7 Best Football Cleats in 2023
Athletic brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour release numerous football cleats making it quite a challenge to choose the right one for you.
We have tested over 20 pairs to help you narrow down the choice. Low-top or high-top, cheaper or premium, we have selected our top picks in various categories so that you can choose what works best for your game.
In the guide section below, you will also find some helpful tips on choosing between laces, straps, and slip-ons, as well as molded vs. detachable cleats. You will also understand the difference between football and soccer cleats.
How we test football Cleats
Here at RunRepeat, we are able to get the ratings of around 16 experts and more than 2,000 users. Their scores and then weighted and averaged to get the corescore of all football cleat models in our database, which we then rank to come up with the top football cleats.
Best football Cleats overall

What makes it the best?
Pros
- A versatile performer
- Amazing traction
- Great wraparound comfort
- Superb foot containment and stability
- Dependably springy
- Feels lighter than it really is
- Quite easy to put on
- Fairly affordable
Cons
- Not for wide footers
- Polarizing looks
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Best high football Cleats

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Excellent overall performance
- Fits true-to-size
- Easy to put on and take off
- Sharp-looking style
- Upper gives a premium feel
- Lightweight
- Reliable ankle support
- Durable
Cons
- Sells out fast
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Best Adidas football Cleats

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to wear
- Easy to break-in
- Fits perfectly
- Reliable heel lockdown
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Slightly narrow
- Slightly non-durable
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Best mid football Cleats

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Great traction
- Superb comfort
- Fits true to size
- Sufficient lockdown
- Trendy and stylish look
- Light
- Perfect for quarterback positions
- Ideal for quick cuts
- Nice bounce
Cons
- Noticeable wear after a few months
- Requires break-in period
- Thin insoles
- Heavy
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Best low football Cleats

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Overall comfort
- Better-than-expected quality
- Lightweight feel
- Reliable grip
- Nice foot containment
- Affordable
- Streamlined look
Cons
- Break-in is needed
- Tricky fit
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Best value

What makes it the best?
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
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Most popular football Cleats

What makes it the most popular?
If knowing what others have to say about a shoe before buying it is wise, then getting the Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 is the wisest thing to do. It has almost 400 mostly positive reviews, and this is quite big for a category that isn’t as noisy and vibrant as, say, running or basketball.
It’s not hard for us to see why the Vapor Edge Speed 360 gets all the attention that it’s getting. For one, we discovered that it really lives up to the “Speed” in its name. The shoe’s good traction, extremely light upper construction, and reliable support work together to give the wearer the agility that’s extremely needed on the gridiron.
It is not performance-related, but we learned that the affordability of this football cleat surely adds to this appeal. Yes, there is still a need to break this shoe in, but it doesn’t seem to be a major issue for the players who came in droves to buy and wear this in their games. Hey, it’s totally a good idea to join them!
Pros
- Dependable grip
- Superb comfort
- Nice bounce
- Insanely light
- Affordable
- Flexible support
- Perfect for quick cuts
- Great fit
Cons
- Requires breaking-in
- Stiff
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Comparison of the 7 best football Cleats
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3 quick steps to get the right football cleats
Choosing the right one out of the best ten football cleats is already a daunting task. You can make it easier by following the 3 quick steps below.
Consider your playing position
Playing positions in football are pretty distinct. They allow us to predict what movements a player most likely does during the game. Good football cleats correspond to the needs of the wearer’s playing position.
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Low-top football cleats are lightweight and allow maximum maneuverability. |
Mid-top football cleats provide a mix of ankle support and mobility. |
High-top football cleats are bulkier and offer more support than mid-tops or low-tops. |
Practically, low-tops and mid-tops don’t differ much. They work best for the following positions: - Running backs - Quarterbacks - Wide receivers - Defensive backs - Other skill positions |
High-tops work best for those who do lateral movements: - Linemen - Defenders |
Understand the anatomy of a football cleat
All the top football cleats have three major components, each with a unique contribution to how effective a cleat is.
Upper. The upper is typically made of leather or synthetic. Other materials that provide varying levels of support, durability, and comfort are also used. How securely attached the shoe is to the foot is determined by the upper’s lockdown system.
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Lace-Up — This is the most common type of closure system found in most football cleats. This type of lockdown system offers a fully-customizable fit. |
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Strap — Some football cleats feature hook-and-loop straps to provide increased support and lockdown. |
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Slip-On — Most premium football cleats feature a one-piece knit construction that provides a snug one-to-one fit. |
Midsole. The midsole provides internal support and underfoot cushioning. This part is usually made of a type of foam.
Outsole. Being the part that comes in contact with the playing surface, the outsole must provide the right amount of traction. Based on how the outsole is constructed, spikes on football cleats are either molded or detachable.
Molded |
Detachable |
Generally cheaper |
More expensive |
Provides enough traction on both natural and artificial grass surfaces |
Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions |
Usually used for practices and in actual games by high school and other younger players |
Usually used in actual games by professional players and college athletes |
In order to maximize the use of football cleats with detachable spikes, you need to know how many spike variants are available and when to use them.
Length |
General Usage |
½ inch |
Dry start-of-the-season surfaces |
⅜ inch |
Normal surfaces that have been played on numerous times |
¾ inch |
Soft muddy surfaces |
1 inch |
Extreme surface conditions (too much moisture or even ice) |
See to it that the cleats fit you well.
It’s obvious that you should get the right size to maximize a shoe’s potential. Here are a few tips that you can follow to get the best football cleats that fit you perfectly.
Take into account potential stretch. The upper is made of either leather or synthetic materials. Bear in mind that leather tends to stretch over time, so an initial tightness might be OK.
Shop or at least measure your feet late in the afternoon. Our feet tend to swell throughout the day. Their size later in the afternoon is said to be the most accurate. Do measurements or actual shopping during this time.
Consider the thickness of your socks. A sock adds more bulk to your foot, and might affect how snugly the football cleat fits you. Try the cleat with the sock on to ensure optimal fit.
Learn how to gauge size online. Brands fit differently. Whenever possible, stick to brands that fit you well when you shop online. If you must, use sizing tools provided by some online retailers to get the right size estimate.
Football cleats vs soccer cleats
In the UK and the rest of Europe, the word ‘football’ is used to refer to a sport that the United States calls ‘soccer.’ There’s also football in the US but it’s entirely different from Europe’s football, from the rules of the game down to the cleats that the players wear.
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Football Cleats |
Soccer Cleats |
heavier |
lighter |
come in 3 types: high, mid, and low |
are usually just lows. |
has a toe stud |
has no toe stud |
less responsive striking area |
highly responsive striking area |
Compared to soccer cleats, typical football cleats have the following characteristics:
Feel heavier. Football is a contact sport that involves players defending against or tackling each other. To keep them supported, their shoes need to be made of heavier and sturdier materials.
Have toes spikes. The extra stud near the big toe provides the additional traction needed by a football player as they block opponents or push against their tacklers.
Come in low, mid, and high versions. Football has fourteen identified positions, and each has its own unique functions. Each type corresponds to specific needs of a group of football positions. Learn more about this as we discuss playing positions below.
Less responsive striking area. Though there are special positions that do it, kicking is not a common move among football players. Hence, their shoes are not engineered for it.