Paris Olympics 2024 fever is rising. As is the case before and after any major sporting competition, interest in equipment spikes, with searches for soccer cleats — or football boots, if you’re not American — growing steadily.
But, when it comes to buying soccer cleats, like any other sporting good, it’s worth doing some research before you commit. There’s a lot to think about: these designs are now so highly technical that the jargon can be stifling, confusing even to those who know what they want. With this said, we’ve done our best to round up the best basketball shoes of the season, so now we’re taking on the best soccer cleats.
So how have we chosen the best cleats? By spending a lot of time reading up on what people generally are confused about and then answering those questions. Let’s start with one of the major queries.
What is the difference between football cleats and soccer cleats?
Can you wear football cleats for soccer? No. While they might look similar, football cleats are designed for a completely different game. With cushioned midsoles and sturdier outsoles, football cleats are much heavier and feature an extra stud under the big toe to help create momentum from a standing position. On the flip side, soccer cleats are designed to be much lighter than football cleats, facilitating quick movements by sacrificing unnecessary support.
So, which are the best soccer cleats to buy in 2024?
Looking at the world of soccer boots from a performance point of view for starters, and then also taking into account the aesthetics in second place, we’ve rounded up some pairs of the best soccer cleats to buy in 2024 below.
While we’d like to exhibit an array of names to you, the truth of the matter is that few — if any — brands are doing it like Nike, adidas, New Balance, and PUMA. Hence, our roundup of the best soccer cleats is limited to these brands — not for lack of research, but purely because, at this moment in time, they’re producing enough pairs to dominate the scene.
Shop the best soccer cleats of 2024 below.
New Balance Furon Pro FG V7+
New Balance is a relatively new arrival to the world of football cleats, but the company has made great strides towards becoming one of the category's major players. With names like Raheem Sterling and collaborations with Stone Island under its belt already, it's no wonder that the brand's Furon boots are generating some serious hype. Side lacing and a Hypoknit upper leave as little material in between your foot and the ball as possible. Combine that with an ultralight outsole and you've got one of the fastest cleats in the game.
adidas Predator Elite Laceless FG
Anyone who loved football in the '00s will know that the adidas Predator has been a permanent fixture in best football boots lists. The iconic design has seen many generations, and the latest — the adidas Predator Elite — beams with bright yellow and new tech.
adidas Copa Pure II Elite FG
In 2024, most soccer cleats look to fluorescent neons to stand out. So much so, the boots that end up standing out are the darker ones, like adidas Copa Pure II Elite FG in this shimmery maroon. The clue's in the name, this pair is for the purists. Our favorite aspect of this pair is Fusionskin leather section. It allows a perfect strike of the ball, and its cushioning is really noticeable.
adidas Predator Generation Pred FG
Clocking in at $260, this ain't the budget-friendliest shoe on the list. Which is not to say, however, that you're not getting something exquisite in return: this pair features the grippy Strikeskin for pinpoint shooting, HybridTouch 2.0 for supreme flexibility, and is made of more than 20% recycled materials. That's right. Soccer, too, is upping its sustainability game.
adidas X Crazyfast Messi Elite FG
More goodness from the Three Stripes comes in the form of the adidas X Crazyfast Messi Elite. This pair is all about channeling its namesake's speed. A Primeknit collar keep you locked in while extra studs are added to the forefoot to facilitate sturdy footing beneath. Fittingly, the shoe shines in the Argentine team's blue, white and gold.
Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite FG
Nike soccer cleats are — as you might expect — always within the conversation for the best boots. Much like the adidas Predator, the Nike Mercurial has been one of the biggest presences in soccer gear since it arrived in 1998. The Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite now features a Zoom Air unit as well as an improved grippy texture to the upper. The result is one of the best all-around soccer cleats on the market. This is also the colorway worn by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
New Balance Tekala Pro FG V4+
In similar style to the earlier New Balance Furon, the Tekela's snug as skin. The full-foot stretch-knit upper with laceless closure and a directional heel lining only adds to the visual effect of this pair while also locking you into place without restraining the foot.
PUMA FUTURE 7 Ultimate Creativity FG/AG
Perhaps surprisingly, this pair isn't all about aesthetics. Tech like PWRPRINT and PWRTAPE extra stretchy nit allow for movement, look explosive, and sit atop cleats that lock you in place for without costing you your speed and agility.
Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite "Erling Haaland Force 9" FG
Ever wondered how the pros can create such movement on the ball? Primarily, it's because they've spent a lifetime practicing it, but we'd be remiss not to mention the fact that many of the Elite versions of boots feature helpful tech. Take the Nike Phantom GX 2 Elite's Erling Haaland version, for example: it boasts a gradient, flashy colorway, sock-like fit. Some of the best cleats to buy right now, no less because they're trusted by one of his generation's leading talents.
adidas Copa Mundial
The adidas Copa Mundial is a great pair of cleats for casual players and amateurs rather than seasoned almost-pros. The regular fit feels super comfortable over a long period. At $180 it's also one of the more affordable pairs of decent soccer cleats.
Nike Tiempo Emerald Legend 10 Elite FG
One for the real heads in the place. The Nike Tiempo has long been the go-to choice of the no-frills, get-the-job-done player. With that said, notable wearers do include the inimitable Ronaldinho. The latest Nike Tiempo features raised textures and a glossy, gradient shine for a reptilian design to suit attackers.
Nike Phantom Luna 2 Elite FG By You
Nothing too flashy here – unless you want it to be. Because these are Nike's customizable cleats. You can choose from an array of colors and designs for a bespoke, agile, Gripnit-covered shoe to shoot goals in.
Under Armour UA Shadow Elite 2 FG
Under Armour's not necessarily the first brand that comes to mind when one thinks of soccer cleats. But they've really stepped their game up here, with foam-heels, and a stretchy, dynamic fit in an ergonomic knit. They might be somewhat of an underdog brand as far as football boots go, but you'll quickly rise up your underdog title when scoring in them.
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