The best football cleats for you are based on the position you play, the type of surface you play on, how much protection you want for your ankles and how comfortable the shoes feel to you. Shoes that provide support and traction while also allowing your feet to breathe are generally the way to go. Manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Under Armour make popular football cleats and dominate the market. As in all sports, the technology in football cleats is ever evolving. In January 2011, Adidas announced the creation of what it termed the lightest and fastest football cleat ever created, the 6.9 oz. 5 Star, with a new stud design shaped like a triangle instead of circular.
Height
Football cleats come in three different styles, low-cut, mid-cut and high-top. High-tops are mostly used by linemen, who need the extra ankle support because they are constantly moving laterally. Midcut shoes are often worn by quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs. Low-cuts are worn by players who are willing to trade away some ankle protection for the lightest weight shoes to maximize quick cuts and ability to maneuver.
Materials
Cleats come in two basic types: one for use on grass and the other for use on hard or artificial turf. Turf shoes use molded and permanently attached cleats that give you better spring and more traction on harder surfaces. Detachable cleats or spikes are meant for grass, dry or wet, and come in different sizes. You can use shorter spikes for dry and firm grass and longer spikes for wet and sloppy fields. Shoe material also comes in two basic types. Leather shoes breathe better and are more flexible and durable than shoes made from synthetic material, although synthetic shoes tend to be cheaper.
Top-Sellers
Dick's Sporting Goods lists the best-selling football cleats on its website. The list is dominated by the Nike and Under Armour, in particular the Nike Zoom Vapor and the Under Armour Molded Blur. Other top-selling shoes include Adidas and Reebok midcut models and Nike high-tops.
Top-Rated
Of course, the best-selling shoes are not necessarily the best shoes, although the Galt Buying Guide also recommends a Nike shoe, the Super Speed D 3/4 Football Cleats model, as the best of the breed in high-tops. The shoe features a molded vent system and ankle windows with mesh to allow your feet to breath, a sockliner that is light and fits the foot and a new seven stud outsole. Galt likes two midcut shoes, the Reebok NFL Electrify SD 3 and the Adidas Pro Intermediate Football Cleats. The former has a detachable two-piece outsole plate for better traction and the latter is a synthetic shoe that is flexible and durable. Low-cut choices include the Adidas Grid Iron 7D, a lightweight synthetic shoe with detachable cleats and the Nike Vapor Jet 4.2 with a newly molded outsole for better traction and support.
Youth
If your youngster is playing in a football league, check its regulations to see whether certain types of football cleats are either required or prohibited. Galt Buying Guide recommends the Nike Land Shark Kids Football Cleats as a lightweight shoe with good ankle support and traction. Galt also likes the Reebok Little Kid/Big Kid NFL Jr. Mid II, a synthetic mid-cut that is breathable and moisture resistant with rubber soles for good traction.
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