re lightweight to ease fatigue, and for true Messi fanboys, you’ll also boast about printing his own footprint with the Gametrax outsole as you glide past the opposition like a specter.

These men’s soccer shoes won’t have you cutting through defenses straight away like the diminutive Argentinian maestro does effortlessly, but practice makes perfect, and who’s more perfect than Lionel Messi? You may also like to check our guide to the best trail running shoes for women.

The Adidas X 17.2 give you the chance to get out onto the field as soon as they arrive at your door. There’s no wear-in time, and fit is comfortable while also feeling wholly and curiously familiar, even if you’ve never worn cleats before.

This natural feeling is provided by the lightweight techfit compression upper which doesn’t suffocate your foot but still provides excellent stability on firm ground. The non-stop grip allows for easy ball control in both dry and wet weather, and if you’re looking for a speedy option to breach the last line of defense, this is a great pick for you.

Available in a plethora of colors to suit all soccer kits both casually and in competitive play, Under Armour Low MC Nitro is a pair of soccer boots for those looking for an upgrade from their entry-level pair. It combines coated textiles with synthetics placed strategically around the boot for optimal support, while the open-holed mesh tongue provides that necessary breathability.

The molded toe cap also delivers durability, which is especially useful when wearing them every week in a variety of conditions. While they are certainly an upgrade from your first pair, they’re unlikely to price many people out of purchasing, giving you a high-quality set of cleats at an excellent price. Be sure to also check out our list of the best high tops for more great items like this.

The versatile Puma Future 18.4 are suitable for both firm and artificial ground to save you money buying multiple pairs. To ensure comfort, you’ll also be treated to a lightweight feel that doesn’t bog you down late in the game, while the durable construction ensures durability throughout the season.

Its EvoPOWER design ensures excellent energy transfer when striking the ball, while the secure fit provides stability when bearing down on the opposition. This also prevents injury and keeps you playing throughout the season, breaking records and your opponent’s hearts.

If you need a pair of versatile turf soccer shoes, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 6 are an excellent upper-range option for getting the most out of your money. The dynamic fit collar makes them one of the most secure cleats around, while the plush sockliner is low to the ground for great control of movement and easy twisting and turning.

The multi-ground cleats can withstand a variety of different surfaces, while the ankle sleeve protects you from injury better than previous Mercurial models. If you’re tired of buying multiple boots a year, the durability of the Superfly 6s will also be a welcome change. Our handy guide to the best white sneakers features more great products like this. 

Another cheap option is the Puma Universal which boast a durability that far exceeds the price you’ll pay. The abrasion resistant material keeps them looking as good as new all-season long, but also delivers a wide range of flexibility to support you better during sprints, tracking back, and darting into pockets of space.

They’re designed for dry, all-natural surfaces, but can also perform admirably on turf. Unlike other soccer cleats, they’re wide enough to accommodate proper soccer socks and shin guards with ankle protectors to make pulling them on and taking them off no hassle at all.

Bold and just a little brash, the ASICS DS Light X-Fly 2 are the perfect low-to-mid-range soccer cleats for anyone wanting to make a statement on the field. The vibrant red color helps you stand out, but they’re more than just an eye-catching pair of cleats, though, and you’ll also be gifted a conforming fit for better ball control and even cleat distribution for better traction.

The Solyte material is – as the name suggests – super lightweight and will help you feel you’re gliding across the turf. They’re also suitable for multiple ground conditions and ensure explosive speed when you need that extra yard of pace to get the ball in the back of the net. Love this product? Check out our review of the best stability running shoes for our top picks.

The Adidas X 18.2 are a superb pick for anyone seeking better stability and support and may be vital for those who have suffered ankle and knee injuries in the past. The signature Clawcollar shape locks your foot into place, making every sprint and step the most stable you’ve experienced.

They’re also lightweight to offer a minimal feel, and this helps contribute to better control when receiving the ball. As for take off and stopping, the arrowhead forefoot and heel studs work in tandem to prevent slipping when reaching high speeds. For longer games, they’re also breathable allowing you to focus on the game and not on your ever-warming feet.

If you’ve played soccer all your life, you no doubt remember when the Predators first hit the scene and everyone who thought they were Zidane, Raul, or Beckham needed a pair. The Adidas Predator 19.3 is one of the latest evolutions of this iconic boot and still impresses despite tough competition.

It delivers breathability and assured comfort, while then Controlskin forefoot upper helps the ball stick to your toe with ease. There’s also lace-up adjustability, which combined with the wide-fitting design helps prevent cramping in those most crucial moments. To top it all off, the sleek matte finish is unassuming but still demonstrates you know what you’re doing, making you a truly deadly player to come up against. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best crossfit shoes.

Designed for the sprinters in the team, the New Balance Furon 4.0 Pro delivers effortless grip with a multi-zonal soleplate and hi-traction toe-off area for explosive speeds and optimal control. This is further complemented by the low-profile elastic track collar and ensures you’re the first to every ball every time.

The FantomFit mesh upper is lightweight and feels like you’re running around in socks, and for one of the cleanest strikes around, its hidraskin membrane and clean lace contact zone ensures you’ll never skew your shot into row Z, drawing ire from the opposing crowd. It’s also available in different colors so you can match it to shirt, shorts, socks, or whatever unique hair choice you’ve gone with this week.

Our final pick is also our best value choice, and the Adidas Performance Ace 16.3 are available in a variety of dynamic colors to make you look like the pro you always wished you could be. Designed for firm ground, they provide stability and smooth movement, while the sock-like fit ensures a secure fit to maintain comfort and reduce the chance of injury.

The Primemesh upper delivers quality control and first touch of the ball, even if you’ve struggled with such things in the past, and unlike some boots we’ve selected, they boast a wider fit than normal to prevent crowding and cramping your foot, especially when the game goes a little longer than expected. As a best value pick, you’re also guaranteed a great price, so get your pair fast before they sell out. If you like training, check out our guide to the best cross training shoes.