What are the most popular soccer cleats in 2023?

You can't go wrong with opting for your next pair of soccer cleats from the Nike Mercurial range. These Air Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 cleats are built for speed, with a data-driven speed cage that locks down your foot for those pacy runs. They also feature flex grooves that sit directly inside the soleplate, bringing your foot closer to the pitch for superior energy return.

The Phantom GX is another one of Nike's most popular silhouettes. The latest version has a dynamic fit, so the cleat becomes a part of your foot for superior ball control. It also has an asymmetrical collar for a snug fit around the ankle. Tri-star studs with flex grooves in the forefoot help you to change direction quickly, so you're always ahead of the opposition.

adidas have a few Predator options, but their latest in the range, the Predator Accuracy+, has been a hit with players and fans. The upper is designed with care to create four distinct ribbed sections, helping to elevate your dribbling and control skills whilst optimizing swerve and power. The stretchy collar gives you a sock-like fit and adaptive support for all shapes.

If you're looking for a popular pair of cleats that offer you explosive pace, look no further than the adidas X Speedportal. Recently released in the Parley pack, these eco-friendly cleats were created to provide players with soccer cleats that help them go beyond their limits and reach serious speed levels. A key feature is improved flexibility in the forefoot, with a new Velocity Plate to maintain forward propulsion.

New Balance's Furon range is immensely popular, and at the beginning of 2023, the brand released new signature cleats for Bukayo Saka. They come with personalized features like the words 'Unity' and 'Progressed' embossed in silver on either side of the cleats. The off-center lacing produces an increased strike zone, making it a great option for creative players like Saka.

The Tekela range is another brilliant option from New Balance's range of soccer cleats and boasts some fantastic features. The cleats come with an increasingly popular high collar, which players love as it gives a snug, sock-like fit. A multi-directional stud configuration will allow you to move in any direction easily and quickly. The brand new 'Dizzy Heights' colorway is also unbeatable and makes you stand out from the crowd.

Neymar Jr has consistently been the face of almost every release by PUMA, and this one is no different. The cleat's contract with the Paris Saint Germaine player has made FUTURE cleats hugely popular, and the latest editions come in a wavy new colorway. The cleats feature key contact zones on the upper surface that will enhance your grip on the ball so that you can play like Neymar.

The Ultra range from PUMA is excellent if you're looking for a classic pair of soccer cleats. They're popular out on the soccer field and have been donned by the likes of Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli. These cleats offer an old-school monochrome colorway that will never go out of style and have a low-knitted collar for comfort and a secure fit.

Knowing the difference between the various pitch surfaces you can buy soccer cleats for can be confusing. So, here's a simple breakdown so you can buy the right cleats for your next adventure on a soccer field.

Firm Ground (FG)

Built with studs shaped like blades that help dig into natural grassy terrain for excellent grip, there's nothing more popular on the market. Firm-ground options sell well because they're ready to go whatever the weather as a cleat for all seasons. So whether you're baking in summer sunshine or frozen underfoot in the winter, these will have you covered.

Soft Ground (SG)

Soft ground cleats are designed for longer, muddy grass, making them ideal for playing in rainy places like the United Kingdom. Crafted with conical studs both longer and more rounded than the typical cleat, the soft-ground option helps you dig in and avoid slippage in wet conditions.

Multi-Ground (MG)

Designed to deliver the best of both worlds between the firm and soft ground options, multi-ground cleats look to ensure that you won't trip up whether you're playing on robust or rubbish turf. While they're built to tackle most surfaces, there is a caveat to their overall quality. Despite their versatility, their shorter studs have less grip than you'd find elsewhere.

Artificial Ground (AG)

Synthetic surfaces typically offer greater resistance than natural grass, meaning cleats are crafted with short hollow studs to help transition the natural impact of the body without causing lasting damage to joints. Be wary of the kind of cleats you'll need, with varieties frequently adapted to suit 3G, 4G or even 5G pitches.

Astro Turf (TF)

It's easy to muddle the perceptions of artificial grass with astro turf, given both deliver simulated experiences compared to authentic pitches. But there's more than meets the eye, with both possessing crucial differences in make-up and thus requiring a different kind of cleats to specialize with. These bring short rubber studs into play and bouncy soles to allow for additional spring in your step.

Indoor Court (IC)

Also known as futsal cleats, these are specifically designed to deliver fluid experiences on hard flooring, leaving black marks behind as a thing of the past. Their rubber soles are specifically designed to do just that, while an additional bounce to the bottom helps enhance natural reactiveness.