The Best Men’s Soccer Cleats for 2024
High-performing soccer cleats for speed, touch, and precision.
If ever there was a sport where it mattered what you wore on your feet, it’s soccer (more commonly known the world over as football).
It’s right there in the name.
Once you lace up your boots and step on the pitch, it’s all about what you can do with your feet.
How much separation you create, how precise you place the ball, how much control you have dribbling, and on and on.
Finding a high-quality pair of cleats that complement your game and keep up with your every burst, cut, tackle, and shot is no easy task.
So, we’ve put together a list of the best soccer cleats for 2024.
These picks will boost your game, eliminate distractions, and allow you to effortlessly showcase your skills.
Choosing a High-Quality Pair of Soccer Cleats
Soccer is an all-around demanding sport that requires speed, skill, endurance, and teamwork—among several other factors.
Whether you’re training, practicing, or competing in-game, you need gear that will not only keep up but actually boost your performance.
This is certainly the case when it comes to choosing cleats.
Opting for a high-quality pair of soccer cleats that compliments your game can be the difference between fast and explosive, or hitting the crossbar versus putting it in the top bin.
When you pick up a pair of high-quality soccer cleats, you’ll notice a few things right away.
They’ll have a sleek appearance, lightweight feel, and a form-fitting design.
These qualities help you conduct quick, agile moves, while also giving you a good feel for the ball.
While you may prefer a more relaxed fit from everyday shoes and sneakers, with soccer cleats you want a snug fit and thin feel that forms to your foot.
This allows you to have greater touch and precision with your feet when connecting with the ball.
Keep in mind, however, this is not to say that you need to sacrifice comfort in any way.
High-quality soccer cleats often have cushioned insoles, molded sockliners, flexible constructions, and other comfort-focused features.
It’s also important to note the type of cleat that you’re purchasing, as different cleat types are intended to provide optimal traction for different surfaces.
For example, Firm Ground (FG) cleats are designed to provide great traction on firm and dry surfaces.
Soft Ground (SG) cleats, on the other hand, are designed for traction on muddy fields.
There’s also Turf and Artificial Ground (AG) cleats, which are designed for traction on artificial surfaces and can also be used for training purposes.
So, when you go to purchase your soccer cleats this season, take a second to think of all the action you’re going to put your feet through and everything you’ll be counting on them to do.
You’re definitely going to want to opt for a high-quality pair with great traction that’s lightweight and comfortable.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
1. Nike Superfly 9 Mercurial Dream Speed Soccer Cleats
The Nike Superfly 9 Mercurial Dream Speed feature a Zoom Air unit specifically designed for soccer with grippy texture and great touch. These soccer cleats have a thin and durable speed cage for a secure fit and lightweight feel.
Shop at Nike: Nike Superfly 9 Mercurial Dream Speed (Elite)
Shop at Nike: Nike Superfly 9 Mercurial Dream Speed (Pro)
Nike’s Superfly 9 Mercurial Dream Speed utilize a grippy Vaporposite+ upper for natural on-ball feel and control. These soccer cleats have tri-star studs for multidirectional traction and a cushioned insole for comfort.
2. Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Soccer Cleats
The Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 feature a Zoom Air unit specifically designed for soccer with a springy underfoot feel, grippy texture, and great touch. These soccer cleats have a thin and durable speed cage for a secure fit and lightweight feel.
Shop at Nike: Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite (Elite)
Shop at Nike: Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite (Pro)
Nike’s Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite utilize a grippy Vaporposite+ upper for natural on-ball feel and control. These soccer cleats have tri-star studs for multidirectional traction and a cushioned insole for comfort.
3. Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Soccer Cleats
The Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Pro feature a soft FlyTouch Plus engineered leather that comfortably conforms to your foot and pairs with All Conditions Control technology for grippy texture in all weather conditions.
Shop at Nike: Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Pro (Elite)
Shop at Nike: Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Pro (Pro)
Nike’s Tiempo Legend 10 Pro utilize microdots on the upper for amplified touch zones when shooting, dribbling, and passing. These soccer cleats sport Flyknit around the ankle for a secure feel and conical studs in the heel for optimal traction and stability.
4. Nike Phantom Luna 2 Soccer Cleats
The Nike Phantom Luna 2 cover the striking area with sticky Gripknit for exceptional touch and pair it with micro-molding texture that forms to your foot for improved striking. These soccer cleats sport Nike Cyclone 360 traction for improved agility and secure movements.
Shop at Nike: Nike Phantom Luna 2 (Elite)
Shop at Nike: Nike Phantom Luna 2 (Pro)
Nike’s Phantom Luna 2 utilize an asymmetric lacing pattern for a large touch surface and increased midfoot adjustability. These soccer cleats have a snug Flyknit cuff that shapes around your ankle with subtle ribs to allow higher ball contact when trapping and passing.
5. Adidas X CRAZYFAST Elite Soccer Cleats
The Adidas X CRAZYFAST Elite feature a lightweight, foot-hugging, speed-focused design with an Aeropacity speed skin upper and a stretchy PRIMEKNIT collar. These soccer cleats are available in both a lace closure and laceless construction.
Shop at Adidas: Adidas X CRAZYFAST Elite
Shop at Adidas: Adidas X CRAZYFAST Elite (LL)
Adidas’ X CRAZYFAST Elite utilize a Speedframe outsole for peak acceleration and a midfoot support cage for a secure fit at any speed.
6. Adidas Predator 24 Elite Soccer Cleats
The Adidas Predator 24 Elite feature an extra flexible HybridTouch 2.0 upper with strategically placed rubber Strikeskin fins for biting grip and elite precision. These soccer cleats are available in both a classic lace closure and laceless construction.
Shop at Adidas: Adidas Predator 24 Elite
Shop at Adidas: Adidas Predator 24 Elite (LL)
Adidas’ Predator 24 Elite pair a PRIMEKNIT collar with a full-length Controlframe 2.0 outsole for incredible comfort and a secure lockdown fit.
7. Adidas Predator Accuracy Plus Soccer Cleats
The Adidas Predator Accuracy Plus feature 3D precision grip rubber elements in strike zones for accurate ball spin and placement. These soccer cleats have a perfect strike outsole designed to optimize power transfer to the forefoot.
Shop at Adidas: Adidas Predator Accuracy Plus
Adidas’ Predator Accuracy Plus sport cushioning in key contact areas for extra comfort and a soft touch. These soccer cleats have a laceless construction, a HybridTouch upper, and a two-piece PRIMEKNIT collar.
8. Under Armour Shadow Elite 2 Soccer Cleats
The Under Armour Shadow Elite 2 feature a full-length carbon fiber agility outsole for optimal speed and multidirectional response. These soccer cleats sport an ergonomic IntelliKnit upper that provides a second skin feel.
Shop at Under Armour: UA Shadow Elite 2
Under Armour’s Shadow Elite 2 utilize Eyestay strike pods for better ball control and an exo-mesh midfoot cage for support when cutting. These soccer cleats have engineered zonal stretch and a premium foam heel for hold and comfort.
9. Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3 Soccer Cleats
The Under Armour Clone Magnetico 3 feature an extra responsive Charged Cushioning footbed that absorbs impact and a UA CLONE upper for a customized fit. These soccer cleats require zero break-in for a ready-to-go perfect wear.
Shop at Under Armour: UA Clone Magnetico 3 (Elite)
Shop at Under Armour: UA Clone Magnetico 3 (Pro)
Under Armour’s Clone Magnetico 3 have flexible inner material that molds to your foot for a comfortable glove-like fit. These soccer cleats have a form-fitting toe box for superior touch and feel, as well as conical studs for multidirectional quickness.
10. New Balance Furon Pro V7+ Soccer Cleats
The New Balance Furon Pro V7+ feature a supportive and lightweight Hypoknit that pairs a mesh lining upper with off-set lacing for a wider striking zone.
Shop at New Balance: NB Furon Pro V7+
New Balance’s Furon Pro V7+ utilize a 3D tongue tab for added grip and nylon outsole with a V-shaped stud configuration for superior traction.
11. New Balance 442 V2 Soccer Cleats
The New Balance 442 V2 Team feature a premium full-grain leather upper for superior feel and comfort, as well as a lightweight TPU plate and stud tips for durability.
Shop at New Balance: New Balance 442 V2 (Pro)
Shop at New Balance: New Balance 442 V2 (Team)
New Balance’s 442 V2 Team have a classic lace-up closure and an extra comfortable internal lining with a ready-to-go flexible fit. These soccer cleats are available in several classic team color options.
12. Puma Future 7 Soccer Cleats
The Puma Future 7 feature a signature FUZIONFIT+ dual mesh upper with stretchy knit for an adaptive fit. These soccer cleats sport PWRPRINT support when changing directions and two layers of PWRTAPE across the midfoot for lockdown stability.
Shop at Dick’s Sporting Goods: Puma Future 7 (Ultimate)
Shop at Dick’s Sporting Goods: Puma Future 7 (Pro)
Puma’s Future 7 sport a stable heel, flexible forefoot, and a Dynamic Motion System outsole for agility, stability, and traction. These soccer cleats use engineered 3D textures at contact zones for improved ball grip and control.
13. Mizuno Alpha Elite Soccer Cleats
The Mizuno Alpha Elite feature Mizuno’s lightest ever soccer cleat design with a ZEROGLIDE mesh tongue and sockliner to reduce slippage and support agile movements.
Shop at Dick’s Sporting Goods: Mizuno Alpha Elite
Mizuno’s Alpha Elite utilize triangle studs for multidirectional speed and traction, as well as ENERZY Foam for enhanced cushioning and energy return.
A great pair of cleats isn’t the only soccer essential that you’ll need.
Be sure to check out our top picks for the best compression shorts for soccer.
And with all the miles that soccer players run over the course of a season, recovery is a huge part of performing your best.
Check out our top picks for the best muscle recovery tools.
