If you're somebody who often plays their football on wetter or muddier pitches, you'll want to find the best soccer cleats for soft ground this winter.
Having the right cleats can make a huge difference to a player's game, with certain ranges specifically designed for firmer playing surfaces. 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 here you'll find the best soccer cleats for soft ground.
The latest in the peerless Nike Mercurial range, the Air Zoom Superfly IX, dropped in July 2022 and was given its first run out at the Women's Euros. They're worn this season by some of the biggest stars in the men and women's game, and will be seen extensively at Qatar 22.
Aside from looking drop-dead gorgeous, in FFT's opinion at least, the Air Zoom Superfly IX is among the lightest cleats on the market and offer unbeatable traction even on the muddiest surfaces – making them ideal for speedy attacking players. The almost sticky skin on the upper is designed to assist with your touch, passing and shooting, while also offering decent protection.
The cleats come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
In one TV commercial for the Nike Phantom, the greats of the game build up these cleats to be mysterious and lethal in equal part. Rino Gattuso trashes his office in rage and confusion while his former comrade Andrea Pirlo conjures an inky storm from the comfort of his vineyard, as French house duo Justice soundtrack the scene.
The latest iteration of the Phantom cleats look 80s-inspired and worn by the likes of Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne. While they're the least-known of all the American brand's efforts, they're among the best: suitable for strikers or full-backs, offering control, lightness and a design somewhere between the Mercurial and the Tiempo.
The cleats come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
Released in conjunction with a specially made Rick and Morty short, the Adidas X SPEEDPORTAL boots are a natural evolution from the last X model while upgrading on the look, feel and comfort of the model.
We were blown away when they landed. These are the best-looking Xs in years, with a freshly-designed heel and the brand-new, textless Adidas logo. Bravo.
The cleats come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
Last season's Nike offering, but still a cracking choice. In our Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 football boots review, we praised the lightness of these cleats in particular. At just 190g, this is among the lightest cleats ever, despite being made from a material that does offer genuine protection and durability. They're so noticeably light, that even FFT (not quite blessed with the speed, say, of a young Theo Walcott) felt the difference in a game situation. They also offer great traction thanks to a unique stud pattern and are tight on the foot without any chance of coming off.
The boots come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
The latest Tiempos are extremely comfortable and durable, and among the lightest on the market, weighing in at only 207g.
They feature a number of nifty little gadgets, including memory foam and touch pods, designed to specifically help you shoot, dribble and control the ball. The chevron studs have been specially designed to add traction, helping attacking players can change direction more easily – perfect for bursting past defenders.
The cleats come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
In our recent Puma Future Z Lazertouch soccer cleats review, we praised the authentic leather used in cleats worn by some of the nippiest wingers in world soccer. Neymar's version of the Future Z are lighter still, made by synthetic material as opposed to the leather on the Lazertouch, so you have a choice.
The cleats are a fantastic fit, offer superb traction, look stunning and are light enough to make you feel as if you're wearing carpet slippers. The Future Z is geared towards attacking players specifically.
The cleats come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
Lightweight, colourful and with touches of blue and red across them that just look beautiful, the New Balance Furon V6+ Pro are an absolute triumph. These cleats will give strikers the edge in a foot race since they're so weightless – but they're also comfortable, too.
These are the cleats that the likes of Sadio Mané and Bukayo Saka wear. Perfect for a speedster... and they look the business, too.
The cleats come in both soft ground and firm ground versions, with the former offering longer, metal studs across the soleplate.
How we test soccer cleats
Here at FourFourTwo, our boot testing procedure is all about getting boots on our feet and personally trying them out in kickabouts, training sessions and matches. Our writers test each pair over a number of weeks, in various playing conditions, in order to get a proper idea of what they're like on a soccer pitch.
This is the best way to find out if cleats are better suited for firmer or softer ground, what level of traction they offer and how else they're geared towards improving a player's game. We're passionate about soccer cleats and regularly attend launch events and Q&As to get as much information as possible from manufacturers and designers before we begin.
All of our reviews are honest (despite working with brands, nobody can "buy" a good review from us) and we always have real soccer players in mind when giving recommendations.
