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Not all football cleats are made the same, and that’s especially true for players in the kicker or punter positions. For these, they need cleats that are especially light, and soft on the top of the foot, yet with an underside to be trusted in challenging circumstances.
With this in mind, we did the research and present this list of what we feel are the best models of kicking cleats for football you will find for the year 2024, and years immediately following.
Summary
- The Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 Men’s Football Cleat is what we would point to for kickers and punters, with an exceptional upper and toe design, and the brand’s known high-tech engineering.
- For the utmost in comfort out on the field, check out the Under Armour Men’s Blur Nitro MC Football Shoe. It’s soft, flexible, and is super light to let kickers snap that foot through the ball.
- The Adidas Men’s Adizero Football Cleats are very good players who want foot speed. Kickers and punters still have to chase and tackle ball carriers, after all.
- For the budget conscious, you can’t go wrong with the Puma Men’s Rapido Lii Firm Artificial Ground Sneaker, which is an excellent choice no matter the field surface.
- We like how the Dream Pairs Men’s Cleats look the most like what’s worn by kickers and punters on television or in stadiums.
- Our choice for the best all-purpose football cleats for kicking or punting is the Adidas FBG61 Football Shoe, which will excel at those positions as well as elsewhere on the field.
Why Special Football Cleats are Best for Kicking?
The positions of kicker and punter stand out from all the other various positions on a football field. Only these players have putting their foot on the ball as part of every play they’re involved with.
For someone totally unfamiliar with football, it would seem easy: step forward with one foot, bend at the knee on the other foot, then swing that latter foot forward with oomph and let the foot contact the ball hard, sending it flying forward through the air.
Everyone has kicked something in their life ~ and many of us have done it for distance!
The difference in football is how accurately the object is kicked. And, how squarely, as how far the ball travels also is a big deal.
That said, kicking a football takes precision, so players responsible for these actions pay attention to the shape and feel of their cleats ~ especially on top up front, where shoes meet the ball.
These positions do not need high-top cleats, or shoes with spikes too long. After the design of the upper-front, pay attention to the weight and materials used as outlined here.
What to Look for in Football Kicker’s Cleats
- Weight. Kicking cleats are typically very light, to allow for more precision control of the kicking foot through the ball. Football kicking is not a game of inches; it’s a game of millimeters.
- Upper. This is the top side of the foot, basically from the biggest toe knuckles to the start of the ankle. This is where the foot will touch the ball on kicks, and it’s important for this area to be flexible yet durable, yet as comfortable as possible.
- Material. Soft is good, especially on the top (upper) side. It’s okay to have vinyl or leather on the sides or back of the heel, as long as it is not too stiff or heavy.
- Bottom. Unless your region is often wet or snowy, kickers don’t always need really long cleats underneath. If they do, they only need it on the non-kicking foot, which is the landing foot opposite the kicking motion. Remember, the most important part of kicking cleats is comfort up top; if more grip is needed on the landing foot, just wear different cleats on each foot.
Our Choices: Best Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 & Beyond
1. Best Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 Overall ~ Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 Mens Football Cleat
Analysis
The Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 Men’s Football Cleat is a superb pair of shoes for any football player off the line of scrimmage, and for kickers we see it as extraordinary. The upper and toe design look like they were engineered for kicking footballs, even though they weren’t.
This is just an exceptional football cleat in many areas, so parents with fledgling kickers or punters can rest assured that this football shoe model will suffice just fine if used in other positions. In actuality, Nike markets this model for the fastest players, with a super lightweight upper and what is called a Ghost lacing system (meaning the laces appear hidden).
The studs are set wide, which helps much with traction and support during hard plants on kicks; or balance after the kick when the kicker or punter become tacklers.
Note: this Nike line also has options for Jordan models, which look like the first-edition Michael Jordan basketball shoes. These are not the models you want for kicking. As an aside, the Vapor line comes in a great variety of colors and color designs, making it that much more attractive.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.57 lbs.
- Material: Vinyl and plastic
- Style: Low-cut
- Special Feature(s): Internal chassis for arch support, snugness
What We Like
- Nike technology applied
- Super light in weight
- Options for colors and/or styles
2. Best Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 Runner-Up ~ Under Armour Men’s Blur Nitro MC Football Shoe
Analysis
Anyone who has worn a pair of this manufacturer’s athletic shoes understands this, but the Under Armour Men’s Blur Nitro MC Football Shoe is about as comfortable as you will find. The brand just seems to know how to make sports shoes that fit the feet well, and feel soft and flexible.
And there’s plenty here for performance, too. We really like the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) upper skin, which is very thin yet breathes well. The heel pocket is seriously padded and soft, a dream feel for any athlete. And for kickers who want foot speed post-kick, the “blur” and “nitro” in the model name is not just marketing banter.
The brand’s SuperFoam insole does the hard work of absorbing shocks; and the spike pattern is like those on track shoes, kind of like a shark’s bite into the turf for aggressive traction. The perimeter grip is something else on this football cleat; we would be surprised if buyers report slips at all.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.48 lbs.
- Material: Synthetic sole, textile upper
- Style: Low-cut
- Special Feature(s):
What We Like
- Ultra-comfortable as the brand is known for
- Super thin and light upper
- A spike pattern like no other, super for perimeter gripping
3. Best Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 Runner-Up II ~ Adidas Men’s Adizero Football Cleats
Analysis
As with the model noted above, the Adidas Men’s Adizero Football Cleats are very good for any football player in positions that don’t have to deal with the middle of the line of scrimmage. The Adizero is a fine model for players needing foot speed and sure footing, and it’s made by a brand known to deliver quality.
Just a quick look at the toe area of this shoe and you can imagine its ability to strike a football squarely. It’s just shaped well sloping toward the front of the toes, creating a fine touch point for the kicking foot onto the ball. Also, lacking are too many large seams that could get in the way of precision kicking.
The pattern of cleats underneath and the mesh upper are exceptional, as expected; but other fine details stand out also. Notice the heel tab, to go along with the tongue tab to make it easy to pull these cleats on. The TPU overlays offer support and stability, rounding out a superb kicking cleat for football.
Specifications
- Weight: 2.45 lbs.
- Material: Rubber sole, synthetic mesh upper
- Style: Low-cut hybrid
- Special Feature(s): Studded TPU outsole for traction
What We Like
- Smooth design of front upper for kicking
- Brand quality for sports
- Very comfortable rear heel setup
4. Best Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 on a Budget ~ Puma Men’s Rapido Lii Firm Artificial Ground Sneaker
Analysis
The price tag on the Puma Men’s Rapido Lii Firm Artificial Ground Sneaker shocked us at first. Here is a fine pair of shoes for football, which we appreciated for the sloped and cleat design on the front upper, at a price range that we don’t know how the manufacturer makes a profit.
Not that football kickers should care. Puma has made fine cleats for soccer and football going back a half-century now, and this model applies much of what Puma has learned about what football players like and need. Take note that the cleat pattern on the bottom is fine for both regular grass, and artificial turf.
This model is lighter in weight than those we reviewed above, and the no-frills appearance indicates a focus on performance over aesthetics. Believe it or not, a lot of football players like this. The multi-studded rubber outsole adds a nice touch for grip and stability for sports played on grass with goals at either end.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.22 lbs.
- Material: Rubber sole, synthetic upper
- Style: Low-profile regular
- Special Feature(s): Puma graphic design exterior
What We Like
- Low-priced for the quality
- Excellent front upper design good for kicking
- Extremely light in weight
5. Best Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 for Impact Cushioning ~ Dream Pairs Men’s Cleats
Analysis
The Dream Pairs Men’s Cleats just look like the shoes worn by those kickers seen on television. That ultra-padded look on the front upper sure looks cushy, especially attractive for those kickers or punters most concerned about the punishment the tops of their kicking feet will endure after numerous hard impacts with the inflated ball.
It’s not just the aesthetics that landed this model on our list. The TPU sole is durable and the cleats pattern superb for grass play. The cleats are rubber molded and in positions to allow ease of rotational movement.
These football cleats are super light, soft, and very comfortable, with a well-cushioned insole, and a premium DP combo upper. The design blends comfort with durability, something quite attractive for players in these positions.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.4 lbs.
- Material: Synthetic sole, textile upper
- Style: Low-cut soccer style
- Special Feature(s): Super-soft front upper
What We Like
- Soft elements and design above the toes
- Light in weight
- Designed for comfortable longevity
6. Best All-Purpose Kicking Cleats for Football for 2024 ~ Adidas FBG61 Football Shoe
Analysis
For those who happen to be kicking now and then, but who are still unsure which position to play long-term, we suggest looking at the Adidas FBG61 Football Shoe. These football cleats just have too much to offer all around to ignore ~ for kicking or not.
This brand has been engaged with the sport for many years, so you know the design is influenced by real-life input. The wrap around the toes lends itself to kicking a football, and we know Adidas models are built to last.
As stated, this is a solid utility cleat for young football players. Sure, kickers and punters can be successful with the model. But if they shift to another position, so be it, the FBG61 will deliver. Adidas just has way too much experience in delivering high-quality football wear.
Specifications
- Weight: 3 lbs.
- Material: Rubber sole and synthetic upper
- Style: Mid
- Special Feature(s):
What We Like
- Brand quality
- Durable
- Designed for the sport