Defenders hold huge responsibilities as part of a soccer team. It is pretty easy for a striker to dose off for 30 seconds and miss a chance or two. But for a defender, one slip can mean conceding a goal and losing the game. With that in mind, we have put together a list of cleats that we recommend for defenders. In putting this list together, we took the following into consideration:
- Comfort – Defenders need to have total confidence in the cleat they are wearing.
- Responsiveness – Defenders have to be focused 100% of the time.
- Support and Durability – Defenders must be ready to get stuck in on tackles.
Nike Total90 Laser III
One of the key reasons that the Nike Laser III is on the list is how it improves shot power and accuracy. As a defender, there are many
times in a game when playing a long ball to the front man is necessary. When this happens, you want to be able play it right where the forward needs it, ensuring you relieve pressure on your defense. The Laser III is designed with 5 pods that lie along the strike zone to increase power. On the side, there are ‘fins’ that are designed to improve touch and control, also very important features. To summarize, these babies tick just about all the boxes needed for a defender!
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Under Armour Dominate
The UA Dominate offer more protection than any other cleat on this list. This is due to the MPZ (Modular Protection Zone) that is
designed to protect the metatarsal bone of the foot. Over the past few seasons, there have been some very famous metatarsal breaks. Back before the start of the 2006 World Cup, David Beckham famously came down with a break that left him unfit going into the tournament. I actually found the UA Dominate to be one of the more comfortable cleats available on the market. A lot of people were concerned with how UA were going to fair in the soccer cleat market, and apart from their color choices, I think they have become a player in the market. If you find yourself sliding in on tackles all over the pitch, these might be the right choice for you!
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Adidas Predator X
The Predator X is a super comfortable cleat that offers another great options for players who want to play accurate long balls. The strike zone of the Predator X has an area
of raised silicon that is designed to improve shot power. Without being a bulky cleat, it also offers good protection and is definitely suitable for players who like to tackle hard, and I give them full marks for comfort. Adidas have also added a unique heal protector, that adds an extra piece of safety when players tackle you from behind. Any defender wearing these is sure to have confidence in their play!
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Puma King XL
Enduring the test of time (over 40 years now), the Puma King range continues to satisfy all players of all positions on the pitch. But, in my opinion, it
has a lot more to offer defenders than any other position. First off, these are one of the most comfortable cleats on the market and break in very easily. They also have more of a rounder toe, and I have always thought this benefits defenders. You will see a lot of defensive players, including defensive mids, wearing these cleats at the top level. After wearing these for several weeks, I can tell you that they offer great support in the most challenging of games!
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i play right,left back as well as defensive midfield for my teams. The past year i purchased the nike mercurial vapor iv cactus colour cleats and they worked pretty well for me but they gave me nasty blisters and this year they are still bothering me. I want a pair of cleats similar to the vapors but with more comfort, any ideas?
Milan,
You should check out the Puma V1.10 since they are also extremely light. Another option is to wait a few weeks until the release of the Adidas Adizero, which will also offer limited weight!
i actually considered purchasing both of these cleats before ! especially the adizero’s, great website !
i play left and center back and i am a huge fan of tiempos. I’ve noticed a lot of top defenders like puyol, pique, wearing them and i remember maldini also wore them. what do you think of them?
Check out the Tiempo review at http://www.soccercleats101.com/2010/01/25/nike-tiempo-legend-iii-review/
Does this column apply to GKs too?
Hey Jared,
Yes this would apply to Goalkeepers also, although I would include the Uhlsport range into the mix also!
as a centreback, and occasional centremid, id say the Adidas F50.9/F50i’s are my preferred boots of choice, i was once a Nike fanatic until about a year ago -the Tiempo’s are a great boot- until i lost my pair lol and had to borrow a pair of F50s from a teammate for the remainder of the season, since then haven’t looked back, the new F50i’s are wonderful as far as durability (very important), weight, control, and ball feel go, im sure a lot of high profile strikers and mids prefer them, but as a defender i definitely love them and would recommend you give them a try on at your local footy shop
what shoes do you guys think i should get. I play both holding mid, and center back equally.
I need a cleat that is good for a defender (left center back to be specific), and that is also sold in size 15…
got any ideas?
as the past year ive used nike mercurial vapor 4 and they worked out well but i want something that can help me move with the ball easier such as making a change in direction easier, do you think that the superfly 2 could help me in that catagory?
I play center back or left back for a professional academy.Last year i bought the Nike CTR 360 and was very happy with them for the first 2 months.But i had to stop playing for 3 months due to injury + exams and after coming back to play i havent found the ctr;s as comfortable.
Im looking at the Under Armour dominate Pro and the Lotto Zhero Leggenda Tre.
First off as the grounds over here are firm at best I cant understand Underarmour’s Boot differentiation.
On http://www.prodirectsoccer.com they have listed Underarmour dominate pro for 200 pounds in the Soft Ground/Firm Ground category and there is another Dominate Pro for 100 pounds in the moulded stud category.
Is moulded stud for indoor soccer?
well i play right defense & wondeing which cleats to buy. i bought tiempos & those worked good but im thinking of getting vapors but they say it doesnt work good for defenders
What about the powercat? ive seen vidic and dunne using em’
i’m 15, i usually play sweeper (behind defense) and my speed is a key factor for me. Traction is also a must since any small slips can lead to a break away or goal against. I’m thinking of the Nike talaria’s (for lightweight speed), copa mundials (for the amazing comfort), adipure trx fg (for comfort), reebok valde(for power,and comfort, its made from kangaroo leather also). The adipure’s are lightweight alos and made of kangaroo leather but i’ve heard that they don’t last long. The reebok’s, well i’ve never worn reebok’s before so i’m not sure how they’ll be. the talaria’s will make me faster, but it does not seem like the best traction and not very sturdy for a defender. copa mnudials seem good but i heard they absorb in water, and the traction is molded studs so i’m a little weary of the traction on wet grass.
any advice or suggestion’s would be greatly appreciated.
soccerboy-I’m a defender as well and i would highly recommend the adipures. some consider them more of a midfield cleat but for me they have been highly durable as well as comfortable. They are much lighter and quicker than copas and the leather is exceptionally soft and makes for a great touch. I’ve had played in them for two high school seasons and they are still in great condition (although i do rotate cleats).
I’m a all-around defender, I can pretty much play anywhere in defense, and I’ve been wearing Mercurials for the past year and a half or so, first with the Mercurial Vapor IV SL, and now the Mercurial Vapor V. I have loved the Vapors because of their overall comfort, weight, and durability. However, I tweaked my ankle a few months ago, and I wear a brace when I play (I don’t wear ankle protection with my shin guards). Do you have any suggestions on which cleat might give some decent ankle protection? I was thinking about all of the cleats suggested, and also the CTR360 Maserati from Nike, or maybe some Adipures. I’m open to anything though. And do you think I should start to wear ankle protection with my shin guards from now on? Probably should, but I stopped because it used to stretch the sides of my Vapor IV’s when I first got them, so I switched. Thank you in advance.
Ryan,
Very difficult to give a good suggestion in terms of ankle protection as the majority of boots fit very similar. My first suggestion is to try stick to low profile studs where possible, even choosing artificial turf cleats when possible. The biggest problem lies in the studs getting stuck along the surface, causing ankle twists. One other suggestion is to check out the UA Create, which fits higher on the ankle.
Wearing ankle protection is a good idea though if you are suffering ankle problems. It is better to wear it to stop injury, instead of playing without it and suffering an injury!
I play right wing back, and occasionally as second forward. I need a speedy boot but with protection because I make a lot of tackles. I currently have mercurials and I’ve always loved them but they aren’t very protective, I’m thinking about switching to adipure but if not those then what boots would
you reccomend? Thanks, Michael
Michael,
I would recommend any of the boots above…the Predator X might be your best option.
Hello! For my school team I play the stopper position, but I have recently joined a club team that has me playing more midfield positions. The cleats that I have now (Lotto brand) rub the skin off of my toes and gives me blood blisters, all of which I don’t particularly appreciate. I bought them because they were relatively cheap, but I am definitely willing to branch out in light of these blisters. I also had an ACL repair surgery, so I need a cleat that will help me move a little better and allow me to keep up my fast pace without making my feet hurt! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! =D
Thank you,
Shikha
Shikha,
Any of the cleats in the above post are suitable options. I would recommend ordering up a size, sounds like the Lotto’s might be too tight!