7 Best Soccer Cleats (2022)
The new soccer season has just started and you know what that means? Time for some new soccer cleats!
Finding the right cleats for you can be a game-changer and get the most out of your skills. The right footwear can help you get more feel on the ball and improve your control as well as provide more support to reduce the chances of injury and give you a more comfortable experience.
So let’s not waste any more time and have a look at the top 7 best soccer cleats for 2022.
What Makes a Good Soccer Cleat?
Fit
When buying a pair of soccer cleats fit is extremely important. They will want to fit tightly around your foot so they feel snug, but not too tight that they feel uncomfortable. The tighter the fit normally the better as this gives you more control over the ball.
You also want to make sure there is some space between your toe and the end of the shoe otherwise it can become painful wearing them over a long period of time. The width of your finger is the perfect amount.
Position
When picking out the right soccer cleats for you, it is important to have in mind what position you play in. If you’re a defender you’ll want cleats that offer strong support in the upper region of the cleat. If you’re a midfielder or forward you may benefit from a boot that is a bit lighter so you can move quickly with the ball and take shots quicker.
Looks
There are many different factors that can affect what soccer cleats you choose but at the end of the day, we all want to look good on the pitch. Whether it’s to impress that girl that came to watch you play or even to just make you feel more confident out on the pitch, aesthetics are always important.
7 Best Soccer Cleats to Buy in 2022
1. Adidas Predator Freak
Price: $200
First off, if you’re looking for a pair of cleats that are going to make you stand out on the pitch, then the Adidas Predator Freaks are the soccer cleats for you.
The Adidas Predator Freaks come with new Demonskin technology that adds a layer of rubber spikes to the boot laid in a formation that aligns to key contact points on the ball. This gives you extra touch and feel on the ball as the extra tackiness from the spikes helps with control.
This Demonskin technology can also help with getting some extra power behind your strikes due to the spikes lining up with the contact points in the ball making them perfect for someone looking to get some extra pop behind their shots.
While these shoes are laceless you can still expect a good, snug fit from them however it does take some time to adjust to the laceless feel if you haven’t tried it before.
2. Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite
Price: $250
Nike produces some of the best soccer cleats in the world and it is no exception when it comes to the Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Elites.
These cleats provide you with a great feel of the ball as well as being very lightweight making it perfect if you’re more of an attacking player. The light feel makes them perfect for quick cuts and turns as well as getting off those quick shots on goal.
Under the cleats, Nike uses Aerotrak 2 technology which is specially designed for quick acceleration and explosiveness further making it easier for those quick cuts at high speeds.
The only downside is they can be a bit stiff when you first use them so they may need some break-in time.
3. Puma Ultra 1.4
Price: $170
The Puma Ultra 1.4 is the update of the popular Puma Ultra 1.3 which was known for being the lightest speed boots on the market and this standard was upheld with the 1.4s.
Coming in at 160 grams you won’t find any other speed boots like them. This lightweight design is made possible by an extremely thin, yet durable, woven upper so it feels like you are running barefoot on the pitch! This thin and flexible upper makes the Puma Ultra 1.4s easy to accommodate most foot shapes giving you a comfortable experience.
For under $200, you won’t find many cleats better than these.
4. Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Elite
Price: $275
While the Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Elite may be a bit more on the expensive side, it is undoubtedly one of the highest quality pairs of cleats on the market right now.
Like most top-end speed boots, they are very lightweight which makes it no surprise that players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe use the Superfly range.
One thing that definitely stands out in these cleats is the ‘Dynamic Fit Collar’ which is the bit that looks like a sock and hugs the ankle. This does make a big difference when it comes to comfort and can provide some support and lock your foot in place so if comfort is important for you, then I’d recommend these cleats.
5. Adidas Copa Mundial
Price: $150
43 years on from their initial release, the Adidas Copa Mundial is still a great choice of cleats that you can’t go wrong with.
If you’re looking purely for comfort, then I’ve found the cleats for you. These shoes are designed to fit anybody no matter how wide or narrow your feet are.
These cleats are made from premium kangaroo leather and whilst they may be a bit on the heavier side at 320g, the Adidas Copa Mundial makes up for in power. This premium kangaroo leather also provides you with an excellent soft touch on the ball so you have more control on the pitch.
It is no surprise why these cleats have stuck around for so many years and still compete with the technology in cleats nowadays without making any changes at all from their release in 1979.
6. MiJ Mizuno Morelia Neo 3
Price: $290
The MiJ Mizuno Morelia Neo 3 provide a lightweight and barefoot sensation like no other cleats on the market.
The cleats come wrapped in kangaroo leather which is known for being some of the softest yet toughest leather in the world. This gives you more control on the ball and helps you have a better first touch.
In the midfoot, you get a barefoot synthetic leather which gives your foot a nice cosy hug as well as makes the shoe a lot lighter which is perfect for a speed boot.
These cleats may have a slightly higher price tag however I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
7. Adidas X SpeedFlow.1
Price: $250
The Adidas X range have always been very popular soccer cleats with some of the best players in the world using them such as Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale.
That is why I’ve decided to include the Adidas X Speedflow.1 to this list. These cleats are perfect for a winger as they are super-thin, making for a lightweight feel, as well as flexing while you move which helps you to run faster.
These cleats also wrap perfectly around your foot (like a tight sock) so you can have more control with any part of your foot whilst dribbling and have a perfect strike zone whilst shooting.
