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Best soccer cleats.
Why trust us
Soccer requires a lot of aggression, speed, and brute force. Because of this, it is seen as a largely masculine sport. As a result, many soccer cleats are designed primarily for men.
Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour never cease to try to outdo each other with every soccer cleat that they release. Which one to get?
To make decision-making a lot easier, we assessed almost 250 pairs of soccer cleats for men. Our top picks are presented in this article.
How we test soccer cleats
Add a product:
- Base our comments and eventual assessments only on actual usage in real soccer games
- Buy the soccer cleats using our own funds to avoid gratitude-induced bias
- Get the opinions of other testers
Aside from the qualitative reports, we also calculate and present a weighted rating called the CoreScore for each shoe. The score is based on the reviews coming from soccer players of varying backgrounds, levels of expertise, and playing styles.
Best men's soccer cleats overall
Nike React Gato
91
Superb!
What makes it the best?
Still relevant even after its release decades ago, the Nike React Gato lives up to its name. The durability of this soccer cleat has been highly regarded. As far as comfort is concerned, the purchasers were satisfied with how soft the soccer cleats are after breaking them in. Football players find this soccer cleat a good pair given its durability, traction, and comfort.
Pros
- Superb comfort
- Bang for the buck
- Durable build
- Comfortable for playing soccer
- Great overall look
- Superb comfort
- Not padded enough for some
- Fits true to size
- Best for turf
Cons
- Heavy outsole
- Bang for the buck
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$60
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$67
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$75
Adidas
Free shipping and returns
$90
Best indoor soccer shoes for men
Best for soft ground
84
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Best for soft ground was a much-anticipated pair, especially by avid fans of the Gato line. More than just a comeback cleat, the pair also makes soccer cleat history as it pushes for innovation. The pair features three technologies: Nike Touch 360, Nike Flyknit, and Nike React. These resulted in a comfortable cleat that delivers good traction and ball control, especially for the indoor game.
Pros
- Superb comfort
- Good cushioning
- No-frills touch on the ball
- Great traction
- Durable build
- Decent traction and grip
- Perfect for quick cuts and sharp movements
- Protects feet
- Versatile style
- Light
Cons
- Limited colorways
- Not great for wide feet
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Nike
$120
Amazon
Free shipping
$150
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Best men's soccer cleats for firm ground
Nike Gripknit Phantom GX Elite FG
86
Great!
What makes it the best?
As an elite model, the Gripknit Phantom GX Elite Firm Ground can really cost a lot. Fortunately, it delivers a lot as well. Soccer clears will not be left wanting more when it comes to performance. You can think of this as an investment, and you can expect big returns with every use.
Pros
- Amazing grip on firm grounds
- Best soccer cleats
- Shoe is of high quality
- Stable on any pitch
- Maintaining our objectivity when making our top picks is important. Hence, we do the following
- Nice snug fit
- Nike React Gato
- Get the opinions of other testers
- Pretty nice looks
Cons
- Not padded enough for some
- Quite expensive
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Nike
$250
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best men's soccer cleats for turf
Dependable foot containment
85
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Dependable foot containment shoe proves to be one reliable shoe on the soccer field. Ticking the boxes for comfort, style, and most importantly price, one is far from holding the short end of the stick when wearing this pair. There are reported sizing issues, but they are far from being a major concern as they can be easily remedied.
Pros
- Great grip for indoor courts
- Comfortable sensation
- Not padded enough for some
- Excellent fit
- Excellent traction
- Decent traction and grip
Cons
- Sizing issue
- No-frills touch on the ball
Best soft ground soccer cleats for men
Nike Gripknit Phantom GX Elite FG
86
Great!
What makes it the best?
Primed for performance and comfort, the Nike Gripknit Phantom GX Elite FG steals footballers' interest. Many attest to the fine quality of its leather upper that hugs snugly around the foot and its protective build doesn't come short on comfort. Football players find this cleat performing well on the soft ground pitch.
Pros
- Aesthetically appealing
- Improves ball touch
- Superb comfort
- Great support
- Stable on any pitch
- Durable build
- Light
- Extremely comfortable all-around feel
- Made of kangaroo leather
Cons
- Why trust us
- Questionable durability
Today's best price
Unisex
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$160
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best value soccer cleats for men
Nike Gripknit Phantom GX Elite FG
86
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Three Stripes adds another lethal cleat to their roster. The Adidas Copa 20.3 firm ground proves its salt in the soccer field. This Copa model delivers a snug, sock-like fit to its wearers. The premium leather with grooves ensures ball touch and control. The TPU outsole, with its stud configuration, takes care of traction and grip in firm ground courts.
Pros
- Great overall quality
- Well-liked leather upper
- Bang for the buck
- Snug fit
- Comfortable for playing soccer
- Great grip for indoor courts
- Decent traction and grip
- Lightweight
Cons
- Hurts feet
- Bulky
- Not flexible
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$44
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Most popular soccer cleats for men
Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite FG
86
Great!
What makes it the most popular?
Like the ones before it, the Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite FG easily pleases soccer players with its clever innovations and advanced techs. It's quite pricey as an Elite model, but it delivers on aspects that matter the most when it comes to performance on the pitch. If you are serious about soccer, this cleat won't be a disappointment.
Pros
- Very nice feel underfoot
- Slightly wider structure
- Great overall look
- Comfortable upper
- Nice snug fit
- Slightly wider structure
- Incredibly lightweight
- Ready for all weather conditions
Cons
- Too expensive
- No significant performance uptick
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Nike
$234
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Comparison of the 7 best soccer cleats for men
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