5 Best Firm Ground Soccer Cleats in 2023
Amazing grip on firm grounds.
Reliable multidirectional traction
Classic soccer cleats, also known as Firm Ground or molded cleats, are the most common style of cleats. They generally come with non-removable conical or bladed studs that dig into the ground. They provide traction, mobility, and stability on most firm natural grass soccer fields.
The soccer cleats market is actually saturated with a firm ground style of shoes. This is understandable as the boot offers more versatility and the fact that most of us players are playing the game on natural grass pitches and firm surfaces.
With tons of options out there, it would be a little difficult for some to pick out the right one. That’s exactly why we are here. We’ve rounded up firm-ground soccer cleats. We’ve reviewed each one of them and put them through loads of tests. After the excruciating process, we featured the top performers, which you can check out in this article.
Best firm ground soccer cleats overall
Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite FG
88
Great!
What makes it the best?
If you take soccer seriously, then the Nike Zoom Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite FG is the right one for you. Being one of the most prized offerings from Nike, this soccer cleat is full of features that deliver undeniable performance benefits. Running across the pitch has never been this nice and smooth.
Pros
- Reliable multidirectional traction
- Amazing underfoot smoothness and comfort
- Best knit upper
- Comfortably supportive
- Breathable knit upper
- Accommodating structure
- Super light
- Withstands various weather conditions
Cons
- A bit too pricey
- Too similar to the previous version
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Nike
$213
Amazon
Free shipping
$351
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Best premium firm ground soccer cleats
Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite FG
85
Great!
What makes it the best?
Like the ones before it, the Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite FG easily pleases soccer players with its clever innovations and advanced techs. It's quite pricey as an Elite model, but it delivers on aspects that matter the most when it comes to performance on the pitch. If you are serious about soccer, this cleat won't be a disappointment.
Pros
- Very nice feel underfoot
- Dependable multidirectional grip
- Incredible ball touch
- Comfortable upper
- Very nice feel underfoot
- Slightly wider structure
- Incredibly lightweight
- Ready for all weather conditions
Cons
- Too expensive
- No significant performance uptick
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
Nike
$251
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best firm ground soccer cleats with knit uppers
Best indoor soccer shoes
86
Great!
What makes it the best?
As an elite model, the Gripknit Phantom GX Elite Firm Ground can really cost a lot. Fortunately, it delivers a lot as well. Soccer clears will not be left wanting more when it comes to performance. You can think of this as an investment, and you can expect big returns with every use.
Pros
- Amazing grip on firm grounds
- Incredible ball touch
- Shoe is of high quality
- Extremely comfortable all-around feel
- Highly breathable upper
- Very nice feel underfoot
- Quite attractive to look at
- Light and airy construction
- Pretty nice looks
Cons
- Needs time for break-in
- Quite expensive
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Nike
$250
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Best firm ground soccer cleats with leather uppers
Still needs to be broken in
80
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Still needs to be broken in is surrounded by so much hype, and it's for very good reasons. It is conservative enough, which satisfies Nike Tiempo fans but daring enough to attract skeptical new buyers/players. It boasts a true leather shoe feel, which was sorely missed in the Tiempo Legend 8. Its upper is also textured, which enhances ball friction. The fact that this shoe sports a modern look is already the icing on the cake.
Pros
- Light and airy construction
- Nice traction
- Conforming leather upper
- Comfort that's immediately felt
- Incredible ball touch
- Supportive fit
- Pretty nice looks
- Light
- Modern aesthetics
Cons
- firm ground soccer cleats
- Stud pressure
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
Nike
$162
Amazon
Free shipping
$200
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Best firm ground soccer cleats for beginners
Adidas Gamemode Knit Firm Ground
83
Good!
What makes it the best?
Given its price, performance capacities, and resistance to abrasion, we can say that the Adidas Gamemode Knit Firm Ground suits even those who are just starting to learn soccer. The shoe is able to withstand the expected messiness and extra pressure that a new player may put on it. If this cleat works for someone who is just stumbling and second-guessing their every move, you can just imagine the power that it lends to someone with better skills.
Pros
- Surprisingly nice quality
- Fits true to size
- Comfortable overall feel
- Still needs to be broken in
- Endures various weather conditions
- Dependable multidirectional grip
- Truly a bang for the buck
Cons
- Still needs to be broken in
- Not for players with wide feet
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$56
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Comparison of the 5 best firm ground soccer cleats
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How we test firm ground soccer cleats
To categorize the good, the great, and the truly superb, we have put in hours of testing and micro-level analysis. Our data-driven approach allows us to maintain our objectivity and provide our readers with valuable information when buying a new pair of FG soccer shoes.
Our entire selection process includes:
- Purchasing firm ground soccer cleats for testing using our own money. This ensures our freedom from bias or brand influence.
- Giving each model the same level of attention when it comes to lab analysis, checking and rechecking the various parameters of the shoes such as materials used, the durability of the studs, outsole construction, and many more. Inside our lab, we also slice the shoes into pieces to give us more information about the techs and components that are inside.
- Playing actual games of soccer on firm ground pitches to get a real sense of its fit, traction, ball control, and shooting performance. We spend an unbelievable amount of time in each of the shoes to assure that our observations are well-founded.
