Best Soccer Cleats for Aesthetics and Performance

If you go the Adidas website and click on the link for the write-up on these shoes, the description is full of cool-sounding tech monikers with Messi's name slapped to the front of each one. The reason is because the Argentinian soccer great had an active hand in the creation and development of this shoe, tailored to his particular specs and preferences. The result is a pretty impressive shoe that puts the focus on touch and traction, first and foremost.

Adidas have given this soccer cleat an ultra-thin synthetic upper with a dimpled surface for better control at a faster rate of speed, with the dimples creating greater friction between shoe and ball on the fly. An external cage is wrapped around the shoe for improved stability and the soleplate has been outfitted with a cleat configuration that incorporates a collection of angled studs at the fore-foot and heel to grant you explosive speed and agility on both firm and artificial ground surfaces.

The Messi 15.2 is one step down from the Messi 15.1, which is nearly double the price. The differences are negligible which is why we feel you can save the extra dough and go with the 15.2. Here the upper is a bit stiffer than with the predecessor, so the break-in period is going to take longer and the stud plate is slightly different. But the comfort and performance are still top-notch, just like the more expensive version.

The first thing you notice on the Mercurial Vapor X is the dimpled upper. Much like the Messi shoe, the Vapor X uses a dimpled surface texture but here the dimples are much smaller than on the Adidas shoe. Nike calls it "micro-texturing", an apt description as the texture is finer and the material is designed to conform to the shape and size of your foot for a tighter fit. Nike has also added a special coating to their dimpled upper to provide consistent touch in all types of weather.

The sole-plate has been equipped with Nike's asymmetric Vapor blade pattern which was designed for greater traction and acceleration (especially at the fore-foot) where the studs were built with track shoes in mind. The rest of the studs are shaped like blades, so they cut in and release the ground with rapid response to provide that extra traction you want on a firm ground surface. Nike has also jettisoned the tongue on these shoes and used an eyelet design that makes the upper more aerodynamic and snug along the top of your foot. This brings down the weight as well.

The DD-NA3 has been built for speed, agility, and a lightweight feel on the pitch. Diadora's been known for having heavier shoes that are comfortable yet often weighed down with a lot of excessive padding and thick materials. But they've taken a different approach here to compete with the bigger brands who offer shoes built for quickness.

Their synthetic SuprellPro3L upper has been engineered to be thin for true and accurate touch on the ball and truth be told, the DD-NA3 performs well in that department. It starts out pretty stiff and rigid out of the box, but over the course of a few sessions of wear it begins to loosen up and feel more comfortable as it seems to mold to the shape of your foot. The DD-NA3 offers terrific heel support near the back as well.

This is a shoe that is best-suited for those with wider feet and find the other guys' shoes too narrow and confining. Diadora has given the shoe their exclusive Pebax GLX14 outsole which utilizes a combination of conical and diamond shaped cleat studs for terrific traction with clean acceleration, making them ideal for use on a variety of playing surfaces.

The thinking behind the evoPOWER line of shoes is simple: Build a shoe that best emulates the feel and motion of playing the game barefoot. Puma has engineered their new cleat to do just that, infusing it with materials and design choices that try to recreate the fluid, natural motions of your foot.

The shoes are flexible from the minute you unbox them, built with a Japanese synthetic Puma is calling Adapt-Lite which stretches vertically from the front of the shoe so you can bend your foot forward and back without hindrance. This allows for the most natural kicking motion possible, and that gives you more power and velocity behind your shot. Accu-Foam inserts have been placed along the inside of the upper to create a clean strike zone, flattening upon impact for a stronger release off the foot as you kick through. Both of these features not only offer improved shooting power, they also help make the shoe very comfortable.

Combined with their Gradual Stability Frame, a rib-like spine system that runs through the shoe, the evoPOWER 1.2 offers complete flexibility while keeping the shoe lightweight. The stud configuration of the sole uses a combination of blades and conical studs to provide terrific traction in addition to all of this lightweight mobility. At a weight of around 7.1 ounces, you'll feel like you're not wearing anything at all.

The Morelia Neo MD works for one fundamental reason: simplicity. The shoe has a supple K-leather upper that is thin for good touch and feel on the ball, while remaining lightweight to keep it fast. The cut of the upper has a strong, snug fit but doesn't run too narrow like many other shoe popular shoe brands tend to; ahem, we’re looking at you Nike! There's also a minimal amount of padding and lining inside the shoe, contributing to the feel of a shoe that seems like you're barefoot on the pitch. But with the cut of the shoe not too narrow, you need not worry about blistering since there's such a distinct lack of interior padding.

You need not be concerned about the amount of traction the shoe offers either; with a collection of low conical studs in the front and rear of the soleplate, you have freedom of motion enabling you to accelerate, stop, even juke and cut with ease. Just be careful getting them wet because if you don't dry them properly and thoroughly, they could suffer potential moisture-related damage.

Designed for speed, the Mercurial Victory V features a dimpled upper with a similar micro-texture that Nike has been applying to many of their shoes for an increase in touch and feel on the ball. The upper's synthetic material isn't the softest in the world, but it does fit comfortably and will hold up well over months of active play. The liner of the shoe is contoured and fits anatomically to the shape of the foot but what really makes the Victory V worth your time is the rubber outsole. The cleat studs are blade-shaped and stubby and positioned in Nike's Vapor traction pattern, so the studs will work well in wet conditions and won't get stuck in softer surfaces which can increase the potential for injury.

Lotto's Zhero Gravity VII is the latest model in the youth version of the company's ever-popular laceless, slip-on boot. This soccer cleat keeps it old school with a shoelace enclosure in a synthetic upper combining comfort and durability. The EVA insole provides ample cushioning designed to reduce the strain on young feet which have been running on cleats for extended periods. The company's PuntoFlex technology allows the foot to maneuver in its natural motion, providing flexibility while allowing energy to return along the forefoot. To top it all off, Lotto has used a TX outsole combining conical studs at the front, bladed cleats at the heel for quick acceleration, and sure grip providing total motion control on the field. Even better, the outsole has been stitched to the upper to extend the life of the shoe and prevent it from falling apart at some of the most vulnerable areas, giving you the best value for your dollar.

The Predator Absolion LZ TRX FG is the junior version of this popular men's cleat without sacrificing any potent Adidas sports technology in the process. The upper is synthetic leather designed with five Predator zones which increase friction on the ball for better control and handling. Adidas' has also enabled this shoe with the exclusive Traxionstud configuration providing superior traction on the field. There's also the placement of the cleat studs which promote a sure grip while evenly distributing the impact of every step throughout the shoe. The Predator Absolion cleats have a high retail price so it's probably best suited for more advanced youth players who want to come closer to the experience of playing with a dedicated pro shoe.

Puma's evoPOWER 4.2 affords kids the same precision and accuracy found in the same shoes that the big boys and girls wear. Puma's given these shoes some of the sporting technology enhancements found in the adult shoe including the GripTex enhancement for increased ball control and a bladed cleat configuration for extra mobility and acceleration The 4.2 was designed with a soft synthetic poly-urethane upper durable enough to survive the scrapes and scuffs of an entire season while keeping the shoe protective and comfortable. Quilted pads at the vamp contribute to the snug feel of the shoe and an asymmetrical lace enclosure gives the shoe a sure fit. These are among the lightest of the picks on our list, weighing in at around 4.7 ounces so these won't weigh down your all star. With a generous retail price, your kids and your wallet will be thrilled with this purchase.

The Flash features a synthetic poly-urethane upper that's soft enough to fit comfortably but still provides maximum protection without sacrificing too much in the department of ball control. A die-cut sock liner provides extra cushiony comfort and helps ward off aching feet after they’ve been running around in studded cleats for hours at a time. Under Armor has given the Flash a dual-shape cleat configuration providing conical studs at the forefoot for fast directional maneuvers and bladed cleats at the heel for quicker timing and acceleration when it matters most. While the Flash can be considered a very basic soccer shoe, they’re ideal for the young player making their first foray into the world of soccer and at a price tag of around $32 at most online retailers, parents will feel these soccer cleats are the ideal choice as well.

The Mercurial Veloce uses a slim Teijin microfiber upper creating an overall lighter shoe with minimal break-in time to achieve maximum, long-term comfort. The material between your foot and the ball is thin enough to allow increased touch control while providing adequate protection from sudden physical contact. The Mercurial Veloce also features a puckered, golf ball surface texture to help grip the ball when you're moving it down the field which is a subtle but important touch. A contoured sock liner keeps the shoe cushioned and comfortable while providing the support you need to play hard along with a standard outsole providing flexibility and comfort without experiencing much drag. The cleat configuration uses only bladed studs which are positioned to give you a mix of fast acceleration and secure lateral traction on firm ground surfaces.

Proving their status of one of the titans in the industry yet again, Adidas gives us the X15. Designed with speed, control, and stability in mind, the women's version of the X15.2 isn't much of a departure from the men's version and displays only somewhat negligible differences from the top tier version of the shoe in the X15.1. They both have the exoSKIN molded synthetic and textile upper with just a hint of the company's non-stop grip (NSG) texture for increased control and feel on the ball and the X-CAGE reinforcement along the mid-foot for greater stability, so you can cut and turn on a dime at a moment's notice. The outsole utilizes a Adidas' claw stud configuration for maximum traction and acceleration on the field and they're suitable for use on firm and artificial surfaces.

Puma makes the cut with their 6.4 ounce evoSPEED cleat, a high-performance piece of soccer gear designed to provide a combination of comfort, flexibility, protection and speed. They began with a durable, scuff-resistant, synthetic leather upper, contoured to move naturally with your foot. Comfort and protection is enhanced by a TPU-injected outsole, a one-piece component providing even weight distribution throughout the foot while keeping your heel snugly in place. evoSPEED is fitted with a combination of cleat stud shapes, both conical and bladed, for sure traction letting you accelerate, cut or juke for quick directional changes or a sudden run for the goal.

The Hypervenom Phelon soccer cleats are great intermediate players working on improving their game and don't want to spend a lot. They're one of the best-looking picks on our list, offering total agility with a lightweight upper and a thermo-polyurethane outsole using a combination of stud shapes for superior traction. Conical forefoot studs allow for dime-cutting directional change while bladed studs near the toe and midfoot turn on the speed when you need it. The synthetic leather upper conforms to the shape of the feet enhancing your touch and feel on the ball. A shortened lace closure gives more of a striking area near the toe for better impact when shooting for a goal. These shoes are paired best with any short grassy field thanks to their firm ground cleats but not recommended for muddy conditions.

The Flash FG is a solid shoe for players who don't want to spend a lot to get a dependable product. Under Armour has given the Flash a dimpled synthetic upper that's lightweight and offers a good amount of touch and control on the ball. That texture is certainly more prevalent here than some other textured uppers out there, so you'll need to try them on to see if you like the feel. The outsole is all thermo-polyurethane equipped with a collection of 11 angled studs for strong traction and speed while the die-cut sockliner keeps them feeling comfy with a layer of cushioning. They're not the most breathable pair of shoes you'll ever slip on your feet but  won't trap heat too much either, so you don't worry about excessive sweating.