7 Best Nike Football Cleats, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023

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| Reviewed using methodology 1.5
7 Best Nike Football Cleats, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023

American football is among the most aggressive sports in modern times. Burly players bumping on each other, pulling each other down, or piling on top of one another are just common sights. 

Given such aggression and physicality, it’s only wise to expect football cleats to be really durable and well-made. The Swoosh thoroughly understands this, so their Nike football cleats are always well-rated.

We were able to test around 15 football cleats from Nike and made a holistic assessment of each one. Given that all of them are made to take a beating, their rankings are now based on other equally important aspects such as traction, support, and comfort.

Best overall
Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark
$45 From Nike
Best mid
Nike Alpha Menace Varsity 3 Nike Alpha Menace Varsity 3
$75 From Nike
Best low
Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360
$95 From Nike
Best textile/mesh
Nike Vapor Edge Team Nike Vapor Edge Team
$110 From Amazon
Best molded
Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit
$200 $154 From Nike
Best high
Nike Force Savage Elite 2 Nike Force Savage Elite 2
$140 $100 From Amazon
Most popular
Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2 Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2
$200 $150 From Amazon
See all 22 nike football cleats
Table of contents How we test football CleatsBest overallBest midBest lowBest textile/meshBest moldedBest highMost popularComparison
Overview

How we test football Cleats

Our top picks from a handful of Nike football cleats on record only make sense if our assessment process is credible. Hence, we commit to the following:

  • Conduct performance tests on actual football grounds in real football games.
  • Decline sponsorships or X-deals. The shoes that we test are only bought using our own funds to get rid of potential bias.

We understand that not everyone wants to go through chunks of text just to be acquainted with a Nike football cleat. Hence, we also come up with  a numerical CoreScore. We base this figure on the online ratings given by experts, active footballers, and hobbyists.

Best Nike football Cleats overall

Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark
Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark
$45
See deal  
$58
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  

CoreScore

94
Superb!
4.7 / 5 from 961 users
89 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • Good traction on turf
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Well-made and supportive upper
  • True-to-size fit
  • Versatile usage
  • Affordable
  • Stylish look

Cons

  • Not durable base
  • Mostly used by kids

Verdict

The Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark is an affordable gift that just keeps on giving. Aside from being a great football cleat, this shoe also lends itself to other sports. It's not a surprise that it is a top choice among younger players. More experienced players should stop sleeping on this.
Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark full review

Best mid Nike football Cleats

Nike Alpha Menace Varsity 3
Nike Alpha Menace Varsity 3
$75
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  

CoreScore

86
Good!
4.8 / 5 from 32 users
80 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • Comfortable wraparound
  • Great fit
  • Dependable grip
  • Durable
  • For entry-level footballers
  • Suits various positions
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Downgraded techs
  • So-so upper protection

Verdict

The Alpha Menace Varsity 3 from Nike reaches out to a wider audience, and it is particularly great for beginners. This shoe generally delivers on everything that matters to a football player. It offers a grip that the wearer can depend on. It also has a fairly commendable fit. Perhaps the one that many appreciate is the comfort that it brings even if it's worn for a long period of time.
Nike Alpha Menace Varsity 3 full review

Best low Nike football Cleats

Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360
Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360
$95
See deal  
$100
See deal  
$100
See deal  
No stock  

CoreScore

88
Good!
4.4 / 5 from 362 users
90 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • Dependable grip
  • Superb comfort
  • Nice bounce
  • Insanely light
  • Affordable
  • Flexible support
  • Perfect for quick cuts
  • Great fit

Cons

  • Requires breaking-in
  • Stiff

Verdict

Engineered to deliver players to a new level of speed and agility, the Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 is well-received by many. Football players of any position are pleased with this pair because it allows them to move on the field, run faster to beat defenders, and execute plays without any discomfort and helps them focus on winning the game.
Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 full review

Best Nike textile/mesh football Cleats

Nike Vapor Edge Team
Nike Vapor Edge Team
$110
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  

CoreScore

89
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 519 users
N/A

Pros

  • High levels of comfort
  • Sprint-ready midsole tooling
  • Great traction
  • Lightweight structure
  • Supportive construction
  • Affordable price
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Rips apart early
  • Break-in is needed

Verdict

The Nike Vapor Edge Team is a warmly received football cleat because it straightforwardly offers more for less. From top to bottom, the elements in it contribute to an experience that many performance-conscious wearers appreciate. This is indeed a worthy cheap alternative to the Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit.
Nike Vapor Edge Team full review

Best Nike molded football Cleats

Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit
Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit
$154
See deal  
$216
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  

CoreScore

81
Decent!
4.1 / 5 from 152 users
95 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • High levels of comfort
  • Amazing fit
  • Traction in all directions
  • Dependable support and lockdown
  • Reliable springiness
  • Durable structure
  • Stylish and streamlined look

Cons

  • Not enough impact protection
  • Durability issues

Verdict

The Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit is generally a great shoe. It is among the most comfortable football cleats out there because of its soft Flyknit upper. The soleplate delivers a pretty consistent bite, supporting quick movements in all directions. It also boasts a pretty sleek look that makes this cleat appealing even to the most looks-conscious players. This football cleat's sizeable price tag is well justified by the level of performance that it delivers.
Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 Flyknit full review

Best high Nike football Cleats

Nike Force Savage Elite 2
Nike Force Savage Elite 2
$100
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  

CoreScore

91
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 787 users
N/A

Pros

  • Excellent football cleat
  • Great product
  • Excellent ankle support
  • Provides extra support
  • Outstanding fit
  • Comfortable to play in
  • Dope look

Cons

  • Too hot during sunny days

Verdict

The Nike Force Savage Elite 2 is a versatile cleat for linemen. According to owners, these Nike football cleats are very supportive and comfortable. Despite reportedly being not so breathable, most buyers just love playing in these cleats and have not experienced any issues that hinder their performance on the field.
Nike Force Savage Elite 2 full review

Most popular Nike football Cleats

Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2
Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2
$150
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  

CoreScore

86
Good!
4.3 / 5 from 197 users
84 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • Great style
  • Superb comfort
  • Great for defensive and all-around players
  • Durable for intense plays
  • Worth the price
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent traction for explosive movements
  • Secure fit
  • Excellent traction

Cons

  • Not great for players who wear an ankle brace
  • Limits ankle movement
  • Requires break-in time

Verdict

According to football players, this Nike cleat is stylish, comfortable, supportive, and durable and is a good all-around football cleat that gets things done on the field. Many are quite pleased with the overall aesthetic and performance of this second Alpha Menace Elite which is perfect for defensive and all-around players to execute their plays successfully.
Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2 full review

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