How to Buy the Best Football Cleats
Traction, speed, and agility are critical for every football player, so the cleats you wear are an essential piece of equipment on the gridiron. Your footing impacts every level of play, from cutting past defenders to providing the proper footing to throwing a perfect pass. Because the right pair of football cleats can impact your comfort and performance, it’s crucial to understand what to look for when buying them.
The best football cleats for you largely depend on your position. Some players need extra leverage and support to block and tackle, while others need cleats that allow for agility and explosive movements. It’s important to get a pair of cleats that improves your performance in the right areas. With this in mind, we've created this guide to help you find the best pair of football cleats.
Comparing Football Cleats to Other Sports Cleats
Though it’s easy to assume one pair of cleats will work for any sport, every pair of cleats is built specifically for one sport, with features to match the intended surface and the movements common to that sport.
Football cleats are built to provide stability and help you make sharp, sudden movements on the field. They’re typically heavier and more supportive than other types of cleats. Their studs are only made from rubber or hard plastic because metal spikes can injure other players.
Football Cleats vs. Baseball Cleats: Like football cleats, baseball cleats are built for sharp cuts and pivots. However, they’re typically much lighter because they aren’t designed to protect against impacts like football cleats are. Their soles are usually molded rubber or plastic, with smaller studs or spikes for better traction. Like football cleats, they have toe studs for extra stability. Many have metal spikes, which are unsafe and not allowed on the gridiron.
Football Cleats vs. Soccer Cleats: Soccer cleats are built almost entirely for speed. They’re extremely light, which improves speed and endurance at the cost of stability, and their narrow shape helps with quick turns. Their uppers are often made with thick, flexible leather to stand up against repeated contact with the ball. They don’t have toe studs for safety reasons. The soles of their cleats tend to have more spikes or studs to get the most traction possible.
What are Some Important Features to Look for in Football Cleats?
When you're shopping for a pair of football cleats, it helps to break it down into the relevant features and factors that can affect your position's performance. Here's what you should keep an eye on as you look for your next pair of cleats:
The Right Cleats for the Position You Play
Your position determines how you’ll use your football cleats, so it’s the first thing to consider. Each type of cleat helps support a specific kind of performance, so it’s important to pick a pair that gives you what you need. A running back won’t need as much traction as a lineman, while a quarterback will need a stable base to get the most out of their pass.
Your position will dictate how much support you require and the optimal spike length. For example, cleats for linemen have higher ankle support and longer spikes to help them dig in and hold their ground. On the other hand, cleats for skill positions are lightweight and have shorter spikes that won’t get caught on the ground during quick cuts. Cleats for kickers are specialized to aid with precision kicking and are very similar to soccer cleats.
Type of Football Cleats: High-Cut vs. Mid vs. Low
Football cleats are available in high-cut, mid-cut, and low-cut designs. This represents how high the shoe’s collar rises. High-cut collars rise slightly above the ankle, while mid and low-cut collars fall below it.
High-cut, or high-top, cleats offer the most ankle support, stability, and protection, but they’re a little heavier than other styles. Because of their height, they can also have less mobility than lower collars. Low-cut cleats are the opposite, improving mobility at the cost of support. Mid-cut collars strike a balance, making them ideal for those needing support and agility. Let’s break it down a bit more:
High-Cut Cleats: Great for linemen, who need support and protection but not speed.
Low-Cut Cleats: A good pick for receivers and cornerbacks, who need to make quick, explosive movements.
Mid-Cut Cleats: The best option for quarterbacks, who need stability to complete passes and speed to avoid tackles.
Cleat Material: Rubber vs. Plastic
Football cleats have studs made of either rubber or plastic, each with its own advantages. Rubber football cleats offer good traction on dry surfaces and can be more comfortable. That said, they can wear down relatively quickly and tend to offer less support than plastic cleats. For intense competitive play, plastic cleats are often better.
Plastic cleats are lightweight and offer lots of support and traction. They’re usually more durable, and can usually last an entire season when properly maintained.
As you browse your options, think of the last season and the conditions you found yourself playing in. Consider how much support you need and how long your cleats have lasted previously. This can help you determine whether rubber or plastic cleats would be best for you.
Styles of Cleats: Detachable vs. Molded Cleats
Molded cleats have hard plastic studs or spikes permanently attached to the outsole of the shoe. Their rigid construction makes them stable and supportive. Their studs vary in length and location depending on the position they’re designed for, as well as whether they’re made for wet or dry ground. They're generally easy to maintain.
Detachable cleats are football cleats with points on the sole to screw in or snap on the studs of your choice. This offers an added layer of versatility, as you can adjust the same pair of shoes to match a variety of surfaces and conditions.
Playing Surface
Your playing field might be natural grass or artificial turf. The surface area can play a key role in what cleat material and style of cleat you can use.
Cleats made for turf football fields have small nubs or treads instead of spikes, which improve traction on artificial surfaces. Their studs offer improved traction on turf without damaging the surface.
Football players who play on natural grass fields usually choose molded cleats with permanently attached studs. These have plastic studs that dig into the soil for better traction. Their hard plastic construction also makes them more durable than turf cleats. If you expect to play on rainy days, consider also getting a pair of molded cleats designed for soft ground, which have longer spikes to help them dig in better. Avoid using molded cleats on turf.
If you expect to play on both surface types, consider a pair of cleats with detachable studs that allow you to change between soft studs and hard spikes based on the surface you’re playing on.
Comfort & Support: How Cleats Should Fit
It's important for your cleats to feel as natural on your feet as any other shoe. The fit of your football cleats should be comfortable enough to wear for an extended period of time, but shouldn’t make you feel weighed down.
Your football cleats should be snug, but not tight, with a sock-like fit. If this is your first pair of football cleats, it's best to try on various sizes and styles, if possible, to determine what feels best. In general, your football cleat size should match your shoe size, but if you’re between sizes, a good rule of thumb is to size up. You can always add an extra pair of socks, but cleats that are too tight may cause blisters and discomfort. This is especially important if you have wide feet, as tight shoes are a common source of discomfort during games. We recommend looking for breathable cleats with padded insoles for extra comfort.
Make sure to break in football cleats before you wear them onfield. Cleats that aren’t broken in may be stiff and uncomfortable, reducing your stability and performance.
Durability
Football cleats can take a lot of abuse, so make sure to get a pair that can stand up to the wear and tear of the gridiron. Look for cleats with reinforced stitching, durable materials, and sturdy soles. Ultimately, the goal is to buy football cleats that will last at least the entire season, if not longer. It’s also important to consider the material your football cleats are made of.
Materials: Synthetic vs. Leather Cleats
Football cleats are most often made of synthetic materials or mesh. They can also be made from leather. Each has its benefits and drawbacks for performance and durability.
Leather football cleats are popular for their durability, breathability, and overall comfort once they’re broken in. However, they tend to be a bit heavier than synthetic cleats and may take longer to break in. They also need to be cleaned and conditioned regularly with specialized leather care products to maintain their overall quality.
Synthetic football cleats are usually lighter and more breathable than leather cleats, and they’re often treated for improved water resistance or flexibility as well. Synthetic cleats can be fairly easy to maintain.
The best material option also depends on your position. Linemen tend to gravitate toward leather cleats for their support and durability, while players who need speed tend to prefer synthetics for their reduced weight. Whether you prefer leather or synthetic cleats, proper maintenance is important to make them last. Cleaning your cleats regularly can do wonders for their lifespan.
Style & Color
The last factor you should consider is the style and color of your football cleats. Once you've narrowed your search, review your options, and see what colors or patterns reflect you as a player. You may also have to consider your team's colors and the general direction or guidance your coaches provide.
Football Cleat Shopping Tips
Now that you know the important features to look for, use this list as a reference point as you consider your options:
- Player position will determine the best kind of cleat for you (low-cut, mid, or high).
- Your playing surface can also narrow your search between turf shoes, molded cleats, or detachable cleats.
- Your football cleats should fit snugly, but not feel like they’re weighing you down.
- The durability of your football cleats depends on the materials you select (synthetic or leather), as well as how well you maintain them.
- Lastly, the style and color should match your team colors and reflect who you are as a player.
Cleaning & Maintain Cleats
To get the most value out of your cleats, you want them to last as long as possible. Maintaining their durability through regular cleaning and conditioning is a must. It’s best to clean your cleats after every practice and every game, especially if you play in muddy conditions. Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or abrasives, which may damage the materials.
To clean your cleats, start by tapping them together to remove any dirt or debris stuck to the spikes. Next, brush them off with a soft brush to remove loose dust. Take out any removable parts like laces and insoles, hand-wash them separately, and let them air dry completely.
The next step depends on the material of your cleats. If you have synthetic cleats, wipe them off with a cloth soaked in cold or lukewarm water and gentle soap or detergent, then rinse with a separate wet cloth. Let them air out until they’re completely dry.
On the other hand, if you have leather cleats, you’ll need specialized cleaning products. Instead of getting them wet, apply a special leather cleaner with a dry cloth. Next, rub them with a leather conditioner to keep them soft and flexible.
If you have detachable cleats, take the time to remove each stud or spike and clean it individually. In addition, make sure to clean any holes the spikes might screw into.
Get Ready for the Gridiron
Performance on the field starts with stable footing, so your choice of cleats is crucial to your gameplay. From the studs to the materials, make sure to get a pair of football cleats that meet the demands of your position and will keep you dominating all season long.