The 25 Best Soccer Cleats of All Time

posted by Bryan Byrne |

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Adidas Predator LZ1 The 25 Best Soccer Cleats of All Time

No. 1 – adidas Predator LZ

Weight: 8.0oz
Released: 2012
Highlight: A boot that features 5 Lethal Zones, designed to improve ball handling, control and feel.

Top spot on the list goes to the latest installment of the Predator range simply because they are the best all round performing boot ever released. In a crazy twist. I wouldn’t actually rate this boot as the best Predator ever released. The Predator range has always represented Power, but adidas has made a dramatic shift that makes the LZ more of a control hybrid. Each of the 5 performance areas that sit across the upper has been strategically positioned to help improve ball control, handling and feel for increased precision and accuracy with every touch. The five zones include: First Touch, Dribble, Sweet Spot, Drive and Pass – each serve a very valid purpose and it is down to the individual player to find the ones that work best for them. They are comfortable, offer a glorious fit thanks to their hybridtouch upper, provide solid traction, have just enough technology to continually entertain your senses without overload…..to date, they rank as the most complete package that any player has ever worn!

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  • michael

    u missed the adidas predator manias

  • dub

    this is a cool as list. nice work!

  • dub

    no. 11, the Vapors, those last for about a month before they blow out. i’m sure it’s different for the custom ones that the pros wear, but not for plumber Joe paying $1-200 for them

  • Riley

    A decent list but the Vapor 8 should be higher. And having worn the LZs, I’m not sure they should be in the top 10. The zones seemed gimmicky to me

  • Huff eja

    This should have been number 1

  • Jason Chua

    Can’t quite believe there wasn’t space for the Mizuno Morelias (Japan Versions) one of the best leather boots around comparable with the Copas.

  • Chris

    The vapor IV should definitely be on this list somewhere. Best pair of boots I’ve ever worn

  • Paul

    Even though I have always been an adidas guy(nike never fit my feet well), the NIke Vapor III was, and still is my favorite boot. It looks better than any other boot, it was light and the stud pattern was incredible for its time. NIke also had it on the market for a long time, releasing so many colours – Thierry Henry wore the white/gold, C. Ronaldo the Red/White, Drogba the blue/white, Ronaldo the yellow/green. Forget the technology – these boots were sleek, light and had classy swag

  • Sung

    Is the new F50 and the new CTR 360 not good enough compared to the older versions?
    I’m considering getting the two pairs but it seems that the only new one available in this list was the Preds.

  • Ccjshs

    I disagree with the first choice. I believe it is a great cleat but it definitely isn’t the best around.

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  • Peter

    i think there are many boots missed out… i know everyone has different taste and its hard to compress to top 25 but dont really agree with top10 you have there.. but generally all the boots you’ve chosen are great! :)

  • burgie

    I have always worn puma king. In HS days I could get 3+ years out of them playing hard on them 4 to 5x a week. These “new and improved” kings lasted less then one season of medium intensity play. They are not as good as the older Kings and should not be in this list. Put the Puma King Classic up instead.