What Are Good Soccer Shoes for the Outdoors?

Soccer places high demands on a player's whole body, but especially the feet. Properly fitting soccer cleats with arch support are vital for providing optimal performance and preventing injury. Although players may have subjective opinions on which shoes are best for outdoor soccer, there are a few that have consistently appeared on many lists that evaluate each shoe for its performance.

  1. Adidas Predator

    • The Adidas Predator series is rated the No. 1 soccer shoe of the decade by Footy-Boots and is reported to give more power and control over the swerve of your kick. Worn by David Beckham during his meteoric rise to the World Cup, Adidas Predators quickly became a popular choice for soccer players around the world and have remained so for more than a decade. Distinguishing features include its ultra-low profile and the tongue that can be held in place with a Velcro backing.

    Mercurial Vapor I

    • Nike used Ronaldo to be the pitch man for the Mercurial Vapor I and it paid off with consistent sales since 2002. Ronaldo's legendary jersey #9 is printed behind the tongue, and the cleats themselves have uniquely long "teeth" to bite into the sod as you blaze down the field.

    Puma King XL

    • The original Puma King was re-engineered as the Puma King XL with fewer panels and softer leather to add more feel to the shoe. The Puma King XL also has a welcome heel protector for those ball challenges that get a little too close for comfort on the pitch.

    Umbro Speciali SX

    • Made from water-resistant kangaroo leather and ceramic, the Umbro line is an excellent, lightweight boot with a soft touch. The Speciali is the latest incarnation of the Umbro X-line and comes in white with the trademark red diamond pattern on the side. It adorns the feet of great English soccer stars like John Terry.

    Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho R10

    • Named after the famous soccer player from Brazil, the Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho R10 was made to the exact specifications designed by the man himself. Available in many different colors, these soccer cleats are well known for their touch and snug, but comfortable feel. The ones Ronaldinho wears are black with the trademark white Nike "swoosh" on the side.

    Lotto Zhero Gravity

    • Lotto is a well-known Italian sports shoe manufacturer that has been making reliable soccer cleats since the 1980s. The Lotto Zhero Gravity is Lotto's top-of-the-line soccer shoe that was specifically designed to stand up to the rigors of professional players. The shoe is made with a microfiber upper tongue area that does not have shoelaces. This results in the widest possible striking zone for accurate and powerful penalty kicks.