Whether you're a seasoned veteran, no-nonsense enforcer or ball-playing defensemen, you'll want to find the best soccer cleats for defender.
Having the right cleats can make a huge difference to a player's game, with certain ranges specifically designed to assist defenders, midfielders and attackers. I've been dedicating myself to categorising designs to make cleat shopping easier for you. If you're simply looking for the best soccer cleats out right now, be sure to check out our other reviews.
But here you'll find the best soccer cleats on the market right now for defenders...
Quick list
There's great balance between comfort from the leather, protection from the padding and agility from the soleplate on the Copa Pures that make them ideally suited for modern day defenders.
Once made from leather, Nike has taken the Tiempo model down the synthetic route - though it's by no means a disappointment. Mimicking the natural feel of leather, these offer the best of both worlds.
The construction quality of Mizuno cleats is arguably the best around, and the Morelia's are no different. Built from an incredible leather and with intricate detailing, they're truly some of the best. They are, however, fairly expensive in comparison.
The most iconic soccer cleat has been around for over 50 years, and is most commonly associated with brusing, old-school defenders. The padded leather also makes playing passes more comfortable, too.
The Lotto Stadio's thick, high-quality leather offers plenty of protection when going into challenges, while the soleplate being sewn to the upper makes them extremely durable and well-conditioned to life at the back.
With a low price point for high-quality cleats, the Nike Premier III offers great feeling on the ball with a natural kangaroo leather upper - as well as plenty of protection as a result. It's sturdy in all the right places.
Best overall
With subtle improvements that have built upon the foundations of an already solid cleat, the Copa Pure 2 are well-suited for defenders due to the more traditional style being a lot less restrictive than one-piece uppers that have become commonplace among the best soccer cleats.
The heel is also a lot more padded than is often seen with modern cleats, creating an option that is much more concerned with comfort than a lightweight speed cleat strikers might prefer wearing. I also found the upper being mostly comprised of leather adds to comfort levels – they fit like a glove after just a couple of wears. The quilting on the upper also provides some essential protection as a defender, helping keep any stepped on toes in tact.
However, with these more traditional aspects comes a little extra bulk. Compared to almost all of the pairs on offer on the market from the big brands, the Copa Pure 2 carries more weight and volume. That being said, if you are more concerned with a comfortable and adaptive fit, then this is a worthwhile trade-off.
But don't think this will impact your ability to keep up with quick and crafty attackers. The firm ground option for turf features rounded, headed and bladed base studs to allow comfortable pivoting alongside an extra bit of aggression when taking off. This balance is perfect for a defender with an upper that is made for comfort, while also adding requisite agility levels through the soleplate.
Best synthetic option
The Nike Tiempo has long been a favorite of defenders, and is the current cleat of choice for Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk, having previously been the long-time choice of Spain's legendary defenders: Sergio Ramos and Carlos Puyol. The latest generation, however, the Tiempo Legend 10, is missing a key element that the pairs worn by those legendary defenders: leather.
Nike has opted to move away from leather uppers on one of its most historic models. This is a major change and has also accompanied a shift in Nike’s positioning of the cleat, though it remains one of the better options for defenders on the market.
In the place of the kangaroo leather that has made up the upper of all of the previous elite Tiempo models is Flytouch Plus, a material made to recreate the fit and feel of natural leather. The new upper is soft and flexible enough to suit defenders who are primarily concerned with ease of wear rather than the raw speed on offer from more lightweight models.
The change in material has also brought a change in weight with the Tiempo Legend 10 being lighter than what we are used to from this model. They also feature a slightly sleeker build than previously seen and Nike has tweaked the marketing of the cleat to include technical midfield players such as Christian Eriksen and Jamal Musiala. Despite this, I still feel that the cleats retain an accommodating enough shape for players with wider feet. It remains Nike’s most traditional and stripped back option, and one that I believe is perfect for defenders who want a no-frills pair.
Best quality
If you're a defender needing comfort when buying a new pair of soccer cleats, then the Mizuno Morelia 2 Made in Japan is perhaps the very best option on the market available to you. The supreme quality of the kangaroo leather that makes up the upper, and the standard of all the materials used, create an experience quite unlike anything else offered by any other brands. Add to this the accommodating fit and the cushioning compared to many of the other alternatives and this cleat is ideal for a defender looking for a pair to suit their game.
I can honestly say that I didn’t realise it was possible for a pair of cleats to be as comfortable as the first time I put on a pair of Morelias. This is likely attractive to any player, but for a defender who perhaps places less stock in having the thinnest, lightest or highest tech cleats, this build quality and comfort is all the more appealing.
It is also interesting to note that the cleats are surprisingly light. A little extra weight is usually expected to be the trade-off when wearing a natural leather cleat of this shape, but there is not much difference between the Mizuno Morelia 2 and many of the speed cleats currently available. So, defenders (or any other players) can have a cleat that not only boasts all of the advantages of pairs from yesteryear without having to accept much excess weight or bulk.
Best for traditionalists
The old reliable. On any given weekend, defenders across the world can be seen wearing what is likely not their first (or last) pairs of the Adidas Copa Mundial. It is a cleat that provides all of the basics of a good soccer cleat in a simple and inexpensive package compared to many modern options. It is many of these more old-school simplicities that make them suited to defenders.
The upper of Copa Mundial is made up of plush kangaroo leather, as was common when they first released in 1979. While the leather is soft and able to conform to the fit of your feet, though, it can also overstretch over time and create an awkward fit. Plus, the padding provided by this leather and overall build of the Copa is representative of the era to which they originally belong where comfort and protection in cleats were higher priority than being lightweight making them many a defender's ideal cleat.
I am definitely a fan of the Copa Mundial, but its complete loyalty to tradition undoubtedly comes with drawbacks. Some alternatives in the market that offer the traditional fit and feel of the Mundial do have the advantage of offering some modern technology, particularly in the soleplate. The Copa Mundial is often cheaper than many other options, though, and has stuck around as such an impressive option for so long for a reason.
Best for protection
The Lotto Stadio is perhaps the most iconic model from the Italian brand, and this Made in Italy version is worth consideration for any defenders out there looking for a simple and traditional pair. One of the biggest compliments I can pay the Lotto Stadio Made in Italy is that it fits and feels very similarly to the Adidas Copa Mundial, but with a slightly better construction and better quality material.
The soleplate is also responsive, while the generous helping of natural leather makes the upper much more padded, and therefore more protective – a significant plus for defenders.
Another element of these cleats is the durability offered. The soleplate of the Lotto Stadio is both sewn to the upper and connected to it with rivets meaning separation is highly unlikely or will take a significant amount of wear. So, any no-nonsense players looking for a pair that will fit well, offer some protection, and that will last need look no further.
Best value for money
The Premier is a wide-fitting cleat with a two-piece construction and a folding tongue that is secured using Velcro but can also be cut off using scissors. This very classic look and fit is likely to appeal heavily to traditionalists – a group to which many defenders belong.
I loved that it's a comfortable cleat, with the mixture of the leather concentrated towards the forefoot and the soft synthetic in other areas creating a package that is perfectly-fitting straight out of the box - and even more so once broken in after a few wears. The soleplate prioritises comfort over raw speed in its flexibility and simplicity and the stripped back nature of the whole boot will mean that it is appealing to many defenders.
It's also a cheaper option that many of its counterparts, too, making them a low-cost option that refuses to compromise on quality or style.
How we test soccer cleats
In order to test each pair to its true potential, we put as many cleats as possible through their paces across several sessions. This helps us to determine their true level of performance in a range of key factors, including comfort, stability, fit and feel. With so many claims from brands about their newest features and technology, this helps us to balance what is said and what is true.
Each pair is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes soccer cleats – and who play a lot of games! They're able to cut straight to the crux of the detail through their experience as testers, providing simple yet detailed advice for players of all levels.
Factors that are important to consumers will be flagged through our in-depth knowledge of the market.
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...
Leather or synthetic
For defenders, the material of the upper is an extremely important thing to consider. Synthetic uppers are thinner and therefore more lightweight, but offer little in the way of protection. Conversely, leather is generally more comfortable and padded, but can sometimes be a bit bulky and reduce the feeling on the ball.
Most synthetic uppers will be slightly thinner and offer less padding than their natural leather counterparts. They will, though, offer a much closer connection to the ball with the thinnest synthetics providing a close to barefoot feel.
There is also the option of leather-imitating synthetics that represent a nice in between. These are often more lightweight than natural leather but come with much of the same comfort and pliability.
As a result, leather does seem the better option for defenders, because protection during heavy tackles can be the difference between injuries and safety.
Despite this, it does simply come down to personal preference. Defenders don't have to conform to the norm and opt for leather options – if they prefer a Nike Mercurial Superfly, then let's go!
Styling
This is the area where there is perhaps the greatest range with something for everyone. Most brands will offer pairs that are simpler and more traditional in look and also ones that are flashy and colorful.
Whatever your personality or preference, there are likely many pairs that complement it perfectly.
Getting the right fit
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.
