If you want the best Nike soccer cleats or fancy emulating heroes including Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland, you'll want to take a gander at these beauties.
Having the right cleats can make a huge difference to a player's game, with certain Nike ranges specifically designed to assist defenders, midfielders and strikers. FFT has been dedicating itself to categorising designs to make cleat shopping easier for you. If you're simply looking for the best soccer cleats of any and all manufacturers (including Adidas, Puma, Umbro and New Balance), be sure to check out our other reviews.
But here you'll find the best Nike soccer cleats on the market right now...
The quick list
The grippy upper works brilliantly, with touches on the ball enhanced through the Gripknit. This is my personal favorite cleat from 2023, and works for pretty much every player.
Built for speed, the Mercurial Superflys are extremely light with a super-thin upper to provide a barefoot sensation. The soleplate is extremely aggressive, too.
With a 360-degree stud configuration, these cleats are designed to work better with female players by reducing pressure in specific areas and providing support where necessary, too.
While the Tiempo Legend is now made of a synthetic upper, they still providing great cushioning, comfort and protection during games. The soleplate is great to use as well.
Constructed by a plush leather and with a durable soleplate, the Premier III are perfect for those seeking a more traditional feel to their cleats. They're also a cheaper option than other elite options.
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Best overall
With Nike's Gripknit technology, the Phantom GX Elite's upper has a gritty, waxy texture which provides enhanced grip when making contact with the ball. On top of that, they're also extremely comfortable, helping them stand out from the rest of the other best soccer cleats on the market.
The soft and pliable upper means they're ready to wear straight out of the box, while the Phantom GX are also suitable for players of all foot types – meaning those with wide feet don't need to worry about these hugging their feet too tightly.
However, the one area in which this cleat is perhaps lacking is the soleplate. Though good traction is offered, the soleplate doesn't have the snappiness that could provide it with some energy return. Lockdown can also be a bit of an issue, and some players with narrower feet may experience heel slippage.
- Read our full Nike Phantom GX Elite review
Best lightweight
Aside from looking drop-dead gorgeous, in my opinion at least, the Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 is among the lightest cleats on the market and offer unbeatable traction – making them ideal for speedy attacking players. The almost sticky skin on the upper is designed to assist with your touch, passing and shooting, while also offering decent protection.
Indeed, with the introduction of Nike’s Air Zoom technology, pushing off into sprints is made a whole lot easier, with the unit providing more energy return. On top of that, the stud configuration is particularly aggressive, ideal for attacking players wanting to sprint away from opposing defenders.
This is arguably the best soccer cleat ever made.
- Read our full Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 review
Best for women
Designed with women at the forefront of thinking, the Phantom Luna features a cyclone 360-degree stud configuration to make pivoting easier and less strenuous on the knees, therefore helping to reduce the risk of injuries among women's players.
Despite that, the cleat is still unisex, with men's players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Aurelien Tchouameni donning these on the field. A solid option, the Luna does fit a little narrower due to being made specifically for women.
It's cushioned throughout and well-built meaning the Phantom Luna is a solid option, fitting snuggly to offer a great amount of lockdown and all-round responsive feel. The Gripknit and micro-moulding texturing on the upper provide better grip on the ball, making striking feel very true and natural.
Best for comfort
Nike replaced the kangaroo leather synonymous on the Tiempo Legend line with a synthetic leather for the 10th generation of the cleat, meaning the upper is thinner, won't overstretch and doesn't absorb water in the same way.
While this is a slight shame, Nike has focussed on making the cleat more modern – and the brand has achieved that. The thinner upper allows for a closer barefoot feel for the ball, with microdots on the upper further enhancing touch. Memory foam pods also provide comfort and padding on the upper, making it comfortable throughout.
And the soleplate offers aggressive traction, though there's still plenty of comfort with the fully flexible heel area and suede lining.
Providing a traditional, quality feeling soccer cleat on a budget, the Nike Premier 3 keeps things plain and simple, though there aren't any innovative bits of technology to see here. With kangaroo leather and a no-frills soleplate, the Nike Premier 3 is perfect for players with wide feet, while they're extremely comfortable, too.
Uniquely, the cleat comes with a fold-over tongue which you don’t see from modern soccer cleats – aside from the Adidas Predator Elite – but there are dotted guidelines that provide the option for those who aren’t fans of the fold-over tongue to it cut off. The conical studs make it a great option for firm ground and suitable for 4G pitches.
Pound-for-pound the Premier III might be the best soccer cleats out there if you’re on a budget.
How we test soccer cleats
Each pair is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes soccer cleats. They're able to cut through the marketing minefield to the core positives and negatives of each cleat, providing simple yet detailed advice for all players regardless of level.
In depth knowledge of the market means that factors that are important to consumers are highlighted and presented in as clear a way as possible.
Each pair is put through its paces for several sessions across a range of different surfaces, helping determine their true level of performance. Factors that are considered include comfort, stability, fit and feel.
How to choose the right pair of soccer cleats
The soccer cleat market can be a bit of a minefield at the best of times, with an array of options available and brands championing the latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and never miscontrolling a ball ever again.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits you and your game. Below are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...
Sizing
We would always recommend trying a pair before buying because making sure your cleats are the perfect length and width is key.
Pairs of the same size often vary slightly in length between brands and across models, so it important to try a pair on in order to know whether it is better to go a half-size up or down for a particular pair or brand.
Foot shape is highly personal so consider the shape of your feet when looking for a pair. Some cleats are very narrow so will not suit anyone with wide feet and likewise very wide fitting pairs can sometimes feel slightly awkward for those with especially narrow feet.
This is especially important if considering a pair of laceless cleats as the lack of laces means there is very little adaptability – they will either work for your feet or they won’t.
Leather or synthetic
The majority of soccer cleats are now made from synthetic materials, but, as previously mentioned, some are leather-imitating - and the Nike Premier 3 is a traditional K-leather option available.
Leather can be the best option for players whose feet require more space or shaping, with synthetic generally tighter and more likely to hug your feet. Leather also has a lot more padding and comfort in the upper, with synthetic offering a barefoot sensation due to the thin material.
Styling
Once you've found the right pair that fits you, your preferred material, and the best feeling cleat, the rest is up to you. Here, you can let your personality on the field shine with whatever colorway you fancy.
Indeed, brands release each model in a range of different colorways nowadays, meaning there's always an option available for everyone - regardless of your preferences. So let your imagination run wild!
