With training camps in full swing and the bright stadium lights of another football season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re properly outfitted for a safe and successful season. To kick your season off right, start from the ground up – by finding the best football cleats to match your position and preferences.
Top football brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour offer some of the most feature-packed footwear on the market. But with today’s vast selection of specifics and styles, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all the choices. So what separates good cleats from the very best football cleats?
Our experts at Academy Sports + Outdoors have compiled this in-depth list of our best men’s football cleats. Keep reading to score all the details on why these styles are the season’s hottest draft picks.
Academy Football Cleat Summary | |
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Category | Our Pick |
Best Overall Football Cleats | Nike Men's Vapor Edge Pro 360 Cleats |
Best Nike Football Cleats | Nike Men's Vapor Edge Speed 360 Football Cleats |
Best Adidas Football Cleats | Adidas Men’s adizero Football Cleats |
Best Under Armour Football Cleats | Under Armour Men's Highlight MC TX LE Football Cleats |
Best Receiver Football Cleats | Under Armour Men's UA Blur Smoke MC Football Cleats |
Best Lineman Football Cleats | Nike Men's Force Savage Shark 2 Football Cleats |
Best Running Back Football Cleats | Adidas Men’s Freak 22 Team Football Cleats |
Best High-Top Football Cleats | Under Armour Adults' Highlight MC Football Cleats |
Best Value Football Cleats | Nike Men's Alpha Menace 3 Shark Football Cleats |
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you’re just gearing up for your first-ever season, these football cleats will give you the confidence you need to run past the competition and complete the game-winning play. These cleats are especially great for players who rely on speed and agility, since their TPU outsoles provide the traction that wide receivers, cornerbacks, and safeties need to move down the field quickly and effortlessly.
If you’re a die-hard Nike fan looking for the best cleat option to help you quickly weave through the field, these cleats are sure to be your MVPs. With their low-profile design, this pair is perfect for any wide receiver, cornerback, or safety looking to take their game to the next level.
For our Adidas fans, this cleat provides lightweight comfort and grip to help you charge off the line of scrimmage. The TPU studded outsole helps deliver traction and assists in making any cut on the field. Its lightweight mesh upper with lace closure gives you a locked-in feel to help you speed into the endzone with confidence.
These football cleats are designed to help you effortlessly move and pivot swiftly down the field — perfect for Under Armour fans! The SuperFoam insoles provide comfortable support, while the proprietary UA Scatter Traction gives you all the grip you need to turn on a dime as you weave past your defender.
These cleats are best for any wide receiver who is looking to blast past defenders and never be caught. Weighing in at 8.8 oz, this model is Under Armour's lightest cleat and one of the overall lightest on the market, helping any receiver gain the traction and speed they need to leave the other team in the dust.
These cleats are perfect for linemen who value keeping their feet comfortable, secure, and supported for the entire game. The webbed uppers on these high-top cleats aid the lacing system to lock your feet securely into the shoes, while the Nike FastFlex outsole gives you the necessary traction to control the line of scrimmage.
The Adidas Freak 22 is the perfect shoe for any running back looking for a lightweight, sturdy, and comfortable ride in a cleat. These cleats are not only made from recycled materials, but offer a cushioned first-to-last step with the Adidas Bounce midsole.
Whether you are a lineman or a running back, this cleat will give you the ankle support and traction you need to complete even the toughest plays. The SuperFoam insoles provide an unmatched shock-absorbency, while the UA Scatter Traction outsoles supply multidirectional grip to help you stand your ground.
If you’re looking for the best football cleat available at a lower price point, these cleats may be the ones for you. With Nike Fastflex technology, the Alpha Menace 3 Shark features an injected Phylon foam midsole for cushioned comfort. Its synthetic uppers offer durability and containment for players in many positions.
Q. Are football cleats and soccer cleats the same?
A. No! Football cleats and soccer cleats have key differences that make each ideal for its intended sport, including the following:
Q. How do I choose the best cleat for me?
A. Finding the right cleat depends on the position you play and your individual needs. Cleats are offered in three different ankle heights:
Q. How do football cleats help players?
A. Football cleats help players in a variety of ways, including the following:
In addition to the general traction benefits that football cleats provide, there are different options of cleats designed for each position. Such cleats provide their own position-specific benefits much like the following examples:
Q. Besides football cleats, what other equipment do I need to start playing football?
A. If you’re gearing up for the football season, there are plenty of equipment pieces you should add to your roster on top of football cleats:
Regardless of your position, Academy Sports + Outdoors has cleats available for every position cleats available for every position that help to enhance your gameplay and to keep you feeling safe and protected.