When playing any sport, not just Soccer, you always want the best equipment for the every scenario. Some people might say that materialistic things don’t matter when it comes to performance, and that it comes down to skill. But once you get to the highest level of the game, going against the best of the best, that’s when equipment really counts. In this article, I will go through what I believe are the best cleats for each soccer position. Remember to take into account that you can play with whatever cleats, even barefoot, and still be good at the sport. All I will say is that once you reach the elite level, milliseconds matter, since it is now a game of reaction time. Another thing I would like to note is that I am listing the best version of the cleats, not the best for the price, but that in which it is advertised as the best model. Each cleat with have cheaper models like “academy” and “pro” that may be a better fit for you.

Defense/Goalkeeper:

• Nike Tiempo Legend 10 Elite ($240): In this case, there isn’t as dramatic of a difference between the academy, pro, and elite versions of this cleat. The Nike Tiempo Legend’s are great for defenders. They have rounder studs for easy turning and shifting your body to match your opponent, as well as a somewhat thicker upper material to comfort you from slide tackles or cleat to cleat contact.
• Adidas Copa Pure 3 ($250): This cleat has the same aspects as the Nike Tiempo, a comfortable leather upper with synthetic rubber underneath for a comfortable fit, as well as round studs.

Midfield:

• Nike Phantom GX2 Elite ($260): These cleats were designed for easy pivoting and turning, perfect for the midfield positions. They include Nike’s “cyclone” stud design that includes a placement of studs in a circular formation. It also contains a knit upper with circular designs for better, crisp passes or shots.
• Adidas Predator Elite ($260): These are Adidas iconic predator cleat line. They have rubber protrusions on the upper for better grip on the ball, and triangular shaped studs for good grip and shifting/turning on the field to look for that open pass to score. This cleat comes with options for laceless, laces, or fold over tongue (popularly worn by Jude Bellingham).

Forward:

• Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite ($260) / Superfly 10 Elite ($280): This is Nike’s most popular cleat, worn by most professional athletes in the sport. Names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Junior. The base of these cleats are identical, the only difference is that the Vapor 16’s are low cut, and the Superfly 10’s are ankle cut. Otherwise they are the same, both cleats have sharp arrow-shaped studs that dig into the ground to give you more grip and help with speed. Also included is Nike’s popular “air zoom” unit that goes ¾ length of the cleat. This helps not only speed, but comfort as well. There is a thin, “gripknit” upper that helps athletes feel the ball at there feet and help them have more control.
• Adidas F50 Elite ($260)/F50+ Elite ($300): This is adidas professional cleat, I should say. Worn by the majority of pro athletes signed to adidas, like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Mohammed Salah, and Heung-Min Son. This cleat has Adidas’ “fibertouch” upper and “Sprintframe 360” outsole, good for speed as well as sudden stopping to change direction, the upper for better touch and accurate shots on target. The difference between the F50 and the F50+ isn’t only the price, but that the F50+ has adidas “lightstrike pro” foam for better speed and reactiveness when needed.

All of this comes down to personal preference and comfort. If you buy a cleat and it’s not comfortable, then you won’t be able to play to your max potential. Find a cleat that is good for you. It may not be the best for others, but it will be for yourself.