7 Come in low, mid, and high versions in 2023
Athletic brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour release numerous football cleats Collar fits tight.
We have tested several 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, 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.
Best football cleats overall
Other skill positions?
Pros
- Dependable grip
- Nice shoe quality
- High levels of comfort
- Built for speed and agility
- No-frills foot containment
- Fairly resistant to abrasion
- Pretty lightweight
- Modern streamlined look
Cons
- Not for players with wide feet
- Has to be broken in
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Best football cleats for quarterbacks
Other skill positions?
Pros
- Great traction
- Superb comfort
- Fits true to size
- Sufficient lockdown
- less responsive striking area
- Light
- Consider your playing position
- Ideal for quick cuts
- Nice bounce
Cons
- Noticeable wear after a few months
- Built for speed and agility
- Thin insoles
- Heavy
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Best football cleats for linemen
Other skill positions?
Pros
- Excellent football cleat
- Great product
- No-frills foot containment
- Provides extra support
- Outstanding fit
- Nike Force Savage Elite 2
- Dope look
Cons
- Too hot during sunny days
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Best football cleats for wide receivers
Other skill positions?
Pros
- Superb comfort
- Flexible
- Fits true to size
- less responsive striking area
- Springy midsole
- Best for linemen
- Light
- Breathable upper
- Excellent lockdown
- Not for players with wide feet
Cons
- Modern streamlined look
- Easily gets dirty
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Best high-top football cleats
Other skill positions?
Pros
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Reliable grip
- Comfortable footbed
- are usually just lows
Cons
- Narrow
- No breathability
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Football cleats with the best aesthetic
Other skill positions?
Pros
- Retro style
- Stand out design on
- Perfect fit
- Comfortable
- Great traction
- Great quality cleat
Cons
- Feel a little narrow
- A little heavy
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Comparison of the 7 best football Cleats
+ + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | + + Affords flexibility given changing surfaces, playing style, and weather conditions | |
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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.
Low-top football cleats are lightweight and allow maximum maneuverability. |
Soft muddy surfaces. |
are lightweight and allow maximum maneuverability 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.
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 — Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360. |
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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 |
typical football cleats have the following characteristics |
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 |
numerous football cleats |
⅜ inch |
Normal surfaces that have been played on numerous times |
¾ inch |
Great for speed players |
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.
See to it that the cleats fit you well. 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.
Football Cleats |
Soccer Cleats |
heavier |
lighter |
come in 3 types: high, mid, and low |
Why trust us |
has a toe stud |
Best for linemen |
less responsive striking area |
Get dirty really fast |
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.
Needs time to break in. 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.
How we test football Cleats
What we initially do is buy all the football cleats we plan to test. For the record, we are not backed by any brands and no one has to approve our reviews before publishing. In other words: we use our own money in obtaining the cleats.
Next, we have fun with the cleats. We use them in football games on a playing field or pitch. As much as possible, we do various movements in them while playing so we can accumulate as much data as we need, especially about their durability, traction, and speed.
That's not the entirety of it! We also do some lab tests which measure or rate 30+ parameters. One example is determining how durable the cleats are by applying Dremel with different attachments to their upper, outsole, and heel padding. Lastly, we cut the cleats into pieces to further see what's inside.