The 10 Best Soccer Cleats
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in May of 2018. While legends of the sport, like Pele, might have gotten their start playing the beautiful game barefoot, a good pair of soccer cleats is an absolute necessity for modern competitive play. The options on our list run the gamut from solid boots for kids and casual players through to lightweight models made of exotic materials that you might see worn by your favorite professionals. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Nike Mercurial Superfly V FG
2. Adidas Predator Mutator 20.1 FG
3. Adidas Men's Predator Instinct Hunt
Editor's Notes
June 03, 2020:
Removed the Adidas Men's Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility FG in favor of the updated Adidas Men's Nemeziz 19.3. Removed the Nike Tiempo VI in favor of the Nike Tiempo Legend VI. Removed the Adidas Men's PureSpeed 17+ FG in favor of the Adidas Predator Mutator 20.1 FG. Removed the Adidas Men's X 16+ PureChaos Firm Ground because of repetition and in favor of the Puma Men's Future 5.1 Netfit FG.
For several of the boots we included here, there may be an updated version. For some like the Nemeziz, we replaced the prior pick with the updated version since we judged the newer version to have improved over the last. With some, however, the updated or more expensive option was deemed inferior to its predecessor. Once such example is the Predator Mutator 20.1 which we included over its more expensive counterpart, the Mutator 20+. The two primary considerations were the laces and grip. The 20+s don't have laces, which some prefer because of the cleaner profile and striking surface but that also means that the 20.1s have a much better lockdown on your foot and therefore better performance. The laces also allow for greater customizability whereas the laceless 20+s can't be modified according to the tightness preferences of individual players. We also favored the 20.1s because of their slightly more manageable grip relative to the 20+s. The grip on the 20+s takes much more time to adjust to and there will be another adjustment period if you want to switch back and forth between the 20+s and other boots.
4. Adidas Men's Ace 17+ PureControl FG
5. Puma Men's Future 5.1 Netfit FG
6. Nike Tiempo Legend VI
7. Adidas X 16+ PureChaos FG
8. Adidas Men's Nemeziz 19.3
9. Adidas Messi 16.3 J
10. Vizari Striker FG
Rafael Perez is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Rochester. His primary focus is the metaphysics of time and the philosophy of mind, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence and antirepresentational models of the mind. He has extensive experience as a mechanic, a construction worker, and a general repairman. This has allowed him to gather a wealth of knowledge on automobile repair, auto parts, carpentry, masonry, welding, and the tools used in those trades. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, woodworking, and fishing.