If you're a player who seriously hates any form of aches and pains caused from your footwear, then you'll need to find the best soccer cleats for comfort.
Having comfortable cleats can make a huge difference to a player's game, especially when considering the safety aspect. With some cleats designed incredibly thin and light these days, there's often a lack of protection, support and general consideration for the poor feet that have to take a battering for 90 minutes.
There may be a range of best soccer cleats around, with plenty of options for defenders, midfielders, strikers and even players with wide feet, but that doesn't mean many of them are suited for comfortability. Fortunately, here you'll find the best soccer cleats for comfort, meaning you'll have to look no further.
The quicklist
Comfortable yet steely, the Copa Pure 2.1 balances a super soft feel with proper protection thanks to a supportive soleplate. Defenders can make challenges while still enjoying a smooth fit.
No break-in time is needed thanks to the smart use of hypoknit material. Despite the lack of natural leather these cleats don't compromise on comfort, but still hug the foot tightly.
Nike have managed to create an even lighter cleat whilst maintaining the classic design that makes the Tiempo Legend one of the best around. Perfect for looking stylish whilst staying comfortable at the same time.
With a naturally wide fit and an ability to stretch slightly over time due to Puma's Fuzionfit360 material – the Future 7 Ultimate is the perfect cleat for those who need that extra breathing space out on the pitch.
The ultimate comfort boot for so many years - and with good reason. The Copa Mundial's unrivalled soft leather ensures every touch is perfectly weighted.
If comfort is the defining factor when selecting your next cleats, it’s hard to overlook the Mizuno Morelia II. With smart use of high quality kangaroo leather and an eye-catching design, they’re a smart choice.
Best for defenders
With a padded heel area, the Copa Pure 2.1 offers superb cushioning to a cleat that already has plenty of support due to its traditional construction. That largely comes from the soleplate, with the bulkier structure ensuring there's more comfort than the majority of the best soccer cleats around.
I also found the upper being mostly comprised of leather adds to comfort levels – they fit like a glove after just a couple of wears. The calf leather is located in the forefoot and towards the midfoot of the upper, while the synthetic material that makes up the rest of the cleat is still brilliantly leather-like and super soft. This makes them an ideal option for greater comfort, while the protection they offer could see the Copa Pure 2.1 perfect for defenders, too.
Best for touch
Built using New Balance's hypoknit material, I truly believe the Tekela V4+ is the most comfortable cleat on the market not made from natural leather. They require no break-in time whatsoever, with the upper very soft and flexible to help wrap perfectly around your foot.
That doesn't diminish the performance aspect of the cleat, either, because it still feels like there's no barrier between foot and ball, with the knit so thin it provides a true one-to-one sensation.
They do hug the foot fairly tightly, however, meaning that if you have wide feet they might not be the most suitable option. As a result, I'd recommend you try a pair on first before buying.
Best for design
Though Nike has moved away from a leather upper for the historic Tiempo model, instead opting for a synthetic Flytouch Plus, the material has just as much quality and brilliantly mimicks the feel of natural leather. Thus, they offer a great level of comfort, while also being slightly lighter.
They also feature a slightly sleeker build than previous versions of the model, meaning the Nike Tiempo Legend 10 doesn't feel quite as bulky on feet. I found this aspect really helped with the comfort levels, because there wasn't any unnecessary volume on the cleat that can occasionally get in the way and cause blisters.
The soleplate also offers great comfort, with the conical studs making sharp movements easier and less strenuous on my joints.
Best for wide feet
An upgrade on the previous Future Ultimate, the new model is a lot more comfortable straight out of the box thanks to the the placement of Puma's Pwrtape technology. Whereas the previous model featured Pwrtape along the sides of the boot, in the Puma Future 7 Ultimate it is concentrated more centrally with the extra pressure felt on the top of the foot. I found this a lot more comfortable to play in, while I still felt the benefits of the technology keeping my feet locked down and stable.
Fitting fairly wide, I found that these cleats are perfect for players with wide feet, while the upper being made from Puma's Fuzionfit360 material means they'll stretch slightly over time due to how soft and pliable they are.
Best for reliability
There's a reason the Adidas Copa Mundial has stood the test of time, seeing players continuously revert back to the classic cleat in search of the literal comfort blanket they provide. The leather is so unbelievably soft, offering plenty of padding to ensure every single touch on the ball feels like a pillow is wedged between your foot.
While some might not like this sensation, for many it's a feeling that screams comfort. The traditional tongue ensures there's no danger of lace bite, too, with the upper's construction such that it can easily conform to the shape of any foot type; whether it's narrow, wide, short or long.
The no-frills soleplate also doesn't exert any extra pressure on your foot. I particularly like this aspect about the cleat, because I'm immediately locked into once I stick them on. There's little break-in time, and for that I'll always be a big fan of the Copa Mundials.
Best overall
Seriously, the supreme quality of the kangaroo leather that makes up the upper, and the standard of all the materials used, create an experience quite unlike anything else offered by any other brands. Add to this the accommodating fit and the cushioning compared to many of the other alternatives and this cleat is ideal for someone looking for the best soccer cleats for comfort.
I can honestly say that I didn’t realise it was possible for a pair of cleats to be as comfortable as the first time I put on a pair of Morelias. This is likely attractive to any player, regardless of if they're a defender, midfielder or striker.
There's no trade-off in terms of weight, either. Surprisingly, the Mizuno Morelia II feels similar to the majority of speed cleats, all while offering a leather upper. That's a great bonus for players wanting modern technologies coupled with traditional feeling.
How we test soccer cleats
While playing in as many training sessions and matches we physically can, we test each cleat thoroughly and extensively to uncover the true performance level each of them provide. There are a range of different factors we consider during testing, with our main considerations focusing on stability, fit, feel and, of course, comfort.
This helps to balance the claims from brands and what we truly feel on our feet, separating the marketing jargon from the reality.
Each pair is tested by an expert member of the team who lives and breathes soccer cleats – and who play a lot of games! As experienced testers, they cut straight to the detail, providing simple yet comprehensive advice for players of all levels on what might suit them best.
How to choose the best soccer cleats
The soccer cleat market can be a bit of a minefield at the best of times, with an array of options available and brands championing the latest tech that will have you jumping higher, running faster and never miscontrolling a ball ever again.
Ultimately, your choice should come down to what best suits you and your game. Below are some factors to consider when looking for your next pair...
Soleplate
Soleplates can often be a dealbreaker in comfort levels, because often super-light cleats forego any extra padding that could help to alleviate pressure on your foot. Therefore, finding cleats that are structurally sound underfoot is of paramount importance, and can sometimes be the difference between you developing blisters during games or not.
The surface you use your cleats on can have an impact on comfortability, too. Soft ground cleats won't sink far enough into firm ground surface, creating large stud pressure and discomfort underfoot. So always purchase a pair that suits the surface you play on most often.
Getting the right fit
It's no use buying a pair of soccer cleats only to find they don't fit correctly - especially when you want ones that are super-comfortable on feet.
That's why we'd always recommend going to a local store and trying as many pairs on as possible, in order to ascertain your true size in a range of different models, from a wide variety of brands. Each manufacturer is different, and so therefore sizes vary wildly. What might fit you in a size 9 in Adidas might be completely different to what Nike cleats fit like, so always be safe and try pairs on before committing.
Styling
Once you've decided everything else mentioned above, now is the time for you to express yourself as a player. Models are released in a plethora of new colorways these days, meaning there's no issue of finding a style you like best. Sure, another model might have the perfect colorway, but if they don't fit or aren't comfortable, then they're no use to you.
