A list of the best looking soccer cleats ever made: which is your favourite?

A list of the best looking soccer cleats ever made: which is your favourite?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM

Shopping for the best-looking soccer cleats can take more time and effort for some people. It is, therefore, worth doing some research before committing to a specific one. Players have different needs and preferences, depending on what works well for them. This article highlights some of the best-looking soccer cleats of all time and why football professionals prefer them.

Best-looking soccer cleats of all time
Cristiano Ronaldo unveils his new Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II boots inside Battersea Power Station on 24 February 2010 in London, England. Photo: Christopher Lee
Source: Getty Images

Soccer cleats refer to footwear worn by players when playing. They are small protrusions on the bottom of the shoe, also known as studs. Cleats provide traction for the player as they move around the field. A good one should have a firm grip between a player's feet and the ground to avoid falling.

What are the best soccer cleats in the world?

Studs have different surfaces suitable for specific grounds, like firm and soft, artificial grass, astroturf and indoor courts. Meanwhile, some are designed for multiple uses, meaning players can wear them on any surface.

Which brand of soccer cleats is best?

Best looking soccer cleats in 2023
A Brazil staff fixing goalkeeper Ederson's studs during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G match against Cameroon at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on 2 December 2022. Photo: Nelson Almeida
Source: Getty Images

Over the years, several brands have emerged as leaders in the industry, manufacturing the coolest-looking soccer cleats. Nike, Adidas, Umbro, and Puma are among the famous manufacturers.

What are the best soccer cleats in 2023?

Here is a breakdown of the top ten best-looking soccer cleats ever and their features. Many famous soccer stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar use them on duty.

10. Adidas Predator Accuracy+

Best-looking Adidas soccer cleats
Takumi Minamino of Liverpool used the Adidas Predator boots during their Premier League match against Southampton at Anfield on 27 November 2021 in Liverpool, England. Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt
Source: Getty Images

Predator Accuray+ is one of the best-looking Adidas soccer cleats, providing a great overall option for firm ground. Its upper part is designed with care to help elevate your dribbling and control skills. The shoe has an excellent grip, solid stud configuration, and a laceless finish. Other Adidas Predator brands with suitable studs include Precision FG and Precision Edge.

9. Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Club

Best-looking nike soccer cleats
Nike Mercurial Vapor shoes on the pitch during a Serie A football match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona. Photo: Andrea Staccioli
Source: Getty Images

The Vapor 15 comes in new baltic blue, white, and pink blast colours. It has a central lacing system design and a soleplate for quick release off the ground. The studs are ideal for pacy footballers.

8. Adidas X Speedportal (1 and 2)

The Speedportal brand has a pair of cleats that offer players explosive pace. The shoes come with a prime knit collar and TPU heel lock with extra studs on the forefoot to facilitate instant reactions. Another added advantage is its lightweight design.

7. New Balance 442 v2 Pro

What are the best soccer cleats in the world?
The New Balance football boots of Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match against Everton FC at Goodison Park on 4 February 2023 in Liverpool, UK. Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt
Source: Getty Images

The shoes have soft suede lining and high-performance studs complimenting the attached, lightweight nylon plate. Furon 442 v2 Pro also has a classic leather boot look and gives a feeling of direct contact with the ball and ground. Its upper constitutes K-leather for a clean and smooth finish.

6. Diadora Brasil Elite 2 MPH

The water-resistant leather shoes are one of the best soft ground cleats in 2023. Its upper lining helps stop the cleat from warping out of shape. The soft-grounded soleplate provides perfect traction on smooth surfaces. Diadora Brasil Elites also allows players to change the studs.

5. Nike Phantom GT2 Academy

What are the best soccer cleats?
Nike Phantom GT2 Elite boots worn by Jack Grealish of Manchester City during their Premier League match against Norwich City at Etihad Stadium on 21 August 2021 in Manchester. Photo: Michael Regan
Source: Getty Images

Phantom GT2 is one of the best-looking Nike soccer cleats in the market engineered for speed. Its unique stud layout provides supercharged traction for a pivot. The shoe also has texture on the synthetic upper, allowing players to control the ball better when dribbling at high speed. It is also easy to clean.

4. Puma Future 1.4

Coolest-looking soccer cleats
Puma Future soccer boots of Neymar Jr of PSG during their Ligue 1 match against Stade Brestois 29 at Stade Francis Le Ble on 23 May 2021 in Brest, France. Photo: John Berry
Source: Getty Images

Puma Future 1.4, popularly worn by Neymar Jr and James Maddison, ranks among the best-looking soccer cleats in 2023. The shoes have a stunning Parisian Night and Pistachio colourway. Their engineered creator zones help players improve their accuracy in dribbling, shooting, and passing.

3. Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Elite

The Nike brand has a soft, cushioned interior and forefoot, enabling players to dribble, pass, and shoot effectively. It is ideal for creative soccer stars. Tiempo Legend 9 Elite stud formations and design are suitable for quick cuts and sharper stops.

2. Puma Ultra Match

Which brand of soccer cleats is best?
Puma Ultra 1.1 FG football boots seen ahead of the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on 31 October 2020 in Sheffield, England. Photo: Tim Keeton
Source: Getty Images

The Ultra Match shoes have a grippy upper and an ultra-fast TPU Speedplate outsole designed for optimal traction. They are excellent brands of studs for maintaining speed on artificial ground. Puma Ultra Match also has a soft knitted low collar for comfort.

1. Adidas Goletto VIII

What is the most popular cleat at the World Cup?
Adidas Goletto VIII has one of the best studs in the industry that provides comfort. Photo: @polako_skate_shop
Source: Instagram

Adidas Goletto VIII have old-school soccer studs design. It has a rubber outsole providing the best traction and comfort. Besides, the shoes come with a lightweight synthetic upper and a classic monochrome colourway.

What is the lightest soccer cleat in the world?

Generally, the Puma Ultra SL Tech is considered the lightest football boot ever made. The shoes, released in 2021, weigh 90 grams! It edged out the Adidas F50 Adizero released in 2015, weighing 99 grams.

What type of soccer cleats do the pros wear?

What type of soccer cleats do the pros wear?
Paris Saint-Germain stars training ahead of their UEFA Champions League group H match against Juventus at Camp des Loges on 5 September 2022 in Paris, France. Photo: Aurelien Meunier
Source: Getty Images

Soccer stars wear a wide range of different studs depending on their sponsors. Many professionals wear new cleats every game and only change them when the boots wear and tear. Here is a list of famous footballers and their preferred boots.

Player

Boots

Cristiano Ronaldo

Nike Mercurial Superfly VIII Elite

Lionel Messi

Adidas Nemeziz 19+

Robert Lewandowski

Nike Phantom VNM

Neymar

Puma Future Z

Kylian Mbappe

Nike Mercurial Superfly VIII Elite

Luke Modric

Nike Mercurial Vapor 14

Erling Haaland

Nike Mercurial Vapor 14

Sergio Ramos

Adidas Copa 20.1

Kevin De Bruyne

Nike Phantom GT Elite DF

Karim Benzema

Adidas X Ghosted.1

Nike's Mercurial boots were the most popular in the 2022 FIFA World Cup because of the players who wore them. French star Kylian Mbappe had a pair of Mercurial Superfly that he used to score eight goals in the tournament. Brazilian Richarlison and Enner Valencia of Ecuador also had the shoes, scoring three goals each.

Argentina's Lionel Messi used the Adidas X Speedportal alongside his teammate Julián Álvarez and Rafael Leão of Portugal. Phantom GT 2 was another popular shoe used by Gonçalo Ramos of Portugal.

Getting the best-looking soccer cleats is every player's dream. Having the right ones will make you comfortable and enhance your game. From our list above, you can find something to suit your needs.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.