Finding the best soccer cleats for midfielders is essential to perform at the top of your game in the centre of the field. Whether you're a Roy Keane-esque destroyer or a midfield maestro a la Kevin De Bruyne, having the best pair of cleats on your feet can really enhance your performance.
With certain ranges specifically designed to assist goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, strikers, FFT has been dedicating itself to categorising each individual cleat to help you choose the perfect option for gameday. If you're simply looking for the best soccer cleats out right now, be sure to check out our other reviews, too.
But here you'll find the best soccer cleats on the market right now for midfielders...
The quick list
Nike's Gripknit upper is my favourite of any boot on the market, and it's used in abundance on the Phantom GX. This offers an unrivalled feel on the ball, helping with dribbling and passing.
With rubber, textured elements littered on the upper, the latest iteration of the Adidas Predator makes expert passers even better at finding their targets on a consistent basis.
Comfortable throughout and sturdy in the forefoot, the Puma Future 7 Ultimate ensures that covering the pitch is made all the more easy. The stud configuration offers great traction, too.
With aggressive bladed studs on the side of the soleplate and conical studs in traditional spots, twisting, turning and cutting direction improves even the most agile of skillful players.
Leather uppers are hard to come by in the modern day, but fortunately the Copa Pure 2+ Elite maintain the classic feel. What's great, though, is that plenty of modern elements are also incorporated as part of a hybrid feel.
Though now comprised of a synthetic, rather than leather, upper, the Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Elite are still cushioned and solid - great for midfielders looking for slightly more protection.
Best for grip
Nike has created a cleat that is one of the most innovative (and best) cleats on the market right now, with the sticky Gripknit upper offering an incredible level of grip on the ball. Forming the entirety of the upper, the texturing is instantly recognizable when touched, while in wet conditions the feature is even more noticeable while on foot.
Requiring little break-in time, the Phantom GX Elite is also immediately comfortable thanks to the pliable upper being extremely soft, too. Playmakers will certainly flourish in these cleats, with the agile soleplate also stable enough to allow midfielders to make incisive passes and line-breaking runs throughout games. I especially loved the freedom of movement these provided.
What does fall down on the Nike Phantom GX, though, is the lack of protection they offer in the heel area. So if you constantly find yourself skipping away from opponents around the centre circle, be mindful that you could be vulnerable to challenges from clumsy opposition players.
- Read our full Nike Phantom GX Elite review
Best for passing
A guide for the best soccer cleats for midfielders wouldn't be complete without a pair of Adidas Predators included – and it just so happens the latest model is arguably the brand's greatest yet.
Though the classic leather has been ditched on the Predator in recent years, these still retain that heritage and iconic look that made me fall in love with the cleats all those years ago. The classic fold-over tongue certainly helps, but it's the rubber striking elements that makes these perfect for midfielders.
Called 'Strikeskin', Adidas has retained the rubber fins synonymous with the Predator, and these certainly offer an extra element of grip we've all become accustomed to with the Predator range, helping with passing and striking. Ideal for midfielders looking to spray balls 40 yards as well as retain possession through shorter passes, the Adidas Predator Elite also has a lightweight design that makes them perfect when compared to the best soccer cleats around, too.
- Read our full Adidas Predator Elite review
Best for running box-to-box
Puma has delivered a brilliant upgrade on the Future model with the Future 7 Ultimate, with the cleat offering superior levels of flexibility, comfort and grip on the ball than its predecessor. These elements all make them perfect for creative midfielders looking to skip away from opponents, while the soleplate's unique design allows box-to-box players to run for days.
Sturdy in the midfoot and flexible in the forefoot, the Puma Future 7 Ultimate complement the natural movements of your feet. Plus, the combination of bladed and diamond shaped studs provides a little more traction when pushing off – great for midfielders who are looking to start counter-attacks as well as limit chances for the opposition.
Fitting fairly wide, I found that these cleats are perfect for players with wide feet, while the upper being made from Puma's Fuzionfit360 material means they'll stretch slightly over time due to how soft and pliable they are.
- Read our full Puma Future 7 Ultimate review
Best for playmakers
Offering a true one-to-one sensation with soccer cleat and ball, the Tekela V4+ Pro Low allows playmakers a minimalist barrier to manipulate passes and dribble to the best of their ability. Alongside that, there's still a noticeable texturing that provides an element of grip on the upper to help midfielders have a little more control when in possession.
One of the most comfortable options out of the best soccer cleats available, New Balance's hypoknit material is extremely soft, flexible and all-round a great option, too. Plus, they suit those with wide feet.
I personally love wearing these boots when playing in the centre of the park, and they're certainly a great alternative to what the big players, like Nike and Adidas, produce year after year.
- Read our full New Balance Tekela V4+ Pro Low review
Best leather
A solid, no-frills cleat that appeals to a midfielder wanting a more traditional cleat underfoot. The soleplate features rounded headed and bladed bottom studs, helping with both rotational movements and gaining traction on the field, but the upper is where traditionalists will really take notice.
Split between calfskin leather and a synthetic material, the upper features a generous amount of padding and protection that is perfect for midfielders crunching into tackles on a regular basis. The leather also provides a plush touch on the ball while also contributing to a comfortable feel.
One thing that must be noted about the Copa Pure, however, is the bulkiness around the heel area, which has been reinforced from the previous model to add more protection and structure to the cleat.
- Read our full Adidas Copa Pure 2.1 review
Best for traditionalists
Offering a cushioned touch on the ball through padding in the synthetic material, the Tiempo Legend 10 still ensures each touch and pass is under control – despite the cleat not being made from leather anymore.
A more traditional design means these are great for players with wide feet, but that doesn't mean there's any extra bulk on the cleat. More modern and up-to-date, they might not be great for speedy strikers, but those in the middle of the pitch could find great joy playing in the Tiempos.
Defensive-minded players and midfielders could benefit mostly from these, because I definitely found I had more protection when launching myself into tackles. Saying that, the Tiempos didn't diminish my playmaking abilities, because my touch on the ball was a lot more natural. Without any adaptation period necessary, those wanting a slightly more traditional design without any extra elements might find these the perfect cleats.
How we test soccer cleats
We test as many cleats as possible over as many training sessions and matches that we can fit in to determine the true performance of each individual option available on the market. While testing, we consider a reange of different key factors to provide a true level of performance. These include: comfort, stability, fit and feet. Of course, this guide is for midfielders, so how well the cleats work when striking and passing the ball is certainly at the forefront of our testing minds.
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
There's such an array of options in the soccer cleat market, that selecting the right pair can often prove a minefield. Each brand champions their latest technology as being the best around, though that's not always the case. Taking each claim with a pinch of salt, therefore, is of paramount importance.
Ultimately, making your choice comes down to personal preference. The main consideration has to be whether you enjoy playing in a particular pair of cleats, though there are a range of other factors that should be front and centre of mind when looking for your next pair...
Getting the right fit
In our opinion, this is the most important factor to consider. You could well have found the cleats of your dreams, with the style and design offering everything you ever wanted. However, if they don't fit right, then they're no use.
You might have narrow feet, so a slightly wider option doesn't, and vice versa. Blisters, feet slippage and a poor feeling for the ball are no fun for anyone, so take careful consideration at this stage.
We would always recmmomend trying a pair on before buying, otherwise you run the risk of ruining your performance just because you found a pair online that you liked the look of. Plus, brands often vary slightly in length, despite the same size being advertised, so it's 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.
Styling
Once you've found the right fitting soccer cleats, there will undoubtedly be a range of colorways and styles available on the market. This is where players can truly come to express themselves, with the majority of brands offering colors that are both simple and flashy for the exact same pair.
Leather or synthetic
For midfielders, 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. Midfielders don't have to conform to the norm and opt for leather options – if they prefer a Nike Mercurial Superfly, then let's go!
