Our best soccer cleats for strikers will help any old-school target guys, flashy false nines or out-of-fashion penalty box poachers level up their game.
That's because there's a vast range of awesome soccer cleats available right now, but not all might be suited to an attacker's game. Certain ranges are designed specifically to assist defenders, midfielders and strikers, helping to improve performance on the pitch.
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 out right now, be sure to check out our other reviews.
But right here it's all about the best soccer cleats for strikers...
The quick list
Adidas has created a cleat that is extremely lightweight with an ultra-thin upper to provide a great barefoot playing experience. They have a minimalist nature to them, ideal for fleet-footed forwards.
Skechers is a brand synonymous with comfort, and that's been carried over into their soccer cleats. But don't be fooled, they're still light and perform excellently while on the feet of forwards.
Comfortable, light and boasting the best upper on the market, the Phantom GX Elite has it all. The off-centred lacing system provides a cleaner surface area for shooting, too.
With an aggressive soleplate and stud pattern alongside a super-thin upper, the Mercurials are great for strikers playing on the shoulder of defenders and looking for balls in behind.
Rubber fins adorn the upper of the Predator Elite to provide a better control for shots and passing, with the foldover tongue presenting a larger, cleaner surface area as well.
Best lightweight
Adidas has created an incredible option in the speed category in the form of the X Crazyfast model, and the Crazyfast+ are great for direct strikers looking to cause defenders nightmares. An aggressive studplate is further enhanced through a plastic insert in the middle of the soleplate, making chopping and changing direction that little bit easier.
Of course, the most noticeable feature from the cleat, though, is just how lightweight they are. Providing a barefoot sensation, it's easy to manipulate the ball however you like in these, though that minimalism does come at the expense of some structure. So, if you're looking for a bit more structure, then the Adidas X Crazyfast.1 might actually be a better option.
Regardless, I enjoy lacing these up to wear on the field because the minimalist nature of them helps me simply focus on scoring and assisting goals.
- Read our full Adidas X Crazyfast+ review
Best for comfort
A brand new cleat that launched at the end of 2023, Skechers has entered the market with a bang – and an impressively well-designed cleat which is both responsive, comfortable and lightweight.
And while Harry Kane wears Skechers' flagship SKX_01 model, the Razors are better suited for strikers. A lighter cleat engineered for speedy players, strikers playing on the defender's shoulder will benefit best from the Skechers Razor, while they still provide a great level of comfort and protection often not seen on speed cleats.
Plus, they're also accommodating for players with wide feet, making them an ideal option for strikers of all variations.
- Read our full Skechers Razor review
Best overall
These cleats are my personal favorites at the moment and the best option on the market, in my opinion, and that's largely thanks to the brilliantly grippy upper. Nike's gripknit material offers extreme levels of grip that I've not seen on any other pair of cleats, helping dribbling, passing and shooting in such a pronounced way.
Plus, with an off-centred lacing system, the bulk of the upper on the Phantom GX Elite is left free and clean for strikes to be that little bit cleaner and sharper than if the laces were placed centrally. That's because the surface doesn't have any interferences.
They're also ideal for midfielders and defenders, highlighting just how versatile the cleats are. I'm a huge fan, despite a few slight grievances: the soleplate is slightly too flexible for my liking, not providing much feedback when trying to push off. Other than that, though, they're a great pair.
- Read our full Nike Phantom GX Elite review
Best for speed
Fleet-footed strikers will leave defenders trailing in their wake while wearing these, with the incredibly lightweight design further aided by Nike's air zoom unit in the soleplate to make them even more responsive during the acceleration phase.
Playing in the Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 feels like you're barefoot, with the thin upper barely acting as a barrier between your foot and the ball. Indeed, the true one-to-one sensation I had when playing in these was a unique experience, and not one many cleats have given me. I loved this when dribbling, because it felt like I had the ability to manipulate the ball whichever way I wanted.
My feet were truly locked in with the Superflys, too, thanks to the dynamic fit collar, though the low-cut Vapors are just as sound an option to choose. Considering how tightly they hug your feet, they're not the most suitable option for players with wide feet.
- Read our full Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 review
Best for shooting
For some strikers, lightweight cleats aren't essential. In fact, plenty of No.9s would prefer cleats that offer more protection, stability and control – and the Predator Elites are perfect for that.
The rubber elements on the upper help directing shots towards goal, while the tongue provides a clear surface for any strikes without laces getting in the way.
But don't be fooled, the latest Predators are the lightest version of the model ever, so these offer the best of both worlds. I got that classic Predator nostalgia during matches alongside some modern technology that felt like my game really improved on the field.
- Read our full Adidas Predator Elite review
How we test soccer cleats
Testing cleats is all about getting them on our feet and putting them to the limit in training sessions and matches, with our experienced testers wearing each pair a number of times to truly ascertain their performance levels.
This helps us learn what type of player certain cleats are better suited to, which ground they need to be worn on, and how they generally fit and feel while on feet. Of course, there isn't an exact science, but we go through as much detail as possible to figure out if that brand new technology is really worth the hype, or which cleat is ideal for strikers.
The reviews are honest, and we'd never recommend a pair that doesn't live up to what we expect from the options available right now.
How to choose the best soccer cleats
With the soccer cleat market often a minefield of marketing terminology trying to sell the best new technology, it can be a little overwhelming deciding on which soccer cleats are best. Fortunately, we've cut through all of this straight to the detail.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits you and your game. Despite that, there are certainly some factors you should focus on before parting with your hard earned cash...
Getting the right fit
Often finding a pair that fits like a glove can be a really arduous task, but it's something we'd highly recommend. Nobody likes getting blisters or having their toes squeezed too tightly by ill-fitting cleats, so taking time to try on a range of different pairs will be best in the long run.
That means we advise players go to the shop and actually try cleats on, rather than ordering online. This is because you can really get a feel for how they fit on feet - everyone's foot shape is unique, so not everyone will work well in certain cleats. Wider feet will struggle in narrow options on the market, while brands often vary in length regardless of the size.
Leather or synthetic
Players wanting an old-school feeling should choose leather, which has plenty of support and padding - as well as the ability to conform to your foot shape. That could come at the cost of sprinting away from defenders for strikers, though, with synthetic cleats generally a lot lighter and thin.
While this offers little in the way of protection, the cleats might be so light you'll evade any big challenges coming your way regardless.
Players looking for an in-between option are in luck, too, with mock leather materials providing the best of both worlds. They're not as bulky as leather cleats, not as lightweight as synthetic, but generally incorporate the best elements from the materials.
Styling
Right, so you've found out which cleats fit the best, whether you prefer leather or synthetic, and now is for the best part - getting the color and design you've set your eyes on.
With brands now making cleats in a range of different colorways, there are usually an array of options to choose from for the same style of cleat. From traditional black to bright pink, there's always something for everyone here.
Let your imagination and personality run wild!
