With Madden 22 in full swing, you may be inspired to pick up one of the best American footballs and go and try your hand at the sport, but to do that, you’ll need to find the best football cleats to keep you gripped to the field.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks, based on, features, price, and reviews, to help you find the perfect footwear to take your game to the next level.
Whether you’re looking for something built for speed, like the Under Armour Spotlight Lux MC, or you’re searching for something lightweight, like the adidas Adizero 5-Star, we’ve got you covered right here.
We’ve also included some of the latest football cleat news which we’ll keep updated with new information as and when it arrives.
Best Football Cleats 2021
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Best All-Round Football Cleats – Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3
Brand: Nike | Material: Flywire Mesh | Closure: Lace-Up
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Nike is a global brand synonymous with American football as they supply a large majority of the kit and equipment you see on TV.
They also manufacture what is likely to be one of the most versatile and comfortable pairs of football cleats on the market in Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3.
First and foremost, these cleats are built for acceleration with their strategically placed moulds designed to help you change direction and pace with ease.
Team this with the lightweight knitted upper and carbon fibre plate, and you end up with a seriously lightweight and comfortable boot which should maximise your performance on the field.
You also get the high sock-like collar for additional support around your ankles, thus making these cleats a great option to consider for all positions.
If you’re after more footwear from Nike, check out our list of the best soccer boots and running shoes right here.
Best Football Cleats For Speed – Under Armour Spotlight Lux MC
Brand: Under Armour | Material: ThreadLock Knit and TPU Yarns | Closure: Lace-Up
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If you consider yourself somewhat of a pace merchant like Tyreek Hill, then the Under Armour Spotlight Lux could be the cleat for you.
ThreadLock technology combines a traditional knit with melted TPU yarns to produce, as Under Armour boasts, a lightweight, breathable, and supportive upper, perfect for speed.
Also, being low-cut, these cleats should be unrestrictive and the ideal footwear for quick turns in pace.
It’s also worth mentioning the SuperFoam insole is designed to provide optimal shock absorption and comfort, thus making these boots a great option to consider for game days.
Best Football Cleats On A Budget – Nike Vapor Edge Shark
Brand: Nike | Material: Synthetic | Closure: Lace-Up
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As featured in our list of the best football cleats under 100, the Nike Vapor Edge Shark boots look to be a great budget pick if you’re just starting out in the sport.
These cleats are designed to be versatile and durable with their strong but lightweight synthetic upper which should fit tight to your foot, thus minimising the chance of slipping.
Moreover, Nike boasts its Fastflex technology allows for a superb combination of responsiveness and flexibility which, with the addition of the aggressive rubber outsole, should help you with explosive speed on the gridiron.
On the whole, the Vapor Edge Shark‘s make for a great affordable cleat option to help you replicate some of the moves you watch on TV.
Best Football Cleats For Wide Feet – Under Armour Highlight MC
Brand: Under Armour | Material: Textile and Synthetic | Closure: Lace-Up
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If you find regular football cleats are too narrow, then these Under Armour Highlight MC‘s could be the ones for you.
This is because they utilise a molded 4D foam footbed which, Under Armour boasts, conforms to the exact shape of your feet, helping to eliminate slippage and reduce built-up pressure.
Moreover, the engineered synthetics are strategically zoned in the upper to provide both breathability and stability where you need it most which is vital given their extremely high collar.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a high-quality football cleat to deliver a comfortable fit, then the Highlight MC‘s are well worth considering in our opinion.
Best Football Cleats For Linemen – Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2
Brand: Nike | Material: Flyknit | Closure: Lace-Up and Strap
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Linemen are known for their bursts of speed and quick, twisting moves, therefore, they require cleats that offer fantastic traction with extra ankle stability.
These Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2 cleats appear to tick these boxes as they come with lightweight Flyknit construction, plus data-generated outsole plates for added stability and flexibility for a responsive feel and reliable support.
Moreover, they come with a heel strap with hook-and-loop closure which should help to keep your feet locked in and comfortable whilst in a game.
All in all, these cleats are engineered with linemen in mind and are made by one of the leading manufacturers in sports equipment, Nike.
Best Lightweight Football Cleats – adidas Adizero 5-Star
Brand: adidas | Material: SPRINTSKIN | Closure: Lace-Up
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If you’re looking for a lightweight sneaker that still offers a ton of ankle support, then the mid-top adidas Adizero 5-Star could be the cleat for you.
The upper is made from adidas’ lightweight SPRINTSKIN, which is then combined with SHOCKWEB to further reduce the weight.
On top of that, you get an anatomically molded EVA insole which, adidas boasts, provides perfect comfort throughout the entirety of an American football game.
Overall, we feel the Adizero 5-Star is an excellent choice if you’re after a lightweight cleat for on-the-field performance.
Best Football Cleats For Support – adidas Freak X Carbon Mid
Brand: adidas | Material: Mesh and Synthetic | Closure: Lace-Up
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The Freak X Carbon football cleat looks to be a great example of one of the leading brands in sports expertise.
What we like about this boot, in particular, is that it comes with a breathable mesh upper which has the added benefit of being flexible to help minimise any restriction to your movement.
On top of that, you get adidas’ IronSkin plus RazorFrame across the shoe’s body to stiffen the Freak X Carbon for added protection and pressure resistance, plus a mid-top collar for additional ankle support.
It’s also worth pointing out you get internal cushion pods on the tongue to help ensure a secure lockdown, which is another reason why we think these cleats are worth considering.
Latest Football Cleats News
With football cleats constantly evolving and improving, we’ve decided to discuss some of the latest news surrounding them so you’re completely in the loop with the most recent announcements.
PUMA Collaborate With BMW On A Pair Of ULTRA 1.4 Boots
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Although perhaps primarily built for soccer, these BMW x PUMA boots are certainly worth noting in your diaries as they feature a rather unique design.
The lightweight ULTRACut upper comes dressed in white with a number of red, blue, and navy graphics acting as a contrast whilst matching the BMW M Motorsport logo on the lateral side.
A release date is currently unknown; however, it’s estimated that these cleats may arrive around May 2022, 50 years after BMW launched its M Motorsport division.
Georgia Artist Paints Cleats Of Atlanta Falcons Rookie Kyle Pitts
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Record-breaking Atlanta rookie Kyle Pitts has had custom cleats painted for his Pro Bowl debut by Falcons’ artist Kenny Osuwah.
The design combines orange and blue on a pair of Jordan cleats over a white base, and some of Pitts’ achievements are hand-written around the toebox.
While these cleats won’t be released to the general public, we feel the design deserved to be featured here.
Leaked Images Have Surfaced Of New adidas Predator Cleats
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The adidas Predator range is more commonly associated with soccer; however, the high collar height on the upcoming “Geometric” boots should make them a great pick for American football as well.
In terms of the design, the uppers are incredibly colourful and feature a random assortment of geometric shapes which gives them their name.
The release date is currently scheduled for 14 February, but we’ll keep you updated in case any further news is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football Cleats
With so many football cleats available, you may have a few questions about what makes each of them stand out, but don’t worry because we’re here to clear up a few of the most common queries.
Can I Wear Soccer Boots For American Football?
While soccer boots and American football cleats may appear similar at first glance, there are a few minor differences that make each of them the optimal footwear for their particular sport.
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For example, soccer boots tend to be low cut and don’t include a midsole to help maximise ball control and speed by reducing weight.
American football cleats, on the other hand, can be low, medium, or high cut and typically feature thicker outsoles and a stud near the big toe for added traction when you accelerate from a static position.
With that being said, you should find wearing soccer cleats to play American football perfectly fine and safe as the differences between them are small.
In fact, kickers often wear soccer boots due to the shape being designed primarily for kicking.
How Should Football Cleats Fit?
Football cleats are designed to fit snuggly around your feet to reduce slipping, but shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t wiggle your toes.
As mentioned in our guide to how basketball shoes should fit, Clarks recommend you leave about one finger’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of your shoe.
We believe this should be applied to football cleats as well because you want to ensure your toes have enough room to move freely to avoid lateral compression.
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With that being said, football cleats should fit true-to-size, but it may be worth measuring your foot’s dimensions and comparing your readings to a size guide or chart to help ensure you’re selecting the right size for you.
Do You Need To Break In Football Cleats?
Cleats are an essential piece of equipment for a football game, and you’ll no doubt want to be as comfortable as possible throughout a fixture.
As a result, you might want to break in your cleats before game day arrives to prevent discomfort from affecting your performance.
One of the easiest methods to do this is to simply put them on and start walking around in them on soft ground to loosen up the materials in order to make them more comfortable.
Do Football Cleats Need Maintaining?
Football cleats will no doubt take a lot of punishment out on the field, so it’s important to keep them in good condition in between games so you’re ready for your next fixture.
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We’d recommend regularly cleaning your cleats, particularly on the underside, to remove any mud and dirt which may impact your levels of grip.
To clean the uppers, cool water and a small amount of soap applied gently using a soft-bristled brush should remove most of the dirt that’s accumulated over the course of a game.
If you’re cleats come with metal studs, then these may need replacing when they’ve become significantly worn for your safety, and for the safety of others on the field.
How Much Should You Spend On Football Cleats?
Much like the best soccer boots under 100, American football cleats can vary drastically in price, making it hard to know how much you need to speed to get a good quality pair.
If you look at some of the more premium picks, then you’ll likely find they’re made out of high-end materials, and may even feature additional technology and innovations to help improve your game.
However, that’s not to say you can’t pick up a great pair of budget cleats. For example, the Vapor Edge Shark still includes Nike’s FastFlex technology for added responsiveness and flexibility and is made from a durable and lightweight synthetic upper.
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Ultimately, how much you speed will come down to your preference and budget. If you’re a keen American footballer though, you may be more inclined to look at the top end of the scale.
How Do I Choose The Right Football Cleats?
As previously mentioned, American football cleats can either be low, medium, or high tops which all come with different benefits.
Typically speaking, if you’re a lineman, you’ll probably want a high-top cleat as it can help maximise your stability whilst also delivering a ton of ankle support.
Probably the most commonly selected type is the mid-cut cleat though as it tends to be slightly lighter than a high-top whilst still offering some protection and ankle support, thus making it highly versatile.
However, if you’re a high-speed player like a wide receiver, you may find a low-top cleat to be most beneficial as this will probably be the lightest type available, and should be ideal for mobility and split-second, fast-paced movements.
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