When running is involved, it is extremely important for your sports shoe to have some flexibility to it. Running around on a soccer field for a long period of time with a stiff shoe will not allow you to perform to the best of your ability.

The natural motion of running involves the forefoot flexing, thus this is where soccer players need flexibility the most. When running, we obtain the impulse from the forefoot flex and reduce shock with the heel. If there’s no flexibility present, the running motion would be obstructed.

In soccer, flexibility plays a role in dribbling, striking, and maneuvering in general. While the kicking shoe might not need to be flexible at the time of striking, the support foot does. Before striking the ball, the body assumes an inclined position that relies on the support leg, and if the shoe does not flex properly, it’s much harder to assume the kicking position.

There are a few main components that are majorly related to flexibility: torsion, materials in the construction of the design, and the outsole.

Torsion: The torsion relies on the ankle support. It is an aspect of flexibility that allows you to rotate instead of flex, which is necessary when players want to change direction while running at high speed. Their ability to turn around or change directions will rely on the ankle support and flexibility of the upper.

Materials: Fabrics have a big role in the flexibility of a soccer cleat. Stiff, hard materials won’t allow the shoe to flex along with the foot in the running motion. The materials of the upper should be thin and flexible. Bulky fabrics don’t have good flexibility; they’ll often dislocate the frame when trying to bend. Stick to soft leathers and other breathable materials that allow for adequate airflow.

Outsole: An outsole can optimize flexibility just as much as it can hinder it. A flexible upper alone cannot develop sufficient flexibility, but in combination with a flexible outsole, results are maximized. The materials of the outsole play a role in flexibility, but the design itself becomes an element as well.

The weight and flexibility go hand in hand because the more lightweight the shoe, the more flexible it will be overall. Sports footwear for all intents and purposes has quickly embraced weightless designs, due to the reduced effort required from athletes to perform motions.

It’s not only easier for players to run with lightweight footwear, but also easier to control the ball. By incorporating lighter, thinner materials to the build, players have access to superior ball sensitivity, which has a huge impact when it comes to running while in control of the ball.

Bulky footwear, on the other hand, requires greater effort to move around. This effort will not necessarily tire out the athlete, but it will be reflected in their performance. Their motor skills aren’t adapted to heavy cleats, thus potentially making them an obstacle. Soccer cleats with a minimalist approach offer a barefoot experience which prevents the player from feeling dragged down.

All players know the importance of an impact-absorbing cleat. Shock absorption is a particularly important element in firm ground soccer cleats because they’re harder than artificial fields, and the impact in shoes is much more forceful.

Firm-ground cleats should be equipped with superior impact-absorbing technologies and materials. Jogging footwear that lacks shock absorption generates heel pain usually around the first 60 minutes. Compare that to soccer players who run intensely for 90 minutes; without proper shock absorption and cushioning, you will quickly experience pain and discomfort.

A lack of shock absorption does not only become uncomfortable, but it can become quite painful at a certain point. In some cases, the pain might even extend to the next day in the form of heel soreness which can cause you to miss out on future games, or worse, create long-term damage to your feet. Cleats that properly reduce impact make running much easier and painless.

The absorption lies in the soles (the insole, midsole, and outsole).

Outsole: The outsole is the first element to make contact with the field’s surface, so it receives the full impact of each heel strike, which moves upwards in a vertical way. The outsole is usually not made to absorb impact due to the combination of the specific design and the outsole materials.

Midsole: Generally equipped with adequate materials to deal with the impact, the midsole plays the biggest role in the process of shock absorption. Some midsoles even use the same energy to impulse the next toe-off if performed fast enough. Depending on the amount of support and shock absorption needed, the midsole can range from quite thin to fairly thick.

Insole: The insole is the last element standing between the foot and the field. While the midsole should absorb shock efficiently, it would still cause damage if the foot was in direct contact with it. Not all cleats have a shock-absorbing insole, however, it does make a large difference in performance. The insole takes care of maintaining comfort during every impact; if it is lacking in quality, you risk the possibility of experiencing discomfort while you run.

Materials: There are multiple factors that are taken into consideration when manufacturing footwear for this sport. The most effective shock absorbers are unquestionably rubber derivatives and polyurethane. They are what most outsoles and midsoles of professional soccer cleats are made of. However, incorporated technologies might feature different materials, such as foam.

As for the insole, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is the material with the best shock-absorbing qualities. Despite its lightness, it’s a very tough compound when it comes to impact, and it also possesses anti-vibrating qualities and resilience.

Cushioning: At first sight, you may assume the amount of cushioning in a design only has to do with comfort, however, it also takes part in absorbing shock. An EVA insole, for example, delivers cushioning and impact absorption at the same time. Cushioning technologies such as air cushions and gel cushions have proven to be very efficient as well.

Amongst all the other things a pair of cleats can do, they also help you remain in control of a soccer ball. Soccer shoes can improve control just as much as they can reduce it, therefore the best cleats deliver a considerable amount of ball grip through many of their elements.

Features such as external textures and patterns increase the quality of the contact between the ball and the upper, and although they may seem just for show and looks, these patterns make a huge difference in ball handling and dribbling. You can tell the biggest difference while running, as that is when it is hardest to control the ball.

Getting a good grip on the ball is crucial, but it’s also important to get a feel for the ball as well. Which is where the idea of minimalist footwear comes in, as they fit like a second skin and have little to no cushioning or barrier between your foot and the ball.

The top part of a cleat should consist of a combination of premium fabrics and specific texturing. These fabrics must contain both grip and lightweight properties to deliver greater ball touch and control. The grip is provided by special textures and patterns on the shoe’s higher portion, which usually comes in the form of dots, diamonds or shapes made of the same material, but with a wrinkled texture.

The hardest point of ball control is undoubtedly running. As previously mentioned; bulky materials obstruct the foot’s range of motion, which is why it’s important for the upper build to feature lightweight materials.

Both the midsole and the outsole take part in ball control. The midsoles usually have lateral panels that contribute to lateral ball control. Not every motion in soccer is directed forward; in fact, lateral control is critical in a wide variety of circumstances, including running control and dribbling.

As for the outsole, some football cleats feature underfoot design for ball control. This design includes a measured space and distribution of the studs. Though not all cleats feature this design, shoes that do make quite a difference.

One of the most important things to players in a soccer game is scoring. While soccer cleats can’t aim for you, or score the goals alone, they can determine the result of a strike. Multiple factors can determine whether the ball ends in the net or against the post.

The upper is mostly the element that determines the quality of the ball rotation after a strike. If the technique is good, an upper build with the right features can make an enormous difference. However, there’s much more behind curves and accuracy than just fabrics, such as the weight of the cleat and the control over the ball.

The materials that make up the upper have an influence over the amount of friction between the ball and the shoe. This friction is what’s responsible for the curve that the ball will have. Though it ultimately depends on the striking technique, these materials can mean the small difference between getting that goal – or missing.

Some soccer footwear includes patterns around the most common striking areas to optimize each kick. These patterns make adding spin to the ball much easier and more secure. Leathers are great materials to keep control of the amount of spin and accuracy. The idea of the upper is not to give more or less spin; it’s to maintain the one you aim to give.

A shoe’s weight is another influencing factor in accuracy. By delivering a minimalist build, soccer shoes allow players to kick as if they were barefoot, meaning the lighter the shoe, the more accurate the shots. By accurate we mean the ball will go where you aim. A bulky shoe might add more force to the kick than what is really necessary, whereas thinner builds barely add any additional power or rotation to strikes.

How the cleat fits affects both curve and accuracy; a slim, tight shoe will prevent any internal movements, delivering a solid and precise strike. On the other hand, you can’t expect much from footwear that is not fitted well and allows your foot to move around.

It goes without saying that your soccer cleats will take quite a beating during their lifetime. It doesn't matter if you're a recreational player, or perhaps a semi-professional or a professional one; this type of footwear faces nothing but mud, grass, hard impacts and sometimes even blood during its wear. This all affects its longevity, and it is only natural that these shoes deteriorate faster than your average, everyday footwear.

There are several things that come into play here. Since taking it easy in your soccer footwear is not an option - after all, you want to get that ball and you want to score that goal - then choosing a design which is made from quality materials and with a quality construction is the next best thing.

Look for genuine leathers, if you can. They are more expensive, but they are far more durable than synthetics, which tend to flake and crease with time. Avoid mesh, canvas or any other form of textile (however, an exception could be made for special knit materials); these are lightweight and breathable, that's true, but they are also thin and will fall apart sooner rather than later.

Before you commit to your purchase, make sure that there are no obvious flaws in the design. The shoe needs to be properly glued or sewn shut in all the right places, and no seams should be sticking out, either outward or in.

If you are playing a game - or training - anywhere from three to seven times a week in the same pair of cleats that are well-made - you can expect them to last three to four months (one season). Two seasons, at best.

Overall, all of the designs we included in our list are quite durable. However, naturally, some are more durable than others. If this criterion is important to you, make sure to sort our list according to it, and to choose off the top for the most durable options!

When we talk about the value of a design, it is not only its price point that we're thinking of. The cost is a big factor in whether or not something is worth buying or having, but it is not the only one. Features like wearability, functionality, and durability are also important when it comes to value.

Because ultimately, we all want our footwear to be as high quality as possible for its given price range, don't we? If we're buying a budget pair of soccer cleats, then we want them to be solid for the amount of money we're paying. If we're buying a high-end pair, then we want it to go above and beyond.

Which brings us to our key aspect here: branding. In our list, we have incorporated a lot of the big brand names like Nike and Adidas. This isn't because they're popular, but because they truly do produce some of the highest quality footwear available for sports of all kinds, including soccer. After all, they had to gain their reputation somehow.

But if you're a beginner, or if you're a recreational player, and are not interested in spending so much money on a pair of shoes that will likely have to be replaced come next season, that's okay, too. Buying from other brands doesn't have to mean you're settling for lower quality; there are plenty of names out there who offer good products at an affordable price.

However, if you're interested in which items on our list give you the best bang for your buck, definitely don't hesitate to sort them according to Value. You'll find the best designs in their price range right at the top!