Tuesday , March 19 2024

Complete Guide to Picking The Right Pair of Soccer Cleats

Boot wall

Whether you are young or old, a new player to the game or a seasoned pro, everyone needs help selecting a new pair of boots from time to time. I receive plenty of emails from eager fans on a daily basis asking for simple tips and advice when it comes to selecting the right pair. There are so many options on the market at the moment and it really isn’t easy making a decision.

I’ve spent time reviewing the most frequent questions that we receive and I’ve put together what is definitely one of the most detailed guides you will find to help you select the right pair of soccer cleats.

If there is anything that might have been missed, let us know in the comment section below.

1. Reality – Boots don’t make the player, but they help!

First and foremost, lets tackle one of the most hotly discussed topics of soccer footwear. If you have ever read a soccer forum, you have probably came across one of the following comments:

“It is not about the boots, it is about the player”

“Boots won’t make you a better player”.

The players that write these comments are correct to a certain extent, but they are also very much under-educated in why the right footwear is vital. I am here to tell you why the right boots will make a dramatic difference to how you play. Let me use a hypothetical situation for a second. Have you ever driven a car in a heavy rainstorm? As a driver, you can only be as good as your own experiences with a car and everyone is at a different level. But lets say you don’t have any window wipers, your performance is drastically reduced. Then move to a set of regular window wipers, the ones that squeak and leave some smears as they move from side to side. They help you see out and you can drive pretty safely. Lets step it up a notch,  say we gave you a set of Rainex wipers and sprayed some Rainex on the window – the beads of water literally run off the surface and you are left with extremely clear visibility. Not only does this help you see out and increase safety, it also increases your confidence in your ability to drive. In the same fashion, you can’t play without boots and the more suitable they are to your style, the more effectively they will allow you to play and offer an increased level of performance! Having the right pair can provide the building blocks to developing your game and help you improve your skills.

Then there is the pro player affect. It is important to select a boot that is right for you and not the one your favorite player wears. Granted, the boots he wears might just be the ideal pair for you, but don’t base your decision totally off that pro player. Just because they look great on Ronaldo and he plays amazingly in them, it doesn’t mean you are going gain super magical dribbling powers with a pair on. The right boots will help your game, just make sure you are choosing them for the right reason.

2. Work out your playing style

An important first step is finding out your own personal playing style. Every player that plays the game has a different style and approach and this can really dictate what boots are suitable for you to wear. Consider the position that you like to play most on the field and why you like to play there. There are players who continually stick to a certain position, while there are others that offer more flexibility. For those of you that play more than one role, think about why that is the case. For example, many players play centerback and revert to playing up top from time to time. This is usually because the player is big and strong and can win balls in the air effectively.

  • Goalkeepers need something that offers great traction and an ability to move very quickly laterally, while a nice strike zone for kick-outs and back-passes is key.
  • Defensive players will want to look for a boot that offers slightly more protection and something that allows for a clean pass on the ball.
  • Midfielders need a boot that offers control and the ability to run up and down the pitch for 90minutes in total comfort.
  • Wingers look for lightweight and a boot that provides the ability to accelerate and change direction quickly.
  • Forwards will benefit from a boot that offers a clean strike zone and provides minimal weight for explosive movements.

3. Select boots according to the pitches you will be playing on

Stud Configs

If you are going to be wearing your boots on wet, muddy pitches, you are not going to want a pair of HG boots as that will leave you sliding all over the place. The same is true if you play on artificial turf all year round, an SG boot just won’t be suited. Make sure to consider where you will be playing and how long you expect to be wearing the boots on that surface before hitting up online stores. If you really nave no idea and want to play it safe, an FG boot is usually your best bet as it can perform effectively on most surfaces.

  • FG – Firm Ground boots are best suited to natural grass surfaces where it doesn’t rain regularly. With so many locations taking to artificial grass, companies are adjusting their designs and FG is now pretty much accepted as an option for Artificial pitches.
    Check out the latest FG releases
  • SG – Soft Ground boots should only be worn when the surface is soft enough for the studs to penetrate the surface. This is the configuration of choice for players in areas where it rains very frequently and they usually feature replaceable studs.
    Check out the latest SG releases
  • AG – Artificial Ground is the newest type of configuration that companies are trying to incorporate into the market. AG is specific to newer turf surfaces and the top brands have proven extremely effective in producing excellent traction. Not to be used on FG.
    Check out the latest AG releases
  • HG – Hard ground is a boot type that is quickly being replaced on the market. The remaining pairs are an ideal option for players who play on dry surfaces, or surfaces where grass has been worn away and the ground is more bare. This configuration features a low profile with many conical studs to help keep you balanced. Can also be used effectively on FG surfaces.
  • AT – Turf shoes have long been the preferred choice for players on artificial surfaces. They feature a very low profile with a concentrated number of small conical rubber studs. They offer an older style performance option for players who play on any sort of turf surface.
    Check out the latest TF releases
  • IN – Indoor shoes are designed for any sort of court soccer play. If the surface is flat and “solid as a rock” then indoor is probably the right choice.
    Check out the latest IN releases

4. Consider the materials used in the upper

Leathers

Every player seems to have a different preference for the upper used in their boots. Some like the natural, glove like fit that eventually comes from a leather boot, while others prefer to have the consistent performance provided by straightforward synthetic uppers. You will notice that certain companies will stick with one material for a range, while others will look to create several different styles and use opposite materials in order to provide the player with more options to choose from. Here is a breakdown of the more high-profile materials you will currently see companies employ.

  • K-Leather – for so long, companies relied on using kangaroo leather in their boots to produce the premium, most sought after releases. Now, that trend is quickly evaporating and becoming a thing of the past. We still have a few boots available on the market that feature the ultra soft material, but a combination of price and activists lobbying the companies has lead to new materials being produced and incorporated. If you want a boot that really molds to your feet while providing plenty of durability, k-leather is the way to go.
  • Natural Leather – leathers such as calf skin and goat have been widely used on many top level boots. For the most part, these are the only natural leathers that companies still seem to be using. A leather boot offers a really unique feel on the ball and the opportunity to use them on a pair is definitely worth considering.
  • Synthetic Leather – this is the area where companies seem to be headed. The top brands like Nike (Kanga-Lite) and Adidas (Hybridtouch) are working to really produce high end replica leathers that mimic the same qualities as a Natural leather. In addition, they are able to add other traits, such as waterproofing, into the mix. You do loose some of the natural on the ball feel, but as newer materials are being developed, we are getting closer and closer to a pretty perfect performance match.
  • Synthetic – Then there are the uppers designed to offer a completely different experience for players on the ball. Synthetic boots tend to feature much thinner materials and actually provide players with a slightly larger fir from first wear. You won’t encounter much stretch from the material, something that is worth noting if they feel tight from first wear.
  • Mesh – the new trend seems to be using mesh through uppers. This is the same sort of material used in running shoes and because of its thin nature, it provides an extra lightweight feel. The downside is the fact that it allows moisture into the boot, so it has the potential to add more weight and leave your feet wet. Several companies are dealing with this by creating materials that feature waterproofing technologies.
  • Knit – in the past year, adidas has introduced “Primeknit” and Nike has introduced “Flyknit” to the boot market. Both are revolutionary materials, providing a completely new type of feel on the ball. The upper of both is also lined with a protective layer to ensure water does not cause any durability issues. And both series have also taken the route of higher cut ankle collars.

5. The weight of a boot

Another area that offers players an opportunity to explore different options is the actual weight of boots. We have seen a rapid dip in the average weight of boots over the past several years with the emergence of new materials and technologies used by companies. When we ran an average weight study a few years ago, the average stood around the 9.4oz mark, but the average now stands closer to the 8oz mark. At one stage, we saw a flurry of boot releases from companies such as Adidas, Puma and Pele Sports that broke the mark of lightest boot ever released. My advice right now is to consider the 8.0oz mark as a perfect option as it keeps things pretty balanced.

From a numbers perspective, the lightest boots weigh in at an extraordinary 5-6oz mark (such as the Puma V1.10 SL, Pele Trinity 3E, Adidas F50 adiZero), while the heaviest sits around the 11oz (Adidas Copa Mundial is a prime example). The 5oz to around the 8oz mark is considered to be super lightweight, with anything under 9oz considered lightweight.

6. Differentiating boots by categories

  • Control – designed using elements around the pass and control zone, aids players when it comes to ensuring quick control and solid passes.
  • Power – offers players some added oomph when hitting shots, usually this comes in the form of technology across the strike zone.
  • Speed – all about producing a lightweight boot, usually incorporates a synthetic upper and a very minimal overall design.
  • Hybrid – a boot that looks to mix different styles, like for example speed and control. This will be a lightweight boot with some added form of technology through the pass zone.
  • Heritage – focused on providing players with a no-nonsense final product that is comfortable and durable. Less technology, more leather!

7. Come up with a budget

Setting a budget and sticking with it is key, for two reasons. First, you obviously don’t want to go over budget or spend and an extreme sum on boots you weren’t expecting to buy in the first place. And second, you can often find ways to grab two quality pairs of shoes at heavily discounted prices if you shop around and look for deals. In general, there are four levels of boots to select from:

  • $150 and above – This is the elite level, with the boots in this range offering aspiring players the opportunity to wear the same boots and technology as their idols. Because these are the type of boots designed for the professional players, durability can often be affected. Pro players are offered multiple boots in a season and regularly change them out. Pro level performance, but quite often durability is compromised.
  • $80 to $150 – This is the mid tier range, with plenty of quality boots sitting in this region. This is the level of boot that most players will purchase and it is the range where most boots are sold. Performance in this range often outperforms the elite level and there is the benefit of more durability in the shoes.
  • $40 to $80 – This is the level where most lower tiers sit, or the final boot in a silo. Companies usually maintain a similar visual look with these boots, but performance is often lacking. Any added technology will be removed but they are still a solid option for new players or those playing at a non-competitive level (or simply for fun.)
  • $10 to $40 – Lets keep this simple, I really don’t recommend you look to buy boots in this range. In many case you will simply be getting a boot with a logo. That is, of course, unless there is a great sale and a pair of boots drops below $40.

When it comes to sales, there are always plenty on offer – you just need to know where to look! We regularly feature exclusive deals with online sites and leave a collection of those offers up on our Steals and Deals page for players to take advantage of. In many cases, an older style model of a boot will go on sale as soon as a new version is released. Take advantage of this! And there are many examples of where the older model is seen to be a high performer than the new boot. Just because they are on sale it doesn’t mean the performance has all of a sudden decreased – it simply means stores are trying to move them in order to bring in newer models.

8. Figure out your foot shape

One thing that a lot of new players are unaware of is the fact that pretty much every boot on the market fits in a different way. Even when you look across a single brands silo’s, you will see that they have intentionally sized each boot in a different fashion to suit several player types. If you have the opportunity to get into a soccer store and try shoes on, you are golden and way ahead of the game. Unfortunately, a lot of players have to rely on buying new boots online. There are 3 specific ways to figure out what boots suit you best:

  • Read review sites like SoccerCleats101 – all of our reviews have details on sizing and fit.
  • Ask a friend what boots they wear and compare your fit with theirs.
  • Talk to coaches, they see a lot of players wearing a lot of different boots.

9. If they are too big….If they are too small….

This is where the rule of thumb comes in – if you have a thumb space between your toes and the top of the boot, they are too big. If you have no space then they are too small. The right distance to look for is about a baby finger width between your toe and the top if the boot. If you feel your toe pressing against the upper they are definitely too tight.

One of the most common mistakes players make is continuing to wear a pair that isn’t the right size – don’t fall into this trap. Let’s be honest, we have all purchased a pair, opened and tried them on at home, found them too long and decided to try them out “just in case they fit”. Well, they probably won’t and now you are left with a used pair of boots. Be sure you have some additional space toward the front of the boot, your toes are not pressed heavily against the forefoot of the boot and your ankle isn’t completely restricted against the heel when you wear them for the first time. If you can find a fit that doesn’t constrict any part of your feet, you are headed in the right direction of playing without having your feet blister.

Just a quick tip for players who find they can’t find a boot that offers enough width in the forefoot. This is a tough and I regularly have readers who look for advice on where to get the right fit. First, you can try the brands personalized service, where they normally allow you to create a boot with a wider last. miadidas and NikeID are prime examples to check out. If that is not an economical option for you, look at boots that have a natural leather upper, Kangaroo is the most preferable. Using a boot with K-Leather will allow for some stretch room. A quick tip for players who have a pair that are too tight, try soaking them in hot water for 15 minutes while wearing them, it will loosen up the stitching and allow for some extra stretch.

10. Sizing for younger players

Many parents face a tough decision when buying players for younger players based around sizing. Many parents find it difficult to decide if there is enough room in a boot and how much is needed to allow the player to perform at their best level without growing out of the boots too quickly. For kids under the age of 12, my advice is to apply the above rule except insert baby finger instead of thumb. So, a baby finger width will be too much space. Look for about a half a finger space or somewhere in between. Of course, this will vary according to the child’s size and it also means they will grow out of the boots quickly.

For many, finances will be a factor but a baby finger width should give you enough room to allow your player to grow into the boot and mold the boot to their shape without affecting performance. Any sort of a boot with a leather upper is also an ideal option, as the leather will stretch slightly over time and provide a longer lifespan for the boot. You can search through the largest selection of youth soccer shoes at soccer.com.

11. Lightweight means less durability

Just a note here, the current trend on the market is lightweight boots and we are seeing companies drift toward lighter an lighter. This means there is less materials being used in the boots and as a result, durability is compromised. In the past, a good boot could easily provide a player with a solid two seasons, but we are now at the stage where a single season seems to be an achievement. If you are looking for a more durable option, consider boots that weigh in above 9oz and feature a leather upper rather than synthetic.

12. Ordering Online – Get it right

First off, we recommend checking out boots at a soccer store before buying – it offers you the ideal opportunity to really understand what the boots are about and store employees can be a very useful and knowledgeable resource (for the most part!)

If you decide to order online, do yourself a huge favor and don’t buy from an unknown source. We regularly get contacted from readers who have purchased from what looks like a legitimate source only to have a fake pair of boots show up, or in some cases no boots at all. Basically, stick to the well known US sites and don’t go trying to get an amazing deal through a site in China. Please read the following two incredible important posts to ensure you stay on track:

The sites we recommend checking out if you are in the market for new boots include:

13. They have arrived – breaking in your boots

Soccer Cleats Boxed

You now have your new pair of boots and are ready to wear them. Not so fast – don’t rush things. Taking time to break in new boots can prove invaluable for your feet and the life of the boots. Look to wear them for one or two jogging sessions at first to loosen up any stitching and allow the soleplate to flex into a more natural position with your feet. This will also decrease the potential of blisters. Having your tried and trusted boots on hand is extremely important as you wear your new boots. If you feel any sort of pressure or tight spot, switch out immediately. Don’t risk the potential of having your feet damaged and decreasing your performance. Take the opportunity to jog in them several times more and they should then be ready for game time. If after several wears you are still feeling some discomfort, the boots are probably not the right option for you.

14. Enjoy and treat them with respect!

Finally, maintenance is key to ensuring your boots live a solid life and perform with you through the good and bad days. The sign of a passionate player is the person who takes them out of there bag when they get home and offers them some personal care. You don’t have to buy the best cleaning products or spend hours nursing them.

[Also See: Taking Care of Your Boots]

All you need to do is take them out of their boot bag and let them air dry in a nice cool area, out of direct sunlight or heat. Once they have dried out, stuff them with some newspaper and put them back in your bag for the next game. If you have some leather food, I’m sure you boots wouldn’t mind if you paid them some extra attention!

About Bryan Byrne

The mastermind behind the revolution that is SoccerCleats101. Bryan started this website back in 2008 and has been testing boots on a daily basis ever since. Check out our About Page for more details on Bryan and the website.

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88 comments

  1. Great post. I coach young kids and I often hear them complain about the following:
    – Any suggestions to players who complain about their feet or boot getting too hot especially when playing on artificial grass?
    – Any suggestions about socks? Some players complain about shoes slipping, some about the sock is too hot or get too moist?
    – Best way to tie your shoes laces for soccer players? Some prefer long laces to go over the boot and some prefer short laces.

    • When it comes to the heat, I know from experience there is nothing worse and it really can impact your game. Newer boots with thin soleplates are going to cause problems and anything with carbon fiber will really heat things up. Look for boots with thicker insoles or boots that feature some sort of airflow technology.

      For socks, consider a pair of TRUSOX -> http://www.soccer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Me

      Don't get me started on laces! The ideal way is to take them right around the boot, and tie them above the tongue. But companies are continually shortening the laces up, which means there really aren't as many options now as of how to tie them.

      • Definitely agreed about TRUSOX. It's on the costly side of things, but I like to think I'm getting my money's worth with all the blisters it helps to prevent.

    • For boot heat, I've draped a cold rag over my boots at halftime, and it's given great relief. There's not much you can do on artificial grass other than getting your feet out of the sun for a few minutes.

      • If you're on artificial grass a lot try to get white or lighter colored boots, and stay away from hard rigid soleplates.

    • In terms of the heat, on turf it's just part of the game. But definitely the lighter the color of shoe, the less hot they're going to get.

      For socks, I've never tried Trusox, but I've heard that they're good. However, they're a bit pricey and you have to specially cut out part of the other socks you're wearing to wear Trusox. So, what I do is I just wear a pair of regular Nike ankle socks over my soccer socks, which works great.

      I always just lace my shoes up like any other shoe. These days most shoe laces aren't too long so it shouldn't be a problem.

  2. Excellent post. One of the best all-around boot guides out there.

    I have to say, in terms of wide feet, leather is the absolute best option. I have super wide feet (size 10.5 width, 8.5 length), and I've just stopped trying with any sort of synthetics, synthetic leather included.

  3. Matthew Vincent

    I have found that the conical studs like the the ones on the Copa Mundial are a bit slippery on hard ground surfaces when the field is really dry, and turf shoes work better for some of my teammates. For me, blades work better than conical studs in this situation, especially if there is a mix of tall grass and dry ground.

    Also, for some reason, there are very limited options for AG studs available at many retailers in the US, both in shops and online. Why is this? Turf shoes, while designed for the old fashioned Astro Turf, which is very short and firm, do not work as well on the newer AG surfaces, which is a bit longer, that we play "indoor" or "walled" soccer on (which btw is not recognized by FIFA- too much similarity to Hockey perhaps?)

    A turf shoe may not grab the surface as well, which can mean more slippage, but studs of any shape grab the AG too well, which, speaking from personal experience, can result in turned/rolled ankles. Often the old fashioned conical studs work well on AG, and in fact many indoor soccer facilities ban the use of anything but conical, or round molded studs, or turf shoes.

    Furthermore, looking at Soccer.com, they offer none of the new Predator LZ or the 1.0 versions in AG, while this is available for sale online at Pro Direct in Great Britain.
    Primarily on Nike's come in AG.

    Hmm…

  4. Another common mistake I've seen people make when it comes to getting the sizing right that are tangent of couple of these items is when a boot isn't wide enough they simply choose to go half size up and deem it "good enough". While this may help with the width problem, this just creates a problem elsewhere in length, often times one they choose to ignore.

    Do not be tempted!

    As someone with a very slightly wide foot, I've had my share of these tempting moments (Nike Vapors and Puma v1.11, for example). Move on and find something else! It sucks, I know, but when it comes to actually playing, fit and comfort should trump nearly everything else.

    edit:

    Also, when it comes to "wide feet", I feel people tend to generalize a bit too much. There are different types of wide feet – some people are wide at the forefoot (from ball of foot to other end); some people have fallen arches and it gives them wide mid-foot; some (rarely) have wide heels. It's important to understand what type of feet you have when asking strangers about boot recommendations.

  5. Where is that boot wall, it’s amazing!

  6. patricia jacobus

    Ok.. so my 13-year-old midfielder son has wide feet and in desperate need of a new pair of cleats. His shoe size is 6 – so not quite into the adult sizes. But he trains a lot, either on grass or turf. Any suggestions?

    • I would recommend the Adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 as they offer some additional space up toward the front of the boot. Also, go for the FG version if the turf he is playing on has a deep layering to it ie. it feels and looks like real grass!

    • I have had a similar "problem" throughout my footballing career. Adidas Copa Mundial is the answer. A tried and proven cleat that you can work into any shape yould like. Simply ask your son to shower with the cleats on for 15 min, three days in a row and they are good to go. Furthermore, they only get better the more he uses them.

      It apears to me that Adidas in general produce wider cleats than Nike, Puma and other brands.

  7. My son struggles with Severs (heel pain) when playing 3-4 days a week. Any suggestions on what shoes have good heel support with cushion.

    • Under Armour do a great job with their insoles and they provide plenty of cushion around the heel. You should check out something like the UA Hydrastrike. Another tip is to look at getting boots that feature a lower stud profile, so he is closer to the foot and more stable. Some boots have longer studs and that can sometimes add extra vibration as you strike the surface.

    • If the cleats are slightly spaceous, i would recomend rubber heelpads (can be found in most larger sportstores).

  8. "[J]ust make sure you are not choosing them for the right reason." The last line in the second paragraph under "1. Reality – Boots don’t make the player – but they help!," it makes no sense. It should have been "make sure you are choosing them for the right reason" or "make sure you are not choosing them for the wrong reason." (I personally prefer the former.)

  9. hey I'm in nyc, a lot of turf, artificial grass, etc. sometimes I'm not sure what is what. I have a pair of hg cleats and a pair of turf ones, can hg be used on artificial ? or are turf shoes a safer bet? I just want to be able to wear premium cleats when I play, since I can usually get them at a pretty good price. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

  10. Awesome.
    This is really helpful thanks guys.
    Got my new pair of boots. Really excited!

    And the reviews you guys do are great.
    Keep up the good work.
    I've recently started a blog of my own. Hope I can help people as much as you guys do.
    Thnx
    Hope I can he

  11. thnx for this post, its really helpful.
    really appreciate what you do to help people.
    i'm also starting a blog to help soccer enthusiasts.

  12. Please help me, I am really confused between Nike Egoli FG and Puma Evospeed 5. Please tell which pair is best?

  13. hi
    do you stock 1962 redeemer ag for the turf please size 8.5 us size

  14. Check out some of the new lines from Diadora. In my opinion they are coming back and have some cool designs. The DDNA's are an awesome lightweight boot and the Maracana is definitely my favorite from them so far.

  15. I’m looking for a boot for my little brother. I have absolutely no experience with this; I played football. He’s 10, but 5’1″ and built like a brick, he’ll probably be taller than his coach this season. Last season he wore a men’s size 5.5 Adidas Nitrocharge 3.0. This year he wears a men’s size 8.5-9 depending on the fit. He plays Special Olympics soccer due to some behavioral issues (which, I truly believe he will grow out of). He’s the youngest on his team, with players ranging from 10 to 21, with most of them being in the 14-16 range, I believe. He has fairly wide feet, it’s a family trait. I’m looking for a decent all-around boot hopefully under $120. He wants to be a forward, his coach will probably play him on defense. I’ve taken it upon myself to fill in gaps and help him to get to be a forward in the future. I’ve looked at the old standbys (Adidas Copa Mundial and adiPure, for instance) and they seem a nice choice. He’s 10, so he’ll probably (though he surprises me sometimes) want a bit of flashiness in his boots. Any other suggestions? How’s the Nike Tiempo Legacy?

    • If he likes and feels comfortable in the Nitrocharge 3.0 you could step him up to the 2.0, which can be purchased in flashy colors around the $100 mark. Nike are usually the ones to make the best mid-tier boots in the $100 to $120 range, so the likes of the Tiempo Legacy or Hypervenom Phatal (the latter is a wider fitting shoe).

  16. Interesting stuff.
    I have switched back to turf shoes on outdoor artifical turf as I felt that my feet were not stable when I cut, possibly due to my ripe age over 50.
    Now, I am thinking about wearing a size larger on my non-kicking foot which for some reason is larger than my kicking foot! I cannot wear the larger size on my kicking foot as it affects my accuracy.
    So, now I am here seeking advice or cautions or just any information. That is, the concept of wearing different sizes on my feet.

  17. i cant find a difference between warrior skreamer combat and s lite

    please i need informations

  18. A great article for choosing the right pair of cleats.Could you please recommend choosing cleats for flat-footed players?

  19. What shoe size should I get when buying soccer shoes? Should it be the same as my regular shoes? I got a pair of cleats that are 8.5. It seems too tight width wise. My toes aren’t touching the top of the boot.

    • Most players will select a half size down from their running shoes to get an extra snug fit. But the key is to find something that is comfortable for you, and for some players that means additional space to avoid blistering! A lot of boots do fit tight, so remember to read reviews and find out which boots have a wider fit.

  20. About the rule about sizing with your baby finger, should I have a baby fingers width standing up, with my weight flattening out my foot. Or do I do it sitting down without any weight on my foot?

  21. No boot will give you a noticibly more powerful shot.

  22. Any opinions about the Nike Women's Hypervenom Phelon FG boots? I'm playing on two soccer teams this year so I would need something that is durable and comfortable.

    • They are great a bit wide fitting perhaps but the cool bit is that. Once you wear them you get that barefoot feeling. Which I love. Not sure how durable it is ,

  23. When I wear my cleats there is a tiny gap between my thumb and the top of the cleat but when ever I put them on my thumb nail starts hurting , I continued to play like this and finall my thumb died 🙁 , so now I'm looking for a new shoe but I don't what size to buy them in , shuts I try getting them one size bigger ?

    • Yeah even I have the problem think it has something tondo with how hard you tie shoe laces
      I bought one size big recently but it still hurts if I tie my laces too hard

  24. I don’t play soccer, but this year I decided to play on the girls soccer team. I’m not even sure what cleats to get, and it’s really bugging me. Can you help me? Please.

    • Get what you think is your own style. (I have played soccer for 3 years)

    • Like the article said, buy the HG ( hard ground ) cleats. Just get a cheap pair of leather cleats until you know what you like, and waterproof them with shoes spray.

  25. I need help finding the right cleat for my daughter who has had 4 major sprains in 3 years. After reading several articles, it seems that she needs a wider shoe (although she does not have wide feet) and cleats that are spread apart and shorter. Any suggestions? She plays high school soccer, club soccer and hopes to play in college. She is a forward striker and usually has great power in her shot, but this ankle thing is killing her.

    • You should check out the Nike Hypervenom range of boots. I'd recommend the Phantom first and foremost (they are the high-end version) but you could also check out the Phatal. Both offer a wider forefoot and conical studs that are spread apart to distribute pressure, which it sounds like she might benefit from. Also, when looking for boots, consider boots with conical (round) studs and not blades. Blades tend to stick more in surfaces.

  26. Hi.. My 13 yr old daughter is in need of new pair of boots. We live in socal and play on both turf and grass. Her last pair were the nike bomba. She is a wing.. Very light & very fast. She loved her last shoes because she never had the heel pain she normally gets with studs. What can you recommend? Very serious athlete with high level of endurance as well as speed. Also small feet.. Last pair was youth sz 2.5. Prob can go up a 1/2 to full sz larger. Thanks for any help you can provide!!

  27. Hey I was just wondering if this site was legit or not because it has all the cleats that nike sells and they look exactly the same except that the prices are extremely low like they have Superfly IV’s for $119 and the URL is usasoccermall. Please get back to me because I want to know where to spend my money.

  28. I'm exploring boot options for my 6 year old. With the current trend of very thin materials I am right to be concerened about the lack of padding for he's feet when striking the ball or being stamped on. Also is there any research or truth in conical studs being safer for children then blades or the angular shaped studs on Adidas or Sondico for example.

    • Conical is definitely a better option as it causes less drag against the surface. In terms of protection, definitely look for something with some additional padding in the forefoot, like for example the Puma evoPOWER series.

  29. VERY HELPFUL I am in the process of finding a different pair of cleats and have been using this site for reviews.

  30. El Clasico is unquestionably the largest sport in the football.

    View El Clasico 2014 Deal with HD streaming. Hold your beverages prepared folks.

  31. if i am a 7 in regular shoes, what will be my size in in cleats?

    • It will depend, but if you wear 7 in running shoes (with some extra room up top) you are likely to be a 6.5 in soccer shoe. But honestly, the best way to find out is try some on at a store.

  32. I am a 17 years old goalkeeper. I’m only 5 feet 8 inch so I’m short. I need to be very fast and dive higher. Which type of shoes should i have.? Give some examples please!

    • It's the muscles in your legs that help you dive & get faster, nothing to do with your shoes.

      * Check the boots are the correct stud pattern for the correct surface. Wear FG on wet, soft ground and you'll slip, SG on hard ground and you'll be in great pain. Check that first.

      * Next is comfort and fit. Go to a store & try boots on, try leather, kanga-lite and a synthetic, from different brands. Find which fit your feet best and feel the most comfortable.

      * Examples of shoes with good reputations for comfort: Adidas Copa Mundial, Mizuno Morelia, Nike Tiempo Legend, Umbro Speciali, Puma King, Nike Maestri & Trequartista.

  33. hey, im hear because i have a mortons toe, and im just wondering, is there any soccer player that has a mortons toe, because i do, and someday i might want to be one, and so im just wondering is it good for soccer, to have a mortons toe. or is it not?But usualy when i play, i dont do so bad, accuracy is not that bad.

  34. GREAT article!
    Thanks for the info!

  35. Looking to find an appropriate cleat for my daughter. To her strengths, she is quite quick and able to turn on a dime. Problem is, when the ground is slightly soft, she loses traction while cornering. She will throw a nice divot and slip. Now that she is starting to get a lot stronger, it can be a real problem. Firm ground does not seem to be a problem in this area.

    It seems that a second pair is on order.

    Size is 39-40.

    Any recommendations on type?

  36. Hey there I’m not sure if it’s me or simply your web site but it is starting slowly , it took me for a minute
    or so in order to load up however gmail operates completely .
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  37. Hi All,

    I’ve just gotten back to soccer and got a used pair of cleats. Fit is good but under foot support feels flat like there is nothing between my feet and the ground. I am VERY particular about all my footwear and typically it for good and soft arch support. Can I expect this in certain cleat brands?

    Thanks,

    Duke

  38. My grandson 7 years was given soccer shoes that are at least a size and a half to big for him.. He has his first game yesterday and has been complaining of pain in his feet. I'm concerned it's from the shoes not fitting him correctly. Could that be true? Or is it he just has not planned since last year?

    • Definitely part of the problem. In similar fashion to regular everyday shoes, they need to be the right size in order for him to be comfortable AND be able able to perform to his potential. It can be costly buying boots to fit as he grows, but it is worth it if he is to excel (and enjoy) playing the game!

  39. Hi, I am having problem of which one of magista or hypervenom phelon shoe whold fit me best.
    I am playing left middfilder (more offense then defense) in our 4-4-2 system. I am an type of player that use my fast accelration, agility and sense of play to get behind the defender. Make quickly stops, twist and turn to get more in the middle of the field to make the crossball or get it in the goal area. Ofcourse I go for the goal to but I do more assist than score goals. So which one of these 2 shoes fit my type of play best?
    Best regards Victor
    Please come back to me at my mail [email protected]

  40. Hi I don't know what to do it seems like a can't take a good shot in shoes it effects me so much in a game

  41. Hey! I play on an turf indoor field (very tall and slippery turf) every week, what's a good boot for me?
    I'm a size 11.5 and my foot is an average width.

  42. I like soccer boots

  43. If they are playing on the fake grass surface, which kind of boots suitable?

  44. If they are a little big, soak in water, dry them and the leather will shrink then after two games , the leather will stretch and fit like gloves. This also the quick way to break in new leather cleats.

    For the heat, I use insoles, my are athletic insoles $30, but I been wearing them for 15 years they they feel as good as new. They have lots of air pockets to circulate heat and moisture. I had many $5 pair but they were in garbage after two months.

    IMO, leather cleats are my choice, my cleats are 7 years old, they feel like second skin layer. Just spray shoes waterproof wax or silicone over them, $6 for a spay can at Walmart.

  45. thanks buddy for these kind of great advises,often problems arise when there is no proper guidance, once again thanks for all

  46. I have narrow feet and a high arch. I'm having a hard time finding good cleats. I play midfield to which doesn't help my situation. The Nike magistas where awesome but they are to wide. Does anyone have some suggestions.

  47. I have already been playing competetive soccer for. 2 years, and I have very wide feet. Would the new adidas x , new balance furon, or nike hypervenom/magista suit me?

  48. We got soccer is the worst customer service i encountered. Talking about the only store i dealt with which is located in Foxboro, MA. Bought Mundial Goal from them, they got torn after maybe 5 games, i went back to return it or exchange it, they did not take any responsibility (less than two months old)…I contacted Adidas, they refunded the whole amount + shipping and I bought another one from a different store. They are great, that's all i wear for indoor soccer, but never again from Wegot soccer!

    • I'm not trying to defend WeGotSoccer, and I appreciate your feedback. But, when the boots are worn there is more responsibility on the brand than retail store to replace them. A lot of retailers will take the same stance if they see wear and tear on a boot, basically to stop more people from doing it. Glad to hear adidas stepped up and replaced them for you, though!

  49. Delaney Anderson

    Why are there so few soccer cleat and turf shoe options for girls? Almost as many girls play soccer in the United States as boys but there are far less options for females. Especially, when it comes to higher quality soccer shoes. So many girls are forced to buy men’s soccer shoes and not get the right fit. Men’s shoes are wider than girls’ shoes. My sister and I play club and high school soccer. It’s so hard to find a good pair of cleats or turf shoes without ordering a men’s pair that is to wide in the toe area. It’s 2018….. let’s start giving female athletes more respect.

    • I 100% agree, and I think Nike do also. They are starting to push female boot releases. Also interesting to note that now they list mens and womens sizes on their boxes, so at least it gives some indication of how the mens version fits compared to womens.

  50. A turf shoe may not grab the surface as well, which can mean more slippage, but studs of any shape grab the AG too well, which, speaking from personal experience, can result in turned/rolled ankles. Often the old fashioned conical studs work well on AG, and in fact many indoor soccer facilities ban the use of anything but conical, or round molded studs, or turf shoes.

  51. Thanks for writing this comprehensive guide for buying soccer cleats. I didn’t choose the right size the last time I bought a pair of cleats. The cleats I purchased were the same size as my regular shoes, but I couldn’t understand why I felt so uncomfortable playing on the soccer cleats. Can’t we use the regular shoe size on soccer cleats?

  52. Just came across this excellent article, but have an issue that’s not covered. I find that my soccer shoes are very comfortable for the first 10 – 20 times I use them before the cheap -thin – insoles wear out – and the front of my foot and balls of my feet become sore. I’ve tried using aftermarket insole replacements (low volume?), but they’re all too thick in the boot, leaving little room in the front. Finally, I’m forced to use turf shoes on grass when it’s dry (because all of the small studs distribute the pressure well), but wish I could find a true soccer boot solution instead and when the ground is wet. If only Adidas and Nike would sell the thin insole replacements. Know of any boot brands that do, or any other suggestions? Thanks very much.

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