How we pick our products
Soccer (or “football” to the rest of the world), often just called “The Beautiful Game” is the most popular sport globally, and it has been growing in popularity in Canada for some time now. It is played by many hundreds of millions of people around the world, and international championships like the World Cup regularly attract billions of viewers. As the market has grown, the prices of great products have dropped.
One clear case of this trend in action is how soccer cleats have dropped in price over the years. As markets have grown, manufacturing technology has improved, and more and more people have started to play the game, good quality boots have become more accessible.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 The best soccer cleats on the Canadian market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about soccer cleats
- 3.1 What are soccer cleats exactly?
- 3.2 Which soccer cleats are suitable for each surface?
- 3.3 Which soccer cleats are best for each position?
- 3.4 What types of soles do soccer cleats have?
- 3.5 What size soccer cleats do I need?
- 3.6 How should I take care of my soccer cleats?
- 3.7 What are the most recognised brands of soccer cleats?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- Soccer boots are designed to improve your contact with the ball
- Getting shoes with the right studs is important for different surfaces and styles of soccer.
- Avoid injuries by getting high-quality boots made from good materials.
The best soccer cleats on the Canadian market
In the below section we have put together a list of five of the best soccer cleats currently on the Canadian market. If you want to get the most out of your boots, pay attention to the summaries we have included of each product’s primary characteristics. The big brands continue to innovate and create better products.
- Adidas – Men’s Mundial Team Soccer Shoe
- Puma – Future
- Adidas – Messi
- Nike – Mercurial Superfly 6 Elite CR7
- Adidas – Men’s Predator
Adidas – Men’s Mundial Team Soccer Shoe
Adidas is, for most people, the biggest name in soccer and soccer accessories/apparel. Their Men’s Mundial Team Soccer Shoe is a combination of leather and synthetic materials. If features a rubber sole for and split-suede leather upper to give you maximum control. These soccer cleats are designed for artificial turf and are not well suited to natural grass. The EVA sole gives the player a good amount of cushioning while still being incredibly lightweight.
The textured tractional out-sole is nice because it gives that extra little bit of grip that can make all the difference in the world in tight situations. This boot comes in the classic Adidas black and white that has made the company famous. It comes in a wide range of U.S. men’s sizes up to 13.5, so there is something for even the biggest feet. This is a high quality shoe that has a price tag to match, but they really are hard to beat when it comes to turf cleats.
Puma – Future
Puma is probably the third biggest company in the market after Adidas and Nike and the only one that is really capable of giving the big two a run for their money. Their Future shoe is incredibly popular and is worn by many big-name players and athletes, from German superstar Marco Reus to world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. One of the features that people really seem to like about this shoe is the toe cleat for added grip and for great turning and stopping power.
The toe cleat, in fact, makes this shoe well-suited not just for soccer but for football as well. It comes in three nicely-done colour combinations, including yellow and black, yellow, orange and black, and deep lagoon Puma white and green gecko. For the price, these are great professional-level cleats that a number of big players of endorsed and swear by.
Adidas – Messi
The Adidas Messi is, not surprisingly, one of the company’s best selling soccer cleats. These are the same boots worn by the world’s greatest player, and while the likely won’t make you play like Messi, having the seal of approval from arguably the best soccer mind of all time should be quite convincing. These are a synthetic soccer cleat with a manmade sole. As soon as you pick them up you will see how incredibly light they are, weighing just over 213 grams.
The leather-like upper skin and extra soft forefoot 3D grip with engineered 3D heel cage is a perfect combination of durability, stability, sensitivity, and flexibility. One would expect no less from the cleats used by the best player ever. It also comes with the trademark centre Messi stud to help maximize your acceleration and agility, just like the king. These cleats can be used on both turf and real grass and come with a 90-day money back guarantee.
Nike – Mercurial Superfly 6 Elite CR7
Nike and Adidas are locked into an eternal arms race and battle to create the best products on the market. The Nike Mercurial is the company’s flagship boot used by many different pro players, and the Superfly 6 Elite CR7 version is the cream of the crop. Depending on who you ask, the title of Best Player in the World either goes to Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. What is undeniable is this synthetic state of the art shoe is engineered to provide every possible competitive edge to the best.
The leather-like upper is flexible and durable enough to provide optimal control and touch in even the most stressful situations. The cleats are arranged in such a way as to provide maximum traction while giving you great take-off and acceleration. Made with a winger’s needs in mind, this cleat is flexible and tough in all the right places to give you great cushioning for full blasts from distance and intuitive, incredibly sensitive touch in tight space.
Adidas – Men’s Predator
Adidas’ Predator shoe is the direct competition with Nike’s Mercurial and it is one of the most well-liked and widely worn shoes in the sport. In comes in three great colour schemes and a range of common U.S. sizes. The manmade sole, the soft, flexible synthetic upper, and control embossing are designed to give you unmatched control and touch for superior manoeuvring in even the tightest situations. The anatomically designed heel gives you a tighter fit and really cuts down on the amount of moving around your foot does.
What’s more, the flexible ground outsole helps you maintain control and stability even at top speed. This cleat is made for use on both firm dry real grass and artificial turf. When you hold these cleats in your hand and compare them with something much cheaper, the quality of these is quite obvious. Something to keep in mind is that many people allege the sizing is slightly off and that it is best to get at least a half-size larger than you would normally wear.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about soccer cleats
When you get new soccer cleats you want them to be comfortable and to hug your feet tightly. This is basically the way it is with most shoes. When buying soccer cleats, however, you need to make sure you are getting shoes with soles made for the right surface, and ones made from high-quality materials. Below we have compiled some of the most commonly asked questions by past buyers.
What are soccer cleats exactly?
Boots are highly regulated. Most referees inspect them prior to starting a match to ensure they are up to standard and are safe for play. Whether you call them soccer cleats, soccer shoes, or simply boots, they all mean the same thing.
Which soccer cleats are suitable for each surface?
- Natural grass: This is the surface most often used for professional matches. The best cleats for this surface are those with aluminium or plastic interchangeable studs.
- Synthetic turf: You should always play with rounded studs so you have more stability and are less likely to injure yourself and others. This is more commonly played on by young and amateur players.
- Concrete/asphalt: You won’t use shoes with studs on these surfaces. The boots, therefore, have flat soles, but the material and design won’t vary very much from the type mentioned above.
Which soccer cleats are best for each position?
The game in midfield is generally more about precision. To avoid injury, midfield players require boots that have reinforced uppers for better strength and composure while shooting. Wingers, on the other hand, which tend to be the fastest players on the field, need cleats that make running as easy as possible. Strikers are going to want boots that maximize the amount of sensitivity they have in tight situations.
What types of soles do soccer cleats have?
| Type | Surface | Studs |
|---|---|---|
| Soft ground | Natural grass | Aluminium or mixed |
| Firm ground | Natural grass | Rubber |
| Artificial grass | Artifical grass | Rubber |
| TURF (multitack) | Dirt, cement, asphalt | Rubber multi-studs |
What size soccer cleats do I need?
If your foot is particularly wide you might be interested in getting a custom-made insole. If you don’t, you might end up hurting yourself. The 5th metatarsal is the bone on the outside of your foot, and without proper support, over time, you can end up with tension fractures. You can get lasts that help shape your boots before wearing them, but the best course of action is to get one that fits well.
How should I take care of my soccer cleats?
If you get leather boots, they take longer to prepare than synthetic ones. You need to waterproof them with horse fat or some kind of waterproofing wax or spray. You also need to transport and store leather properly so it doesn’t warp and deform.
What are the most recognised brands of soccer cleats?
There are, however, a number of other brands out there that try and compete with the big two. Puma is probably the brand the does this best. The company sponsors some big name players like Manchester City and Argentina star Sergio Aguero and French star Antoine Griezmann. Other known brands in the soccer world include Umbro, Kappa, Uhlsport, Topper, Lotto or Reebok.
Shopping Criteria
There is a lot of variety on the Canadian market when it comes to soccer cleats. This is great for the consumer because there are so many great choices out there. It also means you have to take some time to carefully evaluate the selection and get the right ones for you. In the below section we have laid out some of the most essential shopping criteria to apply to your purchase.
Variant
The first thing to keep in mind is the needs of the particular style of soccer you’re playing. If you play 11-a-side or 7-a-side you need studded cleats that are quite different from the ones required for futsal, for instance. If you are playing on hard, flat surfaces, you need boots that have flat soles.
Type of surface
As we just laid it out, you need to be aware of the different soles required for different surfaces. If you play classic football, you need cleats made for grass, artificial turn, or dirt. But that’s not all you have to consider.
Studs
Now you have almost all the necessary information to get the right cleat for you. As previously touched on, the studs are the defining characteristic of a soccer cleat, and perhaps the most important consideration. It would de very difficult to play on grass, dirt, or artificial turn without them. It would hard to maintain your balance and to accelerate and slow down.
Aluminium studs are best to play on natural grass, although you now have access to mixed aluminium and plastic cleats that can be effective. The latter is best if you are playing or practising on artificial turf. There are generally three kinds of pitch: 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation.
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Material
Now that we know about the basics when it comes to soccer cleats, and how important it is to get the right studs, sole for the surface, it’s time to look at the manufacturing material(s). The material is not quite as important as the aforementioned qualities. They won’t really have a major effect on how you play or the type of soccer you can play. Your preferred material is basically a function of your personal tastes and which you find the most comfortable. There are basically two material options to choose from:
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Natural leather | Very flexible, it adapts well to your foot and stride. | It absorbs water, affecting the weight of the shoe. The dyes will fade over time. |
| Synthetic material | It won’t absorb water at all. The dyes come in a wider chromatic range and will last longer. Made from the same material as the ball, they offer a more natural contact. | It won’t adapt to your feet as easily. |
Keepers
Goalies need special boots for their position. There are specific goalkeeper boots out there just for this unique position. Goalies have a tremendous amount of responsibility and are the last line of defence. This is why they need to carefully purchase their cleats.
If a goalie slips while defending the net and lets a goal in, they tend to feel terrible about it. Goalies, therefore, require good quality studs that provide maximum grip, control and contact. Pay attention to the studs if you are a goalie because they might just make you a hero.
Summary
The technology that underpins soccer footwear is always evolving. Changes come fast and Adidas and Nike are constantly revolutionizing and reinventing the market. They both do a ton of research and development constantly to make the best products.
Nike has already developed hybrids made with synthetic and natural leather. Adidas responded with two similar cleats. It can be easy to think that these high-tech boots couldn’t possibly evolve any further, but just wait. There will be new models next year that are lighter, made with better materials, more aerodynamic and more comfortable.
If you enjoyed our guide to soccer cleats and found it useful, share it with your friends and family on social media. Additionally, you can leave a comment in the below section and let us know what you think.
(Source of featured image: Anek Suwannaphoom: 42199020/ 123rf.com)
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