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Every brand you need to know about, dominating the pitches
With so many elite brands that make soccer cleats, it can be confusing to navigate which brand to buy your next pair of soccer cleats from. You've got your obvious options like Nike and adidas, the top two contenders for most people when it comes to buying soccer cleats.
Looking for the best soccer cleats in 2023? GOAL has you covered
But, there are others out there that are starting to make some noise in the world of soccer cleats and producing some top-quality products at that, too – like PUMA and New Balance.
Take a closer look at what brands your favorite stars are wearing out on the pitch. From adidas and Lionel Messi to Neymar Jr and PUMA – boot deals with players have made the industry an even more competitive market.
What are the best soccer cleats?
There is no 'best' type of soccer cleats per se – with so many ways to play the game these days, the best kind of footwear is all down to the player's individual needs. That said, several brands have emerged over the past half-century as leaders in the industry – Nike, adidas, Umbro, and more. While there are many manufacturers to choose from, these headline names have built their brands into global success stories because they know how to deliver the goods.
Which brand makes the best soccer cleats?
The answer to this question is very subjective. The market is flooded with tons of options – there is no clear-cut answer. Every brand has a similar approach to the variety of soccer cleats they offer, in terms of franchises that cater to different parts of the game. Take the adidas X Speedportal and Nike Dream Speed series – which both are deisgned for superior pace.
What does tend to edge one cleat from another can be unique boot packs, colorways, and signature boots for top players – which can make all the difference when brands are trying to sway fans towards their soccer cleats range. What is clear, though, is that GOAL has a wealth of soccer cleat guides that will help you navigate the market so you can buy the best pair for you.
Nike is one of the leading names when it comes to soccer cleats. You'll see some big names like Cristiano Ronaldo,Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe who have worn them over the years. Famous ranges like the Mercurial and Tiempo cleats have written their name in soccer folklore, and they are considered among the elite options available on the market.
The Mercurial is by far the most popular franchise for Nike, alongside the Phantom and Tiempo silhouettes which have become a staple for those with an affinity to the brand. Nike always seem to come up with a stylish colorway and theme for their packs – which makes them a standout contender for those seeking out stylish and durable cleats.
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Adidas are one of the biggest names in the soccer cleat market and has arguably the best player to ever have played the game signed to the brand on a lifetime deal – Lionel Messi. So, they're cleats are naturally always going to make waves, and in recent years they've released several signature boots for the Argentian striker – in the X Speedportal silhouette.
Three franchises reign supreme and they are the Predator Accuracy, Copa Sense, and X Speedportal – which was launched with the help of the animated series Rick and Morty in 2022. The brand has also been a big advocate for using Parley ocean plastic in its products, including soccer cleats, to help tackle plastic waste. So, this is certainly a brand for those who advocate for sustainability in football.
PUMA, who have Neymar Jr. signed to them and only recently acquired Jack Grealish in a record-breaking deal, has grown into becoming a serious player in the soccer cleats game. They've even dropped some sort after editions like the Glow In The Dark boot pack – which was a hit with fans around the world and sold out quickly.
The FUTURE and ULTRA silos are the two mainstays in the brand's soccer cleat collection and would be familiar to anyone who has owned a pair of PUMA cleats. Recently the brand has upped its game and loaded its latest cleats full of technology that are strong enough to rival others. So, if you like your cleats to walk the walk and talk the talk – PUMA is a solid option for you.
New Balance has started to carve out its place in the crowded soccer cleats landscape with the support of star players like Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling. Both players have received signature soccer cleats from the brand – a noteworthy example of how to tell stories through soccer cleats.
They also made a mark by teaming up with Sterling and Stone Island to create the latter's first-ever football collection. Their ranges, like the Furon and Tekela, have started to become common names amongst soccer cleat enthusiasts as the brand has balanced the art of creating a good product with telling inspiring sporting stories through their footwear.