Best soccer cleats of 2024

Meet our top contender for the best soccer cleats. Nike’s Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite are made for speed, with Zoom Air technology in the plate adding to explosiveness. It’s no surprise that they’ve been worn by countless professional players, especially forwards and midfielders.

The lightweight upper will help you feel agile while keeping your feet comfortable. They’re made of Vaporposite+, a composite material with a grippy mesh pattern for better ball handling. The fit is narrow and protective, but we still recommend purchasing true-to-size. You may want to avoid these cleats if you have wide feet. 

Why we like it

• Explosive Zoom Air unit in the plate enhances speed
• Light and comfortable
• Grippy upper mesh

What to consider

• May not suit wide feet

Best budget: Adidas Copa Gloro Firm Ground Soccer Cleats

The Adidas Copa Gloro are the best cleats for soccer players on a budget, with a classic design highly rated for comfort and fit. They have a calf leather upper that ensures the shoe will conform to your foot shape, making it a versatile choice for different foot shapes. The fit is true to size, so you won’t need to size up or down. 

The Copa Gloro doesn’t feature any of the bells and whistles of more expensive boots, but they exemplify simplicity done well. That’s why this staple design has been popular for many years. 

Why we like it

• Budget-friendly
• Very comfortable
• Leather upper conforms well to foot

What to consider

• No innovative features

Best for scoring: Adidas Predator Accuracy+ Firm Ground Soccer Cleats

At first glance, the laceless Adidas Predator Accuracy+ cleats bring socks to mind. That’s not a bad thing — soccer shoes are supposed to fit almost like socks to support the feet while still allowing for maximum “touch” on the ball. They have a PrimeKnit collar that wraps around the ankle for added stability and protection. 

Adidas designed the Predator Accuracy range with goal-scoring in mind. The synthetic HybridTouch upper has 3D grip elements for heightened control over the ball. The FaceTrame outsole is designed to direct power to the forefoot to boost your striking force. 

The Accuracy.1 offers the same benefits but with laces for players who prefer a traditional silhouette and the adjustability of laces. 

Why we like it

• Secure, responsive, laceless fit 
• Gritty upper for better ball control
• FaceTrame outsole design boosts striking

What to consider

• Expensive 

Best for women: Nike Phantom Luna

All of the shoes on our list are unisex, but the reality is that most cleats are designed with male players in mind. However, female players have unique needs, especially when it comes to injury prevention, and the Nike Phantom Luna cleats were designed specifically with that in mind. 

Research shows that women are likelier to experience injuries when playing soccer, in part because of the increased friction of cleats on grass. Nike aims to make pivoting safer and easier with the Cyclone 360 sole pattern which offers a more balanced level of traction. 

The knit upper contributes to the fit of these women’s soccer cleats, ensuring they’re snug and secure up to the ankle. Asymmetrical lacing allows for adjustments based on your foot’s unique shape. While these cleats are women-led, they can be worn by players of all genders. Keep in mind that some reviewers found that the fit can be too tight and narrow, especially for wide feet.  

Why we like it

• Shoes designed specifically for the needs of women players
• Balanced Nike Cyclone 360 traction pattern improves pivoting 
• Adjustable and protective fit

What to consider

• May not suit wide feet

Best for artificial grass: Nike Phantom GX Elite

If you play on artificial grass often, having a great pair of AG soccer cleats is a must. Many of the options on our list are available in AG versions, but we’re big fans of what the Nike Phantom GX Elite brings to the table. 

The Phantom range is known for offering players incredible contact with the ball thanks to an ultra-flexible, soft and snug Gripknit upper. Reviewers raved that it’s extremely comfortable and helped with their ball handling. 

Reviewers mentioned that they run a little large, so this is a good option for players with wide feet. They’re also a good option even if you occasionally play on real glass, as many players agree that it’s okay to play on real grass with AG shoes. 

Why we like it

• Provides excellent contact with the ball
• Very comfortable and snug Gripknit upper
• Safer option for artificial grass

What to consider

• A little pricey 
• Run large

Best for wide feet: New Balance Tekela v4 Pro Low FG

New Balance may not be as big of a name in soccer cleats as Nike or Adidas, but the latest release in the Tekela range is a great argument for changing that. The Tekela V4 cleats offer outstanding comfort in a very lightweight package. 

Designed with a stretch knit synthetic upper, they’ll keep you feeling connected to the ball while textured detailing on the sides will add to your control. The unique traction pattern features blades along the edge for added support during fast turns. They fit true to size and can comfortably accommodate players with wider feet, although some reviewers mentioned that the heel counter caused them discomfort. 

Why we like it

• Comfortable and lightweight
• Stretch knit upper for optimal “touch” 
• Unique traction adds “bite” to turns

What to consider

• Some players may experience heel discomfort 

Best multi-ground: Puma Future Pro FG/AG Men's Soccer Cleats

Puma brings versatility to the soccer cleat game. The Future Pro cleats will keep your game strong no matter what pitch you play on, thanks to a multi-ground FG/AG sole. Plus, they’re reasonably priced and offer features we usually only see in more expensive models. 

For example, they have a stretchy, high-quality upper that offers a secure fit with a 3D texture that enhances ball control. The fit is true to size but still suitable for those with wide feet. 

The outsole has a mixed stud pattern with both round and blade studs, which we think will perform almost equally well on firm ground as FG-only shoes. That said, if you play on artificial grass more often than not, we think an AG-only pair like the Nike Phantom GX Elite might be a better choice. 

Whereas many cleats are unisex, Puma keeps things separate. These are the men’s soccer cleats, but there is also a women’s version. 

Why we like it

• Play on different kinds of pitches with the same pair 
• Reasonably priced
• Textured upper with great fit

What to consider

• May perform better on firm ground than on artificial grass 

How to choose soccer cleats

Deciding on the best soccer cleats comes down to fit, your playing surface, your material preferences and whether there are any specific technologies or features that you’re interested in. 

• Fit: Football shoes are usually designed to fit snugly on the first try, with just a bit of room to wiggle your toes. Be aware of your foot’s unique needs, such as whether you need a wide, normal, or narrow fit. Consider cleats with laces for added adjustability. 
• Playing surface: Always purchase shoes designed for your specific playing surface since wearing the wrong kind can increase your risk of injury. Opt for AG or Multi-Ground shoes like Puma Future if you play on both artificial grass and firm ground.
• Material: Most modern cleats are made from synthetic materials that require no break-in period. If your feet are wide or you often find it hard to find a good fit, you might prefer cleats with leather uppers that will adjust to your foot. 
• Technologies: From extra-grippy upper materials to new sole traction patterns, brands are working hard to innovate with specific purposes in mind, especially when it comes to their high-end soccer cleats. Most beginners may benefit from a simple, budget-friendly design like the Adidas Copa Gloro, but more advanced players may appreciate added features.

Methodology

To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features, and created a short list of the top soccer cleats. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews, and user ratings to find the best cleats for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews, and expert opinions.

FAQ

How often should you replace your cleats?

Most brands recommend replacing your soccer cleats after every season, especially if you practice several times throughout the week. That means changing your cleats about once every six months to a year. 

What soccer cleats do professional players wear?

Professional players usually wear elite or pro-level soccer cleats from brands like Nike and Adidas, often as part of sponsorship deals. Many of the shoes on our list have been worn by professional players, including our top pick, the Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite. 

Are more expensive cleats better?

Expensive cleats often boast more advanced technologies or upscale materials, like specially engineered synthetic uppers, 3D grips for better ball control, or specialized sole patterns. That said, many budget cleats perform well even without special features or materials, so the key is to choose a pair that’ll keep you comfortable. 

References

1. Blanchard, S., Palestri, J., Guer, J. L., & Behr, M. (2018). Current Soccer Footwear, Its Role in Injuries and Potential for Improvement. Sports medicine international open, 2(2), E52–E61. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0608-4229 Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6259463/ 
2. Ewald M. Hennig & Thorsten Sterzing (2010) The influence of soccer shoe design on playing performance: a series of biomechanical studies, Footwear Science, 2:1, 3-11, DOI: 10.1080/19424281003691999 Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19424281003691999 
3. OʼKane, J. W., Gray, K. E., Levy, M. R., Neradilek, M., Tencer, A. F., Polissar, N. L., & Schiff, M. A. (2016). Shoe and Field Surface Risk Factors for Acute Lower Extremity Injuries Among Female Youth Soccer Players. Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, 26(3), 245–250. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000236 Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4726477/ 
4. Newcomb, T. (2023, June 7). Nike Unveils Women-Led Phantom Luna Soccer Cleat. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2023/06/07/nike-unveils-women-led-phantom-luna-soccer-cleat/
5. Silva, D. C. F., Santos, R., Vilas-Boas, J. P., Macedo, R., Montes, A. M., & Sousa, A. S. P. (2017). Influence of Cleats-Surface Interaction on the Performance and Risk of Injury in Soccer: A Systematic Review. Applied bionics and biomechanics, 2017, 1305479. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1305479 Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5480019/