Indoor, wet grass, dirt or turf. Real leather, synthetic leather, comfort or durability. There are a variety of factors that you’ll need to consider before you purchase a pair of soccer cleats.
Sometimes it can be a bit baffling when you’ve just started to search for a pair due to the overwhelming number of brands and styles to choose from. Where to begin?
Start with our useful guide below which highlights the ten best soccer cleats today, and see why our top five picks are worth the investment. We’ve taken the time to research and review hundreds of pairs, and have narrowed down the options to show you the very best.
Top 10 Soccer Cleats Ranking
| Picture | Name | Surface Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. adidas Women's Matteo Nua TRX FG Soccer Cleat | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Nike THE NIKE PREMIER Men's Soccer | Outdoor / Hard Ground or Firm Ground | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 3. adidas Performance Men's Messi 10.3 Firm-Ground Soccer Cleat | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $ | 4.6 |
 | 4. PUMA Women's Evospeed 4.2 Firm Ground Soccer Shoe | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $ | 4.5 |
 | 5. adidas Performance Men's Samba Classic Indoor Soccer Shoe | Indoor | $ | 4.5 |
 | 6. Adidas Mens F50 Adizero Fg Firm Ground Soccer Cleats | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 7. adidas Performance Women's Predito Instinct Firm-Ground W Soccer Cleat | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $ | 4.4 |
 | 8. Mens Nike Mercurial Victory IV FG Soccer Cleats | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $ | 4.4 |
 | 9. PUMA Women's evoSPEED 5.2 FG Soccer Cleat | Outdoor / Firm Ground | $$ | 4.3 |
 | 10. PUMA evoSPEED Star Soccer Cleat | Indoor | $$ | 4.2 |
Match the Cleats to the Ground Surface
You play your soccer games on a variety of surfaces: soft grass, wet grass, dirt or turf. You need to make sure that your cleats give you the proper traction for each of these surfaces. Here is a list of the most common ones (we will show you the full name and the acronym, since the latter is often used when discussing soccer cleats):
- HG (Hard Ground). These cleats are appropriate for hard surfaces like artificial turf or dry, dirt fields.
- FG (Firm Ground). For all of the natural surfaces you’ll encounter, like grass. In general, these cleats are the most versatile for a variety of surfaces. The studs can either be bladed (rectangular) or conical, which provide you with great traction.
- SG (Soft Ground). Playing on a wet, grassy field? You’ll want a soft ground pair of cleats. These are designed to penetrate the soft ground, so naturally you won’t want to use them on a hard surface such as dirt. If you live in an area where it rains frequently, then soft ground cleats are good to have on hand.
- AT (Turf). Artificial grass turfs are different from indoor turfs. The latter is more like a carpet, whereas the grass turf is made of synthetic fibers that are designed to look like natural grass. Companies have had to design specific cleats to conform to this type of surface, so make sure you have the right pair should you happen play on it.
- Indoor. Some indoor turfs have short synthetic fibers and others longer ones. Shoes for this turf don’t have protruding cleats like other models do.
Upper Material
You’ll find that most soccer cleats are made of the following materials:
- Real Leather. Calfskin, full grain or kangaroo leather are popular. These tend to absorb more water and therefore are not recommended on wet, grassy fields. They’re comfortable and great for soccer ball control.
- Synthetic Leather. A variety of synthetic leathers are used for the upper portion of the shoe, and these are usually more durable. Just the opposite of their leather counterparts, they are also usually less comfortable.
Some contain special coatings that make them waterproof, as well.
Do Position and Cleat Style Matter?
It depends on whom you ask, and most will tell you that you should find something comfortable. You should always take into consideration your position on the field (or changing positions, for that matter) while you are cleat shopping.
In general, keep the following in mind:
- Goalkeeper. You need something that offers rock solid traction as a goalkeeper, that can handle all of the powerful kicks you’ll be sending up the field and something that is comfortable.
- Forward. You want great touch and speed. The shoes should be lightweight, so make sure cleats weigh no more than nine ounces (per shoe).
- Midfield. Shoes with a leather upper will help you to feel the ball, which is just what you need in order to control the ball properly. Comfort is also key.
- Defenders. Leather uppers are perfect for defenders, even if they do add on a little extra weight. You need a sturdy material for all of the tough hits your feel will take, whether those be from other players or from kicking the ball up field.
Types of Studs
Some soccer cleats comes with different types of studs: either conical or rectangular.
The conical (round) studs allow you to turn your foot clockwise or counter-clockwise even it’s planted in the ground. A rectangular stud keeps your foot firmly in one place, which can be either a bad thing or a good thing, depending on your position.
Remember that some studs are also built into the sole of the shoe, while others can be detached. Detachable ones are handy, because if the upper part of the shoe is in great condition while a few of the studs are worn down, you can easily remove and replace them.
Extras
Remember to show your shoes a little extra T.L.C. with the proper cleaning products. Leather shoes require different oils or sprays than synthetic shoes, so find out which is the best for your cleats and be sure to pick up a bottle to help prolong the life of your shoes. Investing a little time here and there will help you invest less money on your shoes throughout the years!
We’re sure that with the help of our guide above you’ll feel much more confident about purchasing.
Top 5 Best Soccer Cleats Reviews
Our top five list includes a mixture of the best soccer cleats for men and women.
1. Adidas Women’s Matteo Nua TRX
These durable soccer cleats are made of synthetic leather and they are highly effective at repelling water if you find yourself playing on wet grass.
The bladed studs provide you with ultimate grip and you’ll be able to quickly run up and down any firm ground fields. The EVA (ethylene vinyl-acetate) midsole is also comfortable.
The price is great for the quality, and it doesn’t hurt that they are great to look at! Adidas is known for their great soccer cleats, and these are definitely a great example why.
2. THE NIKE PREMIER
The Nike Men’s Premier Soccer cleats feature a top quality kangaroo leather upper mixed with goat leather quarter and heel panels.
The classic conical studs work great on a variety of surfaces and they also allow you to move more quickly and easily (bladed studs tend to give you grip but don’t let you rotate your foot while it is on the ground while conical studs, on the other hand, do).
If you have wide feet, these also offer a great fit.
3. Adidas Performance Messi 10.3
Apart from being stylish, the adidas Performance Men’s Messi Cleats are also top-quality.
They couldn’t be anything BUT quality with Lionel Messi’s name attached to them!
They have bladed studs which offer you excellent grip on firm ground surfaces. They’ll have you shooting around both grass and turf fields like a rocket.
4. PUMA Evospeed 4.2
If you’re not fond of the yellow and turquoise look for your feet, you can find the Puma Women’s EvoSpeed Cleats in another color. They are pretty slick looking shoes, but yellow isn’t for everyone!
The soles offer a mixture of oval, tear-drop and round studs, great for keeping you steady on a variety of firm ground surfaces.
They are lightweight and durable with their synthetic leather uppers, and offer you exceptional ball control.
Great cleats for female soccer players at an affordable price!
5. Adidas Performance Samba Classic
Let’s not forget the adidas Performance Men’s Samba Classic Indoor shoes. You can’t go wrong with a pair of real leather shoes.
These indoor shoes are tough as nails. Quality rubber sole, solid stitching, and great traction on those indoor turfs. They last through game after game!
You might even find that you like them so much, you’d wear them off the court, too. If that’s the case, you better order two pairs so you have a pair that you save for practices and games!
The best soccer shoes for your feet. Just remember to take into consideration our tips and suggestions before you choose, and you’ll have no problem finding a great pair!
