Football cleats are trainers that have protrusions mounted onto the bottom of the shoes to offer better support in soft, wet and slippery conditions. The traction they provide helps players move better in different playing conditions. Perfect for the football field, football cleats are a must for all players. Football cleats help you move well on the field as well as preventing injury and keeping you safe in practice and games throughout the season. Whether you’re playing with your friends or for your college team, football cleats are essential for all levels of the gameplay.

If you are not given your own football cleats from your team, you should make sure you choose the right pair to provide the comfort and support needed on the field. You may also want to check if you need to buy a specific color, brand or type to match the rest of the team. There are plenty of features you should consider including size, color, style, brand, cut, construction, detachable, material, toe studs, and price.

So whether you’re a quarterback, lineman or wide receiver, it is important to wear football cleats. Many have distinctive features that suit different positions, so make sure you do your research to find the perfect football cleat for you.

The 10 Best American Football Cleats 2024

1. Nike Alpha Menace Pro Mid Football Cleat

Performance

The cleats feature a lace-up closure with Flywire cables and padded tongue and collar offering a protective and supportive fit. Plus, the phylon foam wedge is lightweight offering a chance to run quicker. The outsole has 3-sides shark tooth style cleats which allow players to move quickly and easier with multi-directional traction. These features give players extra support and a secure and comfortable fit. They also help protect your feet from impact, preventing injury.

Price

The Nike Alpha Menace Pro Mid Football Cleat is available in a wide range of colors and styles to help match your favorite color and teams colors. You can also choose from sizes from men’s 7.5 to 16. Offering a sleek and stylish design, these Nike football cleats are a great option for beginners, younger players, and more experienced players. You can buy these football cleats on Amazon from just $50 up to $200 depending on color and size.

2. Under Armour Hammer Mid Rm Cleat

Performance

Under Armour football cleats are very comfortable and fit very well to prevent the foot from slipping. The molded rubber provides good traction on a range of different surfaces. The cleats help players get goof grip on the field and can improve performance by the enhanced traction from different directions and angles. Perfect for players of all abilities, in different positions, these football cleats are affordable and one of the best on the market. The high cut style also provides extra support and protection on the ankles which are favored by many football players.

Price

Choose from a great selection of colors to match your team, support your favorite team or simply match your style. You can get these football cleats in a wide range of sizes from 8 to 16 to accommodate all players. If you’re looking for an excellent pair of football cleats from a leading sports brand and at a reasonable price, the Under Armour Hammer Mid Rm football cleats are a great choice.

3. Nike Vapor Shark 2 Football Cleats

Performance

Using Fast Flex technology these football cleats from Nike helps provide excellent comfort, support, and breathability to players. This particular football cleat is popular amongst younger players and performs well for all types of football including tackle football or flag football. At an affordable price, these Nike football cleats are very reliable and the perfect starting pair of football cleats for your child. They offer top quality soles with breathable fabric to reduce odor. Plus the padded midsole offer extra foot cushion and comfort whilst the molded cleats make these reliable and durable in all weather conditions. The innovative tech that Nike use help provides easy movability, making these a great everyday pair of cleats for players of all abilities, particularly younger players.

Price

Available on Amazon from $75, these are a very affordable price and perfect as a starter pair of football cleats. You can choose from several colors and as well as sizes to suit boys and men of all sizes. Because of their price, the Nike Vapor Shark 2 Football Cleats work are some of the cheapest cleats on the market. They are from one of the best sports brands and still provides excellent quality for players on the field. Made from synthetic materials, football players will find these cleats very lightweight. They are also stylish and can be bought in several different colors to suit your preference, style and teams colors.

4. adidas Adizero 5-Star 7.0 Football Shoe

Performance

The football cleat features Speed Spat tape which gives players extra flexibility whilst still providing a solid foundation. This helps players feel comfortable on the field. The moveability is excellent whilst also keeping players feet secure and in place thanks to the heel cup. EVA-lined cushioning offer comfortable, lightweight support and the sprint studs provide top-quality traction in all conditions. The lacing structure also helps to reduce pressure adding to the comfort of the fit for optimal results.

Price

These football cleats from Adidas are quite stylish and can be bought in numerous different colors. Find your favorite color or color to match your team. You can also choose from a wide range of sizes from 6.5 to 18. You will be able to move effortlessly with these excellent football cleats from Adidas.

5. Under Armour Nitro Low MC Cleat

Performance

Under Armour have made these low cut football cleats very comfortable. The areas below the feet have a die-cut EVA sock-liner for durability and the TPU heel clip helps with to give extra stability. Although these are low cut cleats, they still offer great amounts of support and comfort to football players. The molded toe caps also help increase protection and durability which is important for professional players. With plastic molded soles, these football cleats offer excellent traction in all weather conditions.

Price

You can get these low cut football cleats from as little as $60 from Amazon. You can choose from several colors helping you match your teams color or find your favorite color to wear on the field. The Under Armour football cleats are quite stylish and perfect for players who prefer a low cut boot.

6. NIKE Lunar Code Pro 3/4 D Football Cleats

Performance

The TPU plate is lightweight whilst offering durability and strength. The seven-stud detachable cleats provide top-quality traction allowing players to perform well in all weather conditions. If you’re looking for a top-quality pair of detachable football cleats, these may just be the ones for you. They offer versatile performance and suit football players of all abilities and positions.

Price

You won’t be let down by the quality of Nike’s football cleats including the Lunar Code Pro 3/4 detachable ones. These detachable football cleats are also very affordable and good value for money. Purchase from Amazon for as little as $45 to $85 depending on size. Unlike many football cleats, these Nike detachable cleats are only available in black and silver. However, they are available in a good selection of sizes from 8 to 14 including a wide fitting to accommodate more players.

7. Under Armour Highlight RM Cleat

Performance

The 3D molded tongue and form-fitting CompFit ankle construction give players an amazing, comfortable fit with the ability to improve speed and stability. The insoles feature high-rebound super foam which helps improve comfort and offer shock absorption, a great feature for impact play. This Under Armour football cleat features the brands die-cut EVA sock liner which adds comfort and durability throughout your game. And with the heel cup and high top design, this football cleat is ideal for players looking for a supportive and comfortable football cleat.

Price

These high top football cleats from Under Armour offer high-quality performance, protection, and support. You can choose from a great selection of colors and sizes online. Find your favorite color to match your style or the colors of your team. Sizes are available from 6.5 to 16 on Amazin and can be purchased for $130. This is more expensive than most football cleats on the market however this is still affordable for most players who want to invest in an excellent pair of football cleats that will last a long time.

8. adidas Freak X Carbon Mid Football Shoe

Performance

The heel cup featured in this football cleat helps prevent your feet from moving out of place. This is due to the construction of the synthetic material and mesh lining which makes these cleats very breathable. Adidas’ unique SprintSkin technology which adds lightweight support. There is also a shaft above the arch giving extra support to players. But don’t worry because although these cleats have a lot of support, they are also very comfortable and lightweight. With an iron skin toe cap, you can play well knowing you will have abrasion-resistant, prevention against toe-drag injuries and lots of support throughout the game. The cleats are made from hard molded plastic providing good traction on the field.

Price

If Adidas is your favorite brand, these are some of the best from them! They are great value for money and provide players with an excellent mid-cut football cleat. You can pay around $100 on Amazon for these excellent quality cleats. Available in several colors and a wide selection of sizes from 6.5 to 16, these football cleats are a great choice for players of all abilities.

9. Nike Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 Football Cleats

Performance

The carbon fiber material works well for being strong and durable as well as lightweight. The durability means players can invest in this pair of football cleats from Nike to last for a long time. You can rely on these football cleats throughout your whole season again and again. Featuring Nike’s PORON footbed, players feet will feel comfortable and be able to move well in this lightweight cleat. The cleat is stylish and works well with players of all positions especially quick-running receivers and linebackers who will be able to take advantage of the improved acceleration.

Price

With lots of great features including the odor and moisture prevention and lightweight feel, investing in this Nike football cleat is a great idea. Available in a wide selection of colors, you can easily find your favorite color or color to match your team. Offering stylish and sleek designs, this football cleat is available from as low as $55, up to $250 depending on color and size.

10. Nike Force Savage Pro

Performance

The cleats feature a Lunarlon foam footbed which provides responsive cushioning support. Perfect for high impact play, these football cleats from Nike offer excellent protection including extra ankle support. The TPU plate with 19-cleat configuration offers good stability and traction in wet and muddy playing conditions. These high top football cleats also benefit from Flywire cables which wrap around the midfoot which provides an adaptive and personalized fit. The padded collar above this also adds to the comfort and stability of these cleats from Nike. All of these features help players change direction and accelerate quickly.

Price

Available in a wide range of colors, these high top football cleats look great on the football field. Match the color of your cleats with your team’s colors, or your favorite color to look the part on the field. With a wide range of sizes available, from 8 to 13, players of all abilities and sizes can try these good quality Nike Force Savage Pro football cleats. Because of the high top design, these football cleats particularly suit players who have a history with ankle problems or want extra protection.

Guide to Buying the Best American Football Cleats

American football is one of the most popular sports in the US and is also becoming more popular in other countries, including the UK. Because of this, there is a high demand for top-quality football cleats. All football cleats have something to offer, so you must consider all the features and decide which suit your playing style best.

You can get football cleats that either have detachable spikes on them or have protrusions which are permanently or temporarily molded onto the trainers. Both of these help players dig into the ground on slippery, wet, muddy and soft surfaces. This is one of several features you can choose from when buying a pair of football cleats. Specific features will provide different kinds of support for the ankle, speed, agility and suit different positions on the field.

Detachable

Detachable cleats are often more expensive and although they are not the most popular type of football cleats, many players favor them for their versatility. Unlike molded cleats, detachable cleats give players the ability to take off and replace their studs. Players can change the length of their studs or remove them completely to suit the different playing conditions. Detachable cleats provide excellent traction and allow players to perform well in wet and muddy conditions as well as dry conditions.

Molded

Molded cleats are attached to the sole of the football shoe and cannot be removed. They are less expensive and require less maintenance. They are made for one type of ground thus providing less versatility than detachable cleats. However molded cleats are still the most popular option amongst football players. Since the playing condition doesn’t change often, molded football cleats provide the right support for most players. Molded cleats are high performing, strong and lightweight so players can perform well on the field. They are also very comfortable because they contain an even spread of cleats across the sole to support the feet’s pressure points.

Cut

Other features to consider are the cut of the football cleat, with high cut and mid-cut being the two most popular choices. Low cut cleats are more lightweight and provide better mobility with the flexibility and freedom of the ankle. They are best low fast and skillful players who move quickly on the field. Mid cuts are the most common option because they provide the best features from both low cut and high cut cleats. Mid cuts provide excellent stability and support and work well for running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers. High cuts provide lots of support, particularly around the ankle area which is perfect for anyone suffering from ankle problems or want to reduce the risk of injury. They provide the best stability and protection because of the high cut and extra padding that features around the ankle area and work best for linemen defensive players.

Protection

When choosing a pair of football cleats, you will want to make sure they offer the best protection for you. When playing football, the helmets and pads are not the only items worn for protection. Football cleats will help prevent collision and fit well to reduce the chance of overexertion. Cleats can protect your whole body so you must choose football cleats that fit right and provide the features you need for protection.

Comfort

Comfort is extremely important when you’re choosing a pair of football cleats. You will be wearing your football cleats for a long time, in training sessions and games throughout the season, so you have to make sure you will be comfortable. If you are not comfortable, it can affect your performance and cause injury if they do not fit right. Football cleats have lots of features that help improve the shoe comfort levels. This includes the materials used, padding and built-in technology.

Comfort also comes down to the size and fit. You must get the right size shoe to fit your feet so that they are snug and comfortable. You can get football cleats from top brands in a wide selection of sizes. Several models offer wide fittings to accommodate more players.

Choosing the right football cleat can often be difficult but is definitely worth the time and effort. If you play football often, finding the perfect football cleats is vital. You need to get a pair of cleats that will fit well and provide support and comfort whilst also being lightweight. Consider all the essential features to ensure you make the right choice.