The Lightest Soccer Cleats Revealed
When they fit well and feel comfortable, soccer cleats can make all the difference between a bad and a great game on the pitch. That is why big companies such as Nike, Adidas, and UnderArmor, just to name a few, have been consistently releasing soccer cleats aimed at boosting your top speed and agility on the big stage. Everyone is trying to find the lightest soccer cleats, so we have decided to review the best ten so you’re not too weighed down…
***For a detailed review of the 10 lightest cleats on the market check out the article below…
Tips on Choosing the Best, Lightest Soccer Cleats in the Market
Whether you are seasoned player or still green to the game, everyone needs help selecting the best pair of cleats. The soccer cleat market changes and evolves fast, and there are so many options to choose from in the market, that making the correct decision can become a bit of a nightmare.
Does the Weight of your Soccer Cleats Really Matter?
The weight of your cleats is an important aspect to consider when making your purchase since this will directly affect your speed as well as agility. A few years ago, the average weight of soccer cleats stood at around 9.50z, however, this has changed fast, and the mean now stands closer to the 8oz mark. This trend is a testimony of the importance of light cleats on the pitch, especially for strikers who depend heavily on their quick feet to take split-second action.
As the saying goes, ‘the shoe does not make the player’, nonetheless, any shoe that adds unnecessary weight when on the field will surely affect your performance adversely. On the other hand, lightweight boots have to compromise when it comes to durability since they have to be made from very light material. They also offer less protection since they generally feature less padding compared to other types of cleats.
Factors to Consider Before you Buy
Buying the right pair of light football cleats is a delicate balance that requires some serious consideration. To make it easy for you, we have compiled some of the most important factors you should consider to increase your chances of buying the best cleats.
Consider your Playing Conditions
Before going for the lightest pair of cleats, you should consider the playing conditions of the wearer. For instance, are you a winger who needs the speed and agility to attack and your team from dispossession, or are you a striker who needs maximum speed and maneuverability while passing and shooting the ball? Asking yourself such questions will enable you to look for specific features in your cleats such as fit, comfort, grip, or material used.
In general, lightweight cleats are suited for offensive players who need speed and agility. For defensive players, it is better to go with cleats that offer more stability and protection in terms of padding.
Personal Preference
After determining that you actually need light cleats, the next question is to consider your personal preferences. For instance, depending on your foot anatomy, you may need more ankle support than others. If that is the case, you may need to compromise a bit on weight and go for boots with an ankle support. You may also need more feet cushioning, more heel and mid-sole padding, all of which increase the weight of the cleats. Fortunately, there are many lightweight cleats designed with all the extra features you may need to boost your performance and maximize your comfort.
Materials used in the Upper
When it comes to the material that makes the upper, it always boils down to personal preference. Some players like the natural, glove-like fit of leather boots, while some would rather have the consistent performance offered by synthetic uppers.
In order to keep things as light as possible, most lightweight cleats feature synthetic uppers or mesh. Synthetic materials are very light and thin, but not durable. Mesh is the same sort of material used in running shoes. It is very light due to its thin nature. However, it allows moisture to pass through, so it has the potential to make your cleats even heavier and leave your feet wet.
High-end companies such as Nike and Under Armor have been working hard in the recent years to produce synthetic materials that mimic the qualities of natural leather. This synthetic leather comes with more features such as higher flexibility, being waterproof, etc. however, you also lose some of the natural qualities of leather such as the natural feel of the ball while on the pitch.
Pro Tip:
There has been an industry trend where manufacturers are producing lighter and lighter cleats. This means that there is a surge of light materials being used to make cleats at the expense of durability. As a result, we have a situation where a pair of soccer cleats can rarely last a whole season, while in the past, a good pair would last even two. Therefore, if you are looking for durability, you should opt for cleats that are at least above 9 oz.
Our Pick of the Lightest Soccer Cleats on the Market Today
PUMA Men's evoSPEEDSLFG-M Price not available
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Puma also have their version of a super lightweight cleat named the evoSpeed SL that weighs only 5.6oz. It offers a comfortable and light feel. It comes with the same soleplate and stud pattern as those in earlier SL models.
These shoes perform best when playing on firm natural grass in terms of both maneuverability and stability. Note that the stud configuration on these shoes are made exclusively for firm natural grass and they perform poorly on softer surfaces and using them on artificial surface or hard ground will wear them out fast.
Pros
- Very light
- Comfortable and offers exceptional performance on natural grass
Cons
- Performs poorly on other surfaces apart from natural grass
- The insole is extremely thin and doesn’t provide sufficient padding
adidas Messi 10.1 Firm Ground (7) White Price not available
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The Adidas F50 adiZero soccer cleats also weigh in as some of the lightest in the market, thanks to their all-synthetic build. They have a unique design and offer great performance whether on wet or dry conditions, soaking very little water which means that they stay weightless even when the pitch is drenched.
The technology fitted into these boots is also out of this world. It contains the miCoach SPEED_CELL which collects data such as the distance traveled, average speed and other useful data that can give you valuable insight on your performance. However, many users have complained of difficulties connecting the miCoach chip to their PCs.
Pros
- Contains miCoach SPEED_CELL tracking technology
- Comfortable and offers great performance in all weather
Cons
- Difficult to connect the miCoach chip to a computer
- The ultra-thin upper provides little protection
Adidas F50 adiZero Leather (6.6oz) Price not available
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The Adidas F50 adiZero Leather is a hybrid version of the original and also the heaviest, but there is a reason why. At only 6.6oz, these are still some of the most weightless cleats you can find in the market. Even though they feature a leather build on the upper, they still soak very little water, thus staying just as light.
They can be used on both artificial turf and natural grass thanks to the modified stud configuration, making them a very functional investment. They offer a comfortable fit, but make sure you pick the right size, more so if your feet are wider than average.
This model also comes fitted with the miCoach tracking technology which records player data. Take these out and the weight drops to just 6.0oz.
Pros
- Great for playing on both artificial turf and natural grass
- Light with perfect fit
- Offer performance tracking technology
Cons
- Problems connecting the miCoach chip
PUMA Unisex-Adult Evospeed 1 FG-U Price not available
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The Puma evoSPEED 1 was designed with only two things in mind: acceleration and speed. Weighing in at only 6.3oz, when you are in these, you’ll feel weightless.
The upper is constructed using thin monolayer microfiber that features a dotted design for better ball handling. Inside, it contains the EverFit cage that provides stability when coupled with the lightweight one-piece outsole on the outside.
These cleats are highly flexible and feature a TPU outsole stud pattern instead of the normal carbon fiber normally spotted on Puma boots. You will have to get used to the feel of the evoSPEED 1 before you gain proper ball control, but it will be all smooth sailing after that.
Pros
- Offers great ball handling performance
- The TPU stud configuration offers great traction
- Provides comfortable fit and stability with the EverFit cage
Cons
- The leather version picks up dirt easily making it necessary to clean it often
- Some users have complained of blisters on the toes during the breaking-in period
![Nike Neymar Mercurial Vapor XI FG Cleats [Racer Blue] (9)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ify6yYnDL.jpg)
Nike Neymar Mercurial Vapor XI FG Cleats [Racer Blue] (9) Price not available
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The Nike Vapor XI also make for some feather-weight soccer cleats that offer the necessary speed and agility for offensive players. It has been lauded by international players such as Ronaldo, Ozil and Ibrahimovic. At 6.9oz, they are an extremely lightweight cleat.
They are comfortable to wear thanks to the soft and flexible microfiber upper and a two-blade heel design, the first of its kind in the market. It also features a flexible soleplate and innovative stud configuration that provides the much needed grip and traction on the pitch.
Pros
- Light and comfortable with a wider forefoot than normal
- The soft micro-fiber upper offers a natural and comfortable feel
- Two-blade heel design provides a lot of traction
Cons
- Unusually sharp design of the heel blades
- The suede upper scratches easily and is difficult to clean (think before you pick white)
PUMA Men's Evospeed 17 Firm Ground Sneaker, Ultra Yellow-Peacoat-Orange Clown Fish, 12.5 M US Price not available
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The Puma evoSPEED 17. SL represents one of the lightest, and also one of the softest pair of cleats that money can buy. Like any other great kangaroo leather boots, these ones will also need a little patience before they start feeling like their yours. Other than that, you will love the light, comfortable feel, especially after the breaking in period is over and they stop constraining your feet too much.
With a listed weight of 5.3oz, these shoes are quite impressive, considering they have a leather upper, well-padded insole, a leather tongue, and a suede heel liner. The all-new Duo Flex soleplate and stud configuration combination give the soleplate high flexibility that makes you feel like you are barefoot. It comes with conical studs that provide excellent traction and stability.
Pros
- Made from high-quality material
- Easy to break in
- Features Duo Flex soleplate design and stud configuration for maximum stability
Cons
- Picks up a lot of dirt
- Not the most appealing boots available
To Sum Up
If choosing the right pair of light cleats is what you need to take your game to the next level, then this comprehensive list has something for everyone. Whether you are seeking to improve on speed, agility, passing, shooting or you need a drastic adjustment in your radical movements, the right pair of lightweight cleats will help you achieve your goal.
In our list and have a spare bit of cash then you certainly couldn’t go wrong with the Adidas F50 adiZero weighing at 5.8oz, available in a few different funky colors with the benefit of built-in technology to help you track your performance.
Check out the full history of the boot here: