A Complete Guide to the Best Leather Soccer Cleats of 2024
What are the best leather soccer cleats out right now? The beautiful game is always evolving and new technology is introduced every year, but sometimes nothing beats the iconic look and feel of a fresh pair of leather cleats.
Soccer cleats are one of the most important piece of soccer gear and equipment that you will not want to forget to pack inside of your bag. If you are an old-time fan of leather cleats, or if you are looking for a new pair of wide or comfortable cleats, leather cleats might provide the solutions you are looking for.
In this blog, I will go over the best leather cleats to invest your money in right now as well as provide tips for how to find the right cleats.
Top Picks for Best Leather Soccer Cleats
There are a lot of high quality leather soccer cleats on the market and all of the choices on this list are cleats that I have either tried, have good reviews online, or have been recommended by other soccer enthusiasts.
Best Overall: Nike Tiempo Legend Elite
Leather soccer cleats don’t really get any better than the Nike Tiempo Legend Line, which has been consistent in making the highest quality leather cleats for nearly two decades now. Made from premium kangaroo leather, these cleats have a long lifespan, provide a custom, but snug fit, and can be used on natural grass surfaces as well as occasionally on artificial grass.
Unfortunately, the newest model, the Nike Tiempo Legend X is made from synthetic leather, due to animal rights activists, so if you want the classic leather Tiempos you will have to look for the older models such as the Nike Tiempo Legend 9.
Best Budget Option: Nike Tiempo Legend Pro
If you are a player on a budget looking for high quality leather cleats the Nike Tiempo Legend Pro is the go-to choice. These cleats are the takedown model of the Nike Tiempo Legends and for only a fraction of the cost they still provide a very high quality leather boot.
Similar to the last pair of cleats, if you want to find real leather Nike Tiempo Legend Pros, you will have to look for the older models since unfortunately the newer models are made from synthetic leather.
Best Classic Leather Cleat: Copa Mundial
Adidas Copa Mundial
$180
Most leather cleats will provide a classic feel, due to the natural material, but nowadays they will be designed with a more modern look. If you are looking for a classic pair of leather cleats, with an old school look, the Adidas Copa Mundial is the perfect choice.
The Adidas Copa Mundial have been some of the best leather cleats for years now and they are a pair of cleats you can never go wrong with.
Best Indoor Leather Shoe: Adidas Samba
Adidas Samba
$69-82.96
Similar to the Adidas copa Mundial, the Adidas Samba indoor soccer shoes are an iconic leather shoe with an old school look and feel. These are arguably some of the most popular indoor soccer and futsal shoes of all time and there is a high chance you may have seen players wear these before. I’ve even seen people that don’t play the game wear these shoes because they are so comfortable.
Best Turf Leather Shoe: Puma King Top Turf
Puma King Top TF
$98
The Puma King Top turf soccer shoes stand out as the best in their category. With a classic feel and look, but with a modern touch, these are some of the most comfortable and nicest looking turf shoes on the market. The shoes even come with the iconic fold-over tongue design.
Honorable Mention for Best Overall: Made in Japan Mizuno Morelia
Mizuno Morelia
$320 on MizunoUSA
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Last, but not least we have an honorable mention for the best leather soccer cleats, the MIJ Mizuno Morelia. I have not personally tried these boots yet, but from the reviews I’ve read and watched, as well as how high ranking these boots are on other lists, I had to include it in here.
What makes these boots so especially is that they are handcrafted and made in japan with the highest quality premium kangaroo leather.
The Advantage of Leather Cleats over Synthetic Cleats
Durability:
Cleats made from high quality leather will usually last longer than synthetic materials, which means that over time you will be saving money by not having to buy new cleats as often.
Comfort
Leather cleats are usually some of the highest quality cleats you can get because the natural material will literally mold to the shape of your foot, providing a unique and custom fit that synthetic cleats cannot provide.
Weight
Since they are made from thicker materials, leather soccer cleats will weigh more than synthetic cleats, but this slight difference will not make a huge impact on your overall speed and athleticism.
Protection:
Again, since leather cleats are made from thicker materials they will provide more protection than synthetic cleats when it comes to getting stepped on or kicked by an opponents’ soccer cleats.
Wet cleats
The one disadvantage of wearing leather cleats comes when playing in wet conditions because the cleats may get a bit heavier, since the leather will soak up the water, while synthetic cleats will not soak up the water.
Tips for Choosing Leather Soccer cleats
Before you go invest in a new pair of leather cleats make sure to use these tips to find the right pair for you.
- Read reviews of people who have tried the cleats you are interested in
- Check to see if the turf shoes’ shape matches your foot’s shape
- Consider wider cleats if you have wide feet
- Try on the turf shoes with soccer socks or grip socks that you would wear in a real game or training
- Check the measurements and compare to your foot measurements
- Avoid cleats with an overly tight fit
- Do a bit of research on the size guidelines for the brand you are interested in to know if you need perfectly sized shoes or a size under or over
Summary
To summarize, leather cleats are some of the highest quality cleats, especially compared to most synthetic cleats, and in this article we explained everything you need to know. From their advantages, and a disadvantage, to how to choose the right cleats for you, as well as by giving you some of the best recommendations for finding a reliable pair of leather cleats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Leather Soccer Cleats Better?
Leather soccer cleats usually offer more comfort, protection, and a custom fit compared to synthetic cleats, but they are a bit heavier. The weight won’t make a difference but there is no better soccer cleat because it all comes down to preference. In my opinion, leather cleats are far superior.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
