New soccer cleat material comes and goes, but a time-tested option many wears to this day is leather. The combination of comfort and playability is hard to match, even if there are more durable options available.
What are the five best leather soccer cleats? While the selections might be a little smaller than in the past, the top companies still understand that the demand is there.
1. Nike Tiempo Legend 9
With so many different soccer shoe options out there, why do pros keep coming back to the Nike Tiempo Legend series? Nike does a great job of keeping things relatively simple, while also adding some innovation to the mix.
One of the first things people notice with this cleat is that it is the lightest Tiempo at this point. It’s a complaint that some have had in the past, as leather shoes do tend to carry a little bit of extra weight. It has a very low profile, and is designed specifically for attackers.
Great technology throughout the shoe makes this a perfect option for elite players. The soft foam on the upper allows for great dribbling, passing, and shooting. Being able to cut easily on the playing surface opens things up as well.
With a few different colors to choose from, the Nike Tiempo line is always going to be very highly regarded. This is a perfect solution for the advanced player looking for the ultimate feel.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Easy to make cuts
- Low profile
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the most durable
2. Adidas Copa Sense
One of the highest quality leather football cleats out there is the Adidas Copa Sense. The company has done a great job of making it a comfortable shoe, while also offering top-line ball control. This makes it a favorite for players who love the leather feel, and don’t want to give that up.
Using a foam called SensePods, players find it pretty easy to deal with that space between the heel of the foot and the back of the shoe. Having that extra amount of stability and softness makes it perfect to wear all match long.
TouchPods are used in the front of the shoe to help with receiving and controlling the ball. This is one of the reasons why people go with leather cleats in the first place, and the touch does not disappoint. This makes it feel like a much more premium shoe just by offering this technology.
SoftStuds work exactly as they should with outstanding flexibility and traction. Players can make changes very quickly without feeling any type of slippage. Get the right size, and it will feel like part of the foot.
All in all, there’s a reason why some of the top players in the world wear this cleat. It comes in a laceless and lace option depending on what fits a player’s profile best.
Pros
- Excellent maneuverability
- Great feel when controlling the ball
- Laced and laceless option
Cons
- Expensive
- People with wide feet complain about tightness
3. Puma King Platinum 21
The Puma King line has been around for a long time. The company has been working on making this classic soccer cleat a modern option that advanced players want to rely on. The Puma King Platinum 21 is standing out as a great option.
Everything about the cleat looks simple at first, but that’s not the case at all. It’s a premium shoe that top-level players rely on, and a lot of it comes down to design. It has some of the softest K-Leather available for perfect fit and feel. A lot of people believe that this is the best leather on the market today.
Using KingForm technology, there is a rib structure that connects to the K-Leather in the main contact areas. This helps with touch and responsiveness when controlling the ball all around the field.
Puma has always been a player in the soccer world, but its popularity comes and goes. After receiving such favorable reviews with these cleats, it’s safe to say that they are very much a major player in the football game currently.
Pros
- Simplistic look
- Outstanding K-Leather
- Added durability
Cons
- Limited color choices
- Expensive
4. Umbro Tocco Club
A lot of people look at the Umbro Tocco Club as the best budget leather boots for soccer on the market right now. The company has always been a bit on the cheaper side, but they still provide an excellent combination of comfort and performance.
They decided to make a few adjustments to this version of the cleat, which is perfect for all different types of players. For example, there is a knitted collar that provides a much better fit than ever before. They’ve also made a way to get the heel fitting closer to the foot, which keeps everything locked down.
Stud positioning has also improved to get a better grip as well as endurance. This is all in a cleat that is very inexpensive. While it might not be perfect for advanced players who need the best of the best, it’s great for those who are still developing their soccer skills and want something that will perform for an entire season.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Much better fit than before
- Improved durability
Cons
- Not designed for top-of-the-line players
- Limited color choices
5. Adidas Kaiser 5 Liga
One of the reasons why people go with a leather cleat is because they like the old-school look and feel. If that’s exactly what someone is looking for, the Adidas Kaiser 5 Liga is probably the best option right now.
Adidas keeps this pretty affordable, and the full-grain leather is perfect for many different styles of play. It has a fast-drying lining that ensures that people will stay perfectly comfortable in the middle of a match.
There have been some modern additions to this old-school shoe, which makes it perfectly suitable to play right now.
Even if it is used strictly as a practice shoe, the Adidas Kaiser 5 Liga is worth the investment. It’s not a very expensive shoe at all, and it looks like an option that catches plenty of attention.
With so many companies trying to tap into the retro market, Adidas does so by still offering something with actual performance.
Pros
- Old-school look
- Much improved leather
- Lighter than many imagine
Cons
- Not too many high-end soccer players feel it’s worth using in matches
- Size availability is not always there
Are Leather Cleats Still Worth Wearing?
Soccer players are always going to have their personal preferences as far as footwear is concerned. Not only do you need to feel comfortable running around all day, but getting that feel on the ball makes a big difference as well.
Top-end players know that they need speed to stay competitive. Leather is great, but if they have to sacrifice speed, it’s hard to make that change. That’s why companies have spent so much time trying to make options available that are lightweight enough for the best players to endorse.
Leather cleats aren’t perfect, but advancements have been made that ensure that they aren’t weighing someone down. For that reason, they are still worth investing in for those who love the feel.
