The Best Cleats of Super Bowl LVII
The Super Bowl LVII has come to a close. As Rihanna shut down the half-time show with a setlist to be remembered, all the while announcing her second pregnancy, the Kansas City Chiefs snatched a win over the Philadelphia Eagles to snatch their third NFL Championship.
In a game that saw countless players switch out their cleats due to ground traction issues, it was difficult not to focus on the night's footwear choices.
While the Chiefs revel in their win, we look back at the best cleats that graced the field during Super Bowl LVII.
Jalen Hurts – Nike Air Jordan 11 PE
One of the most recognizable and celebrated silhouettes in the Air Jordan family, the 11 debuted in 1995. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, this was the 11th signature shoe in Michael Jordan's line-up and the first to feature patent leather and carbon fiber.
While borrowing the color blocking utilized on the famed "Concord" colorway, this custom features the Eagles' "Kelly Green."
Jake Eliot – Nike Tiempo Legend
While football (soccer) in the States is nothing particularly new, its presence has certainly intensified in the past couple of years.
Thanks to the US national team's presence in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with several slick footwear choices from the team's manager, and the fact that the country will play hosts to the tournament in 2026, American football has truly made it to the world stage.
As Kim Kardashian and her son Saint sport AS Roma and Arsenal, respectively, we can feel the two types of football edging closer in American culture – so much so that we're seeing classic "soccer" boots picked over "football" cleats.
Miles Sanders – Nike Air More Uptempo
Nike's Air More Uptempo is about as iconic as it gets. Perhaps one of the biggest statement pairs in Swoosh history, this 90s classic packs all of the flair you could ever need with a style that feels just as fresh today as it did on its debut.
This custom pair of cleats mimmicks the Air More Uptempo's instantly recognizable bubble font and placement, switching out "Air" for "Boobie" – as you do.
Dallas Goebert – Nike Kobe 5
Although Kobe Bryant's signature sneakers have never quite matched up to the level of Air Jordans, they've certainly made their mark on the industry in a significant way.
Unlike many basketball silhouettes on offer, these opted out of a high-top construction, in turn, offering something with a little more of a lifestyle appeal.
Thanks to this lower profile, the sneaker is effortlessly executed as a cleat.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson – Nike "Weatherman" KD 4
The KD 4's "Weatherman" colorway is easily one of, if not the most iconic finish that the silhouette has undergone during its time.
A statement finish of green, orange, and yellow it's also been applied to the KD 7. So named thanks to KD's childhood ambitions of becoming a meteorologist, the palette adds a touch of flair to each stride and kick.
Jerick McKinnon – Nike "What The" Kobe 8
Sometimes colorway names are exactly what they say on the tin – "What The" Kobe 8s, for example.
Released in 2013, the "WTK" or "What the Kobe" 8s threw all caution to the wind, offering an asymmetrical pair of sneakers that feature colors from across the spectrum.
As big of a statement, as you could possibly make, this is the same energy applied to the highly desired Air Max 95 "Greedy."
Harrison Butker – Air Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite FG & adidas Adizero
Once again, boots you'd expect to see running the length of a football pitch for 90 minutes make their way onto the field.
I remember the reactions I got when I threw on a pair of adidas pants with Skepta's Air Max 97s back in 2017. Safe to say it was a faux pas that wasn't repeated.
On the field, however, styles from the rival brands were paired, one on each foot, for a crucial play.
Jalen Hurts – Nike Air Jordan 1 PE
Another NBA classic from Jalen Hurts – this time around, it was the sneaker that started it all that received some game time.
Once again adopting a team-friendly palette, the Air Jordan 1 retained its classic color blocking for a finish worthy of its time on the big stage.
