Football is a game of speed and maneuverability. If you can’t run with the ball, run toward a thrown ball or run into an opponent to stop them from moving their ball, you lose. Most of what you need comes from practice. The rest comes from the right cleats. White cleats are especially good — they flash in your opponent's eyes when you outrun them.
The best white football cleats are the Nike Men’s Vapor Edge Pro 360 Football Cleats. The studs are placed wide along the foot for maximum traction.
Football cleats typically come in men’s and children’s sizing. Women’s sizing is available, but the selection is severely limited compared to men’s sizing. As such, it’s often better for those who wear women’s sizing to convert from men’s sizing. The difference is roughly 1.5 sizes; for example, a men’s size 8 cleat would be roughly similar to a women’s size 9.5.
Football cleats have one of three ankle types:
The best football cleats use studs that match the needs of the field:
It’s possible to find all-white football cleats, but it’s more common to find cleats that use a white background to help other colors pop. You should be able to find any mix of white and additional color, but the most common are black, silver and gold.
They can cost as little as $35 or as much as $300. Kid’s cleats typically cost $60 or less. Most adult cleats cost $60-$120. Better brands and specialty cleats typically start around $120 and go up.
A. There are five parts to a football cleat:
A. Like you keep any football cleat clean, only you need to do it after every use rather than every few uses. Start by knocking loose and brushing off any loose dirt and grass. Then mix together some laundry detergent and warm water and use it to scrub off any stubborn grime. Consider using a shoe protector spray to limit the amount of water and grime that sticks.
A. If you’re just playing with friends in an intramural league or similar situation, one pair should be enough. Otherwise, having a pair for practices and a pair for games helps both cleats last longer and keeps your game-time cleats in the best possible condition. Just make sure both pairs are identical.
Nike Men’s Vapor Edge Pro 360 Football Cleats
What you need to know: These are excellent all-around cleats.
What you’ll love: The upper is light and thin but covered with an overlay to maintain durability. It uses an internal chassis to provide necessary support while increasing flexibility. Wide-placed studs assist in making sharp cuts across the field. It comes in all-white or white-and-black.
What you should consider: The ghost laces take some getting used to and can make adjusting the fit difficult. They’re supposed to feel tight. Those preferring looser cleats should look elsewhere.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Adidas Kid’s Freak Spark Team Football Cleats
What you need to know: Your kid will be the envy of his teammates with these cleats.
What you’ll love: A mono-mesh tongue and heel tabs make it easy to slip into but hold tight to the foot, plus a hook-and-loop strap on the heel helps adjust the fit. It comes with silver or gold accents.
What you should consider: There are no laces on the upper so you can’t adjust the fit across the top and sides of the foot.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Adidas Men’s Freak Ultra 22 Football Cleats
What you need to know: These high-top cleats are perfect for those needing ankle support.
What you’ll love: The upper uses a prime-knit weave to provide adaptive support while minimizing weight, plus it’s soft for extra comfort. It uses Adidas’ Boost midsole to increase cushioning while improving energy return and a Speedframe plate for extra traction and flexibility. It comes with silver or gold accents.
What you should consider: The shoes' elasticity lets them shift around your foot during intense plays which takes time to get used to it.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
