With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which soccer cleats are the most comfortable. Although most cleats are made to be comfortable, some still stand out above their peers in that category.
Every cleat on this list has been tested and surpasses the other cleats available in terms of comfort and fit. While this can be subjective, these are the ones currently on the market that I would choose.
The quicklist
If comfort is the defining factor when selecting your next cleats, it’s hard to overlook the Mizuno Morelia II. With smart use of high quality kangaroo leather and an eye-catching design, they’re a smart choice.
The adidas Copa Icon II, which saw its development mostly handed to the Japan design team for a complete overhaul, has emerged as a dark horse for boot of the year by offering excellent performance, superb custom fit via its deep lacing system, and minimal break-in time, all while being significantly cheaper than the Copa Pure 3.
The New Balance Furon V8, despite being a speed boot, is arguably the most comfortable on the market due to its super-soft, sock-like Hypoknit upper and excellent heel fit, offering a quick break-in and close touch, though its lateral stability is compromised by the flexible design.
The newest leather Predator Obsidian Strike surpasses the Roteiro edition by offering softer leather and a quicker break-in time due to thinner, more refined Strikezone elements, providing a unique, quality experience despite being expensive and having limited AG option availability.
The Nike Phantom 6 is considered the best Phantom model due to its soft, pliable Gripknit upper and comfortable, accommodating fit for various foot shapes, despite potential quality control issues with the heel and reservations about the Cyclone 360 soleplate.
The Adler Yatagarshu, a quality full kangaroo leather boot handmade in Japan, is arguably the best value on the market, offering a comfortable, modern fit with great lockdown and durability, despite minor flaws like an overly long sizing and a dated soleplate.
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An eco-friendly soccer clear designed for performance and durability. Made to be as sustainable as possible, it offers surprising comfort, excellent wet-weather grip, and a great ball touch. Its stud pattern also performs well on AG surfaces, and a boot recycling scheme provides a $20 discount.
Best overall
The newest Mizuno Morelia II Japan is probably the most comfortable boot on the market. The moment you put the boots on your feet they feel ready for matches.
Mizuno adding the suede lining has been a long requested feature among Morelia II lovers and it does an excellent job of gripping the sock. The lockdown is really good, with the zig-zag pattern of the Wave Lacing System doing an excellent job of keeping the foot locked into the boot.
At the same time, the lacing system is so deep that there is a ton of adjustability, and along with the softness of the leather means the boot can fit a majority of foot shapes and widths. The leather offers the brilliant almost barefoot sensation on the ball that makes it feel like a second skin.
Mizuno have also added their synthetic BareFoot Leather around the ankle in order to make sure the boot properly wraps around the ankle, leaving no gaps. It is also probably one of the most versatile boots on the market, where in Japan every single position on the pitch finds something that the Morelia II can offer them.
The Morelia II Japan may no longer be the unassailable king of comfort it once was (mostly due to the ridiculous pricing), but it is still the king.
Best value
The Adidas Copa Icon II has flown under the radar since it was released at the start of 2025.
While the original Copa Icon offered plenty of comfort, the performance was lacking, so Adidas made the wise decision to hand off around 90 per cent of the development to their Japan design team. They completely overhauled the fit, reworked the last, and changed up the entire material make-up of the cleat.
The cleats are a joy to play in. There is nothing that gets in the way of the feeling of the ball. The cleat has great stability in the midfoot and is surprisingly responsive, but it never feels as if your feet are being squeezed into it. The deep lacing system also means that you can make different sections of the cleat tighter or looser, depending on your individual needs.
The touch on the ball is also excellent. While the upper is not a kangaroo leather, it is still very soft, even from out of the box, to the point that the break-in time is minimal. We also cannot ignore the fact that the price is cheaper than other cleats on the market, including its older sibling the Copa Pure 3. In fact, while the Copa Pure 3 has nicer leather and more premium materials, in terms of pure comfort, it is not worth the extra £60. The Copa Icon II is a dark horse for the cleat of the year.
Best for touch
It may be surprising to see a speed cleat on a list of the most comfortable cleats, but hear me out.
The New Balance Furon V8 is the most comfortable speed cleat currently on the market. The Hypoknit material is really soft out of the box and the cleats break in quickly, while the upper is pliable enough that the cleat adjusts to your foot shape in very little time.
The heel has a nice fit that hugs the back of the foot without feeling overly tight. There is also plenty of cushioning, yet the lockdown is good. The touch on the ball is also super close because the knit upper is so thin. The off-center lacing system also means there is a massive surface area for striking the ball - for me, it is the closest thing we have to a sock-like fit and touch.
The soleplate is very responsive, except for the breaking stud, which feels pointless. The other downside of the Furon V8 is that the side-to-side stability suffers because the upper is so soft. Personally, I don't mind that as comfort takes priority over everything else and this cleat is just so comfortable, but it is something to be aware of.
It would be a stretch to call them slippers but the cleat repeatedly winds up in my matchday rotation because the combination of a super soft upper and snappy soleplate means I can get a lot of the performance of a speed cleat, without sacrificing comfort to do so.
Best for design
Sometimes you just can't beat a leather Predator. The iconic look and styling, the strike zone elements, the aura. And the newest leather Predator is no exception.
When Adidas released the Roteiro Predators last year, it was seen as the ultimate form of the Predator. However, the release of this year’s Predator Obsidian Strike showed that even that cleat could be surpassed. The new Predator FT Leather is softer out of the box and has a quicker break-in time than the previous generation. This is also partially down to the fact that the strike zone elements are thinner and feel more refined than previously. This means that less of the surface area of the leather is stiff because of the rubber striking elements.
What is frustrating, however, is that while there is an Artificial Ground option available, it is not easy to get in some markets. The heel could also use more padding, with a turn and stitch heel (the kind most top-level professionals have and offers more padding) being a better choice. The cleats are also expensive.
All of this being said, the Predator is an experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere on the current market. The leather really helps accentuate the fit and comfort of the cleats.
Best Nike
In my opinion, Nike’s Phantom 6 is the best Phantom Nike has released.
The Gripknit upper is a lot of fun to use and fortunately has been toned down on this newest model. Gripknit is one of the most remarkable materials on the market. It is soft, pliable, and has a short break-in period. This means that it does not take long for the Phantom 6 to feel comfortable around the foot.
Surprisingly, despite the shorter than normal lacing system, the cleat fits a wide variety of foot shapes. While the heel is comfortable, Nike’s quality control issues mean that you could get stuck with a poorly-shaped heel, as I was.
I am also not convinced by the Cyclone 360 soleplate, and I recommend the Artificial Ground soleplate even if you play on firm ground. Outside of that, though, the Phantom 6 is an enjoyable and comfortable cleat. The toebox is more rounded at the end and is also taller than previous editions, which means that the cleat does not feel like it is forcing your foot into a certain shape.
Best for quality
Still a relatively unknown quantity outside of hardcore cleat collectors, the Adler Yatagarashu has been quietly making waves since it was released in 2022.
Adler is a small brand with a long history based in Nara, Japan and has been in the same family since its inception. The Yatagarashu is a full kangaroo leather upper cleat but the shaping and fit are more modern in nature. The deep lacing system allows for a lot of adjustability and allows the cleat to fit all sorts of foot shapes. Despite its old-school look, the inclusion of KaRVO and a stiff midfoot shank means that it provides some nice springback, reminiscent of more modern styles.
The touch on the ball is very close thanks to the supple and thin leather. This soft leather also means that break-in time is minimal and the cleats feel match-ready quickly. I also appreciate the inclusion of an extra lacehole at the top which allows you to do a runner’s loop to get more heel lockdown.
The cleat is high quality, thanks to the fact that it is handmade and only produced in small batches. The stitched outsole to the upper helps make the durability one of the best on the market. My first pair lasted around two and a half years. It is recommended that you go a full size down when ordering as the cleats fit about a size long. Among other issues (besides getting hit with import taxes), the heel could do with being taller, while the soleplate is too old school and desperately needs an upgrade. There is also not much stability through the sides of the midfoot because of the softness of the upper.
Outside of these issues, the Adler Yatagarashu is easily the best for the money on the market, and is always in my bag for wherever, whatever.
Best eco friendly
If you are looking for something not only a bit different, but also more environmentally friendly, the Sokito Devista is a no-brainer.
From the very beginning, the cleat has been designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. At the same time, though, it is also comfortable and offers a better performance than its look suggests. The cleats do well in the wet especially, with the upper having a slight stickiness to it. The toebox has some nice cushioning yet is still thin enough to have a good touch on the ball.
Perhaps most impressive is the durability - my initial pair lasted me close to two years. I also have to point out that while there is no dedicated Artificial Ground option, it does well on artificial surfaces. This is partially down to the majority of the studs being rounded and shorter than most Firm Ground molded cleats on the market. For comfort, it takes slightly longer than other cleats on this list to break in, but the Devista still gets comfortable pretty quickly. The midfoot also has some nice side-to-side stability and helps stop the foot from rolling over awkwardly during play.
Lastly, I have to mention the cleat recycling scheme. If you send Sokito any cleats, in any condition, you will get £20 off a new pair. It helps your wallet and helps keep a pair of cleats out of the bin.
How we test soccer cleats
While playing in as many training sessions and matches we physically can, we test each cleat thoroughly and extensively to uncover the true performance level each of them provide. There are a range of different factors we consider during testing, with our main considerations focusing on stability, fit, feel and, of course, comfort.
This helps to balance the claims from brands and what we truly feel on our feet, separating the marketing jargon from the reality.
Each pair is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes soccer cleats – and who play a lot of games! As experienced testers, they cut straight to the detail, providing simple yet comprehensive advice for players of all levels on what might suit them best.
How to choose the best 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...
Soleplate
Soleplates can often be a dealbreaker in comfort levels, because often super-light cleats forego any extra padding that could help to alleviate pressure on your foot. Therefore, finding cleats that are structurally sound underfoot is of paramount importance, and can sometimes be the difference between you developing blisters during games or not.
The surface you use your cleats on can have an impact on comfortability, too. Soft ground cleats won't sink far enough into firm ground surface, creating large stud pressure and discomfort underfoot. So always purchase a pair that suits the surface you play on most often.
Getting the right fit
It's no use buying a pair of soccer cleats only to find they don't fit correctly - especially when you want ones that are super-comfortable on feet.
That's why we'd always recommend going to a local store and trying as many pairs on as possible, in order to ascertain your true size in a range of different models, from a wide variety of brands. Each manufacturer is different, and so therefore sizes vary wildly. What might fit you in a size 9 in Adidas might be completely different to what Nike cleats fit like, so always be safe and try pairs on before committing.
Styling
Once you've decided everything else mentioned above, now is the time for you to express yourself as a player. Models are released in a plethora of new colorways these days, meaning there's no issue of finding a style you like best. Sure, another model might have the perfect colorway, but if they don't fit or aren't comfortable, then they're no use to you.
Best Soccer Cleats For Comfort: FAQs
What are the most comfortable soccer boots?
Our guide to the best soccer cleats for comfort outlines the most comfortable soccer cleats on the market, but the most comfortable pair comes down to your personal preference. If you're looking for comfort, it's important to get the right size soccer cleat for your foot and it's crucial to look at the materials used.
For example, if you're looking for the most comfortable pair while touching the ball, you'll want to consider the New Balance Furon Elite V8, as they require no break-in time and have a flexible upper. If you're looking for the most comfortable overall, then we think you should consider the Mizuno Morelia II Made In Japan, thanks to its Kangaroo leather, accommodating fit and cushioned design.
Why do my feet hurt when I wear soccer cleats?
There's no one answer for why this might be the case. You have to consider the sizing of your soccer cleats. If your cleats are too big, your foot may slide around inside the boot, and, if they're too small, then the feel of the cleat will be extra tight and will cause discomfort.
You should also consider the materials used in your soccer cleats. While it's not always the case, cheaper boots can be made with cheaper materials and are therefore less comfortable. We recommend checking out what you buy before purchasing and reading through our recommendations above.
The issue of your feet hurting when you wear soccer cleats could also come down to the type of cleats you're wearing. If you're wearing cleats for soft ground or field grass on artificial turf or firm ground, there could be less give in the ground and therefore the cleats aren't able to break through the surface of the ground, causing discomfort.
What are the top five soccer cleats?
If you want to check out the best soccer cleats on the market, then you should check out our guide. In short, though, we think the best soccer cleats around right now are the Nike Phantom 6, Adidas Copa Pure 3 Elite, Skechers SKX 2, Mizuno Alpha 2 and New Balance Furon V8.
How to make soccer cleats more comfortable?
There are several things you can do to make your soccer cleats more comfortable. You will need to make sure your cleats are the right size and you're wearing suitable footwear for the ground type you're playing on. It might even be as simple as breaking your cleats in, which is just a case of wearing them a few times, whether that's in training or a match situation.
You can also try adding the best football boot insoles to your soccer cleats, which will add extra cushioning to the underside of your foot, making them more comfortable. You can also try wearing the best grip socks to secure your foot within your boot, to make them more comfortable.
