Best soccer cleats 2024

Looking for the best soccer cleats in 2024? Look no further: we've reviewed the latest releases from Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance and more.

With so many soccer cleats on the market right now, it's important to know what you're looking for. Cleats are now tailor-made for specific roles on the field – whether you're looking for cleats for strikers or cleats for defenders – but also for specific players, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and even Liverpool's Harvey Elliott with trademark cleats of their own. 

Whether you'd like something comfy for your weekly five-a-side or you take soccer cleats a little more seriously and need a pair of the greatest soccer cleats of all time, we've got your back… well your feet, of course.

FFT's designated cleats expert

FFT's designated cleats expert

Lolade Jinadu

A soccer jersey and cleat aficionado, Lolade Jinadu has over 40,000 followers on Instagram and a vast collection of soccer cleats. With all kinds of equipment ranging from retro to brand-new releases and one-off special edition cleats, Lolade has tested hundreds of soccer cleats over the years from a range of brands, and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the market. 

Let's cut to the chase, here: this is the rundown of the best soccer cleats that you can currently buy.

The best soccer cleats in 2024

The quick list

Best overall

Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Rodri, Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne can be seen taking it in turns to torment opposition defenders with the GX on their feet. They are one of the best-looking cleats of the year and these have all the hallmarks of a future classic.

The Phantom GX boasts arguably the best piece of innovation in the boot market of 2023 with its sticky Gripknit upper geared towards greater control of the ball. The soleplate is excellent, combining agility and stability in a way that allows the craftsmen among us to flourish.

Best for goalkeepers

New Balance have recently added Brazilian wonderkid Endrick to their roster and these are the cleats he will be lacing up in. The future seems bright for both. 

In 2023, New Balance released a low and laced version of the Tekela V4 Pro – and this has all of the quality of the laceless with the added adjustability and lockdown that comes with laces.

Once the problem child of the New Balance selection, the V4 Pro the Tekela has finally come of age. If you are looking for a laceless soccer cleat then these should be near the top of your list. After years of attemping to muscle into the old boy’s club of established cleat brands, with its current selection it looks like New Balance has not only joined the club but is on the verge of a lifetime membership.

The hypoknit upper is as soft and flexible as anything out there. The lockdown of the laceless system almost makes you feel like you aren’t wearing any cleats at all. 

Best for defenders

In anticipation of the release of the Tiempo Legend 10, Nike released a limited-edition remake of the CTR 360 Maestri with the Legend 10 featuring an updated version of the Kanga-Lite upper of the now iconic CTRs. Think prime Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. If you remember how good those felt, then you might want to take a look at these.

2023 was the year Nike transitioned from natural leather to a synthetic upper for its Tiempo line. Don’t let that deter you though because the cleat retains all of the comfort and touch that we have come to expect from one the most iconic models in the game.

They say the originals are always the best, and if you are the ‘they’ in question looking for a pair of soccer cleats then you might like the Diadora Brasil. The Brasil is simply the most iconic model from an iconic brand. In the days when Serie A was king earlier versions of these could be seen on the feet of icons like Filippo Inzaghi, Marco Van Basten and George Weah – and if it’s good enough for those icons…

It features a full leather upper and a stylish, minimalistic design that keeps you up to date while also making sure that everyone knows you are fully aware that boots were better in the 90s. 

Best for midfielders

The Predator is perhaps the most iconic cleat model in all of soccer and brings to mind some of the biggest names to ever play the sport such as Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Alessandro Del Piero and Steven Gerrard. With the Accuracy, Adidas have managed to capture some of Predator heritage and put it into an extremely modern boot.

The Hybridtouch material gives the cleat a more padded feel compared to most modern offerings and so offers ever-so-slightly more protection than most cleats currently on the market without any excess bulk. 

The lockdown on the Predator Accuracy is good – but the major drawback with this and any laceless cleat is the absence of the adjustability that comes with laces. The Accuracy is, though, a lot less narrow than many modern cleat. 

The low and laced version of the Accuracy is one that is likelier to appeal to Predator traditionalists than its laceless counterpart. This is an addition to the storied history of the Predator that stands up to scrutiny and is well worth a place in anyone’s matchday bag.

This is a cleat that masterfully combines traditionalism with modern technology to create a great wearing experience. The hybridtouch upper is made to mimic the feel of natural leather and does a great job in replicating some of the comfort of a leather cleat. The rubber elements that are synonymous with the Predator line are here and are grippy enough to have a genuine impact on the ball.

The Puma King has a legitimate claim to being the model to have been worn by the greatest players. Johan Cruyff, Pele and Diego Maradona all rewrote history while wearing a pair of Puma Kings. 

The modern Puma King is a very different cleat to the ones worn by those legends but in the King Ultimate Puma have a cleat that strikes a lot of the right notes. It is the first King to feature a synthetic upper – one that Puma is calling K-Better. K-Better is soft, pliable and stretchy so does the job of replicating the leather the brand has left behind as well as one can expect.

The supremely talented Xavi Simons steps onto the pitch in these and this epitomises Puma’s attempts to bring the cleat forward into the next generation. On the evidence of the Puma King Platinum, they may well be successful in this aim.

Adidas have since released an updated version of the Copa Pure making these the previous generation. Therefore, they represent a unique opportunity to buy a cleat that came out in 2023 but at the price of an older model.

The modern take on the classic Copa, the Copa Pure is made up of a part leather, part synthetic fusion and is reserved for the most creative players that the 3 stripes has to offer. The laceless construction added to the minimalistic design gives these cleats a wonderfully clean look. 

Best for strikers

The Nike Mercurial Superfly IX cleat is the latest in a range that has been going for 25 years – and the newest model remains true to the original. The Mercurial line is consistently one of the best looking available and these are certainly no exception.

The extremely lightweight vaporposite and lovely grippy texture on the upper makes the Mercurials tough to beat – as usual.

The Nike Mercurial Vapor is one of the most instantly recognizable models in the market with the Vapor 15 elite the cleat sticks to its core principles with the added effect of an air zoom unit in the soleplate for an extra spring in your step. 

The soleplate offers perhaps the best traction of any pair available in 2023 and the cleats continues to lead the way in terms of design. These have all of the lightness, aggression and sleekness that you’d expect from a Vapor and that make it the choice of some of the most explosive players in the game.

Best for wide feet

Adidas took the rather unusual step of releasing a new model of the Copa Pure in the same year as it was released but after wearing the Copa Pure 2 it doesn’t take long to conclude that this choice was justified. 

These are the perfect blend of innovation and simplicity. The calf leather that covers the forefoot is wonderfully plush and offers a level of padding that is rare in the modern boot market. 

The no frills soleplate is stable and flexible and provides the base for the creators that the cleat is aimed at to go to work. This is a modern Copa that knows its roots and would probably get the seal of approval from your dad if he ever gave them the chance. 

Best for women

The Nike Phantom Luna is a cleat that is significant in that it is the first released by the brand designed for women (while also being suitable for men). 

The 360 cyclone soleplate is built to aid rotational traction to combat the increased tendency for serious knee injuries in the women’s game. Add all of this to a comfortable flyknit upper a great design and you get a cleat that is a great option for those who want to try something new but still want to stick with the most tried and trusted brand out there.

Best for speed

The X Crazyfast+ is a cleat that ticks virtually every box for one in the ‘speed’ category. One would expect nothing less from the pair of choice for Mo Salah and Ousmane Dembele. 

The upper is so thin that it is translucent in parts and leaves you feeling totally unburdened as you canter across the ground. Not since the school yard has anyone thought their footwear would actually make them faster but if there ever was a pair that could, it might be these.

The slightly bladed studs on the soleplate also provide the traction craved by the game’s speedsters. 

The brand has slowly crept further into mainstream consciousness is recent years aided in no small part to partnering with Sergio Ramos – who can now be seen wreaking havoc all over Spain and in Europe with Sevilla in a pair of Mizuno Alphas.

The Mizuno Alpha MIJ is the latest speed cleat released by the Japanese brand and reaches the extremely high levels that have come to be expected from them. The upper is about as comfortable as it gets from a synthetic material and still manages to be extremely lightweight.

From a brand with the richest of heritage comes a modern speed cleat - these definitely aren’t the Diadoras that Gary Neville and Roy Keane wore in their playing days for Manchester United. 

The Veloce SL is an evolution of the brand’s most iconic cleat, the Diadora Brasil, and features a mixed upper of leather in the forefoot and a synthetic material in the mid foot and towards the heel.

The result is a comfortable and lightweight cleat that Roberto Baggio wishes he could’ve worn in his prime… probably.

The fact that Anthony Gordon was still seeing wearing this previous generation speed model from Adidas until recently is an indication of its enduring quality.

The comfort in the heel provided by the plush cushioning is hard to beat is part of what makes them still a viable option. The price of the Speedportal has also dropped as various colorways of newer models have released – making these a cost-effective choice. 

New Balance continue to grow from strength to strength and the Furon is now widely recognized as one of the best cleats of its type available. The hypoknit upper that is used here and on New Balance’s other main cleat is as soft and flexible as you’ll find anywhere and makes these a pleasure to wear. 

The shoes may or may not maketh the man but it certainly doesn’t hurt Bukayo Saka and Ebere Eze to have these on their feet while they dance past opposition defenders. 

As far as first attempts go, Skechers have absolutely nailed it with their first ever speed cleat. It’s not surprising that a brand so well known for making ridiculously comfortable sneakers have managed to do so with their soccer cleats too. Skechers have succeeded in making a real splash in the cleat market in 2023 and it will interesting to what comes next in 2024.

Best value for money

In October Kane exclusively told FourFourTwo: "We started talking about six months ago. Skechers contacted me and my team, and told us about what they wanted to do. I’ve been really impressed with them. I’m really proud to be the face of the cleats, and I’m happy I’ve been scoring goals in them already. I think it was a surprise to a lot of people around the soccer world to see Skechers come into the market, but I think that's what makes it so exciting."

The Skechers SKX 01 came into the market with a bang. These were first teased and then released in a mystery prototype version seen on the feet of Harry Kane before a massive launch with the England captain as its face. The hype this created could have made it difficult for the cleats to match but the SKX 01 has managed to stick the landing excellently.

The upper is covered with sticky Precise Strike Control texturing the aid control and grip on the ball the no frills soleplate does the job. These are also slightly cheaper than pairs from some of the more established cleat brands so are more than worth a try.

These need absolutely no introduction. Your dad swears there has never been a better cleat before or since but then again so does your teenage nephew. Neither of them is very far from the truth. These simply do the job. A full kangaroo leather upper is something that is not all that common in today’s soccer cleat world, making the Copa Mundial all the more attractive as an option for a ‘new’ option.

The massive saving compared to most modern cleats also means it is hard to argue with this most tried and tested of options. 

The 442 is a cleat that is very hard to argue with. Comfortable, premium and cost effective is something of a rare combination in the soccer cleat market and the 442 is certainly all of these things. These are a throwback without feeling outdated.

The wonderfully low profile design make these perfect for those who let their feet do the talking and you will struggle to find a better priced pair of cleat with leather of this quality.

Best for comfort

In 2023, Mizuno released a tweaked version of their most popular cleat and the minimal changes are simply an illustration of how difficult it is to improve on something so good. Some see Mizuno as something of a hipster choice in the market but sometimes those hipsters are really just onto something…

The transition from the leather forefoot to the knit towards the heel is seamless and these are as comfortable a cleat as you’ll find in the ‘speed’ category.

The jewel in Puma’s footballing crown. This year was the year that Jack Grealish and Kai Havertz made the switch to Puma and into the Future Ultimate – another example if one was needed of the waves the brand continues to make in disrupting the status quo in the soccer cleat world. 

The cleat itself is made of brilliantly comfortable and flexible Fuzionfit360 upper that makes you feel as though you are gliding across the pitch in a pair of socks.

How we test soccer cleats

We put each pair through its paces for several sessions across all surfaces to determine their true level of performance across key factors including comfort, stability, fit and feel. This also allows us to balance them against the claims from brands about new features and technology. 

If a brand says that a new aspect of its soleplate means you will be able to push off faster or a new synthetic upper is just as comfortable as leather – we will test to see how accurate this really is.

Each pair is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes soccer cleats, and are therefore able to cut through the marketing minefield and provide simple yet detailed advice for all players regardless of level.

In depth knowledge of the market means that factors that are important to consumers like value for money will always be flagged.

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

When trying to work out what pair of cleats suits you best the material of the upper is a vitally important factor to consider. There was a time when virtually all cleats were made from natural leather but these materials are slowly being phased out by many brands in favour of man-made options.

However, ample leather options remain. Leather offers a traditional fit, moulding to the shape of your feet. It is also soft, pliable and durable. 

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.

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 colourful. 

Whatever your personality or preference, there are likely many pairs that complement it perfectly.

Soleplate

The soleplate is where the bulk of the technology of a cleat lives, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a pair.

‘Speed’ cleats, such as the Nike Mercurial range, feature responsive, aggressive outsoles with high levels of traction, but more traditional pairs, such as the Copa Mundial or the Nike Tiempo, are slightly lower tech and the soleplates concentrate more on comfort under foot than raw speed. 

There is also surface to consider. If you play exclusively on artificial turf then an Artificial Ground (AG) specific soleplate is the best option, whereas if you are playing on turf every week then a Firm Ground (FG) pair is the best bet when it is relatively dry and a Soft Ground (SG) when it is wet or slippery.

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.