When you’re young playing sports like soccer can be one of the best ways to build your strength and make friends and is something that I would encourage all children to get involved with if it is an activity that you think they’ll love.
You may not think that kitting out your toddler in the proper equipment is strictly necessary at such a young age, however, it can be just as crucial when it comes to keeping them safe on the soccer field.
As with anyone wanting to play soccer, getting your toddler a good pair of cleats should be one of the first things you purchase when they’re just getting started.
If you’re struggling to find the right pair for your child, then you’re in luck! Today we are going to be exploring the range of soccer cleats available for toddlers.
Here are the 7 best soccer cleats for toddlers.
1. Adidas Predator Edge+
For a long time, the German brand Adidas has been the market leader when it comes to children’s versions of soccer cleats.
Unlike many of their rivals, Adidas have focussed on de-scaling their mainstream cleats rather than producing new models, this is something that is now commonplace in the industry.
There are plenty of great choices when it comes to Adidas’ cleats (as we will discover later), but the only place to start is with their legendary Predator range.
Arguably the most famous model of soccer cleats ever produced, they are one of the best choices for a child that already wants to look and feel the part.
What makes the Predator Edge+ cleats so dazzling is the amazing red and lightning-yellow colorway, something that is sure to make your child stand out from the crowd during their matches.
In terms of features, the cleats are completely lace-less which can be a real advantage for children that are yet to learn how to tie their shoelaces as they won’t constantly be coming to the side-lines for help.
The ribbed design of the cleats also makes them ideal for toddlers that are learning to pass and shoot the ball with more power and control.
Price-wise, they are good value for money at around $40 (when on sale).
Pros
- Price
- Color
- No Laces
Cons
- Firm Ground Only
2. New Balance Tekela v4 Magique
From one pair of lace-less cleats to another. The New Balance Tekela v4 Magique is a brilliant choice for those that want to have a pair of cleats packed with high-end features for a fraction of the price tag.
Despite starting out at around $50 a pair, you can now find them for less than $30 on sale these days making them a great choice for beginners.
The focus of these cleats is stability and comfort which can be important for toddlers who are only just finding their feet on the soccer field.
Injuries can have a more lasting impact on younger players as their bodies are still forming, making any extra protection a welcome addition to any pair of soccer cleats.
This protection comes in the form of an ankle-supporting collar and specially configured studs that are designed to improve the stability of a player’s feet.
The inside of the cleats is also some of the comfiest on the market, with them being ideal for toddlers that need orthotic insoles inside their shoes.
Pros
- Price
- Comfort
- Stability
Cons
- Color
3. Adidas Speedportal+
We have had some great budget and mid-range cleats on our list so far, but what about models for those that want to really invest in their toddlers’ game? Step forward with the Adidas Speedportal+ cleats.
As far as soccer cleats for children go, they are the pinnacle in terms of price with them being available for more than $125 in most places.
Like most of Adidas’ best cleats, the Speedportal+’ do not feature shoelaces which makes them another great option for toddlers that struggle with their shoelaces.
It also optimizes them for speed, something that is integral to the marketing of these cleats. If you have already noticed a talent for running fast in your child, then it may be best to help them use this to their advantage which is what these cleats can do.
The Speedportal+’ fit better than most adult cleats do, let alone those for children and this means that they feel natural to wear and most importantly lightweight.
If you are conscious about your family’s impact on the environment when it comes to buying items from brands connected to ‘fast fashion’, you can rest somewhat easier in the knowledge that at least 50% of the material these cleats are made out of have been recycled during the production process.
Pros
- Sustainability
- Lightweight
- Comfort
- No Laces
Cons
- Price
4. Puma Future Z 4.4
Another great choice for those on a budget is the Puma Match 4.4 cleats, another model that retails for less than $40 and is stacked with amazing features considering the price.
These cleats are designed to be worn by all-rounders who either want to improve their overall game or simply get started on their soccer journey.
What makes these cleats so great is their versatility; most modern cleats are branded as pairs to be used on special occasions, yet the Match 4.4’s are suitable for both firm and artificial ground fields.
Comfort is also a priority for this model, as a high-backed heel helps to provide a good level of support to this part of your toddler’s feet.
The insole isn’t quite as comfortable as some of the other cleats on this list though, so it may be worth investing in some better insoles if this becomes an issue for your child.
Pros
- Price
- Support
- Versatile
Cons
- Comfort
- Basic
5. Nike Streetgato IT
As I’m sure you’re aware by now, there are many different types of surfaces that soccer can be played on, ranging from grass all the way to indoor courts. This is a cleat for the latter and is a great choice for a child that isn’t quite ready to make the step toward outdoor action just yet.
American brand Nike produces some of the most famous soccer cleat models in the world and whilst their ‘Streetgato’ model may not be so well known, they are equally as good as their other cleats.
From a style perspective, these cleats are the perfect blend between soccer cleats and regular trainers, meaning that your child can play soccer in them and then carry on with the rest of their day without changing shoes.
In terms of features, the cleats themselves are much like any other trainers, this obviously means that many of the comfort and safety features are not present. For this reason, these cleats are far better suited to casual kick-about with friends rather than a youth soccer match for example.
They are also the perfect present for a child that is already obsessed with soccer and will kick a ball wherever they go.
The price of these cleats is slightly higher than some on this list, but given their versatility, I think they are a good deal for around $60.
Pros
- Price
- Versatility
- Stylish
Cons
- Not Suitable for Outdoor Matches
6. Nike Jr. Mercurial Superfly 9 Club
Sticking with cleats for the less traditional soccer field, we have the Nike Jr. Mercurial Superfly 9 Club cleats up next on our list.
These are a kind of cleats that have been produced for use exclusively on astroturf soccer fields, making them as practical as they are ugly unfortunately.
If the style isn’t a concern for you (it shouldn’t be for most toddlers) then you can probably look past the pale orange soles that are there to provide as much grip as possible.
Like many premium cleats, they aren’t cheap though. A pair of Mercurial Superfly 9 Club will set you back around $60 which isn’t the most expensive on our list, however, is still quite a lot for a pair of cleats your toddler will soon grow out of. This is something to consider when buying any kind of cleats for small children.
The rest of the features on these cleats are pretty standard for Nike models these days. An ankle supportive collar, standard heel padding, and comfortable insoles are all included as standard.
Pros
- Comfort
- Support
Cons
- Price
- Style
7. Puma Monarch II
The final pair of cleats on our list is arguably the best when it comes to buying them on a budget, which I believe is a great thing to do for toddlers that don’t really understand the value of things yet.
The Puma Monarch brand is notable for being Puma’s flagship beginner model for both adults and children, with their child-sized cleats being available for as little as $20 in some places.
These cleats have a classic design that is easy to clean after a particularly muddy matchday, as well as molded studs that can also be cleaned with ease.
The features of the Puma Monarch II are very basic, however, this may be all your toddler needs to begin with. This being said, there is ample padding to the heel and insoles as well as a durable leather outsole that can withstand all conditions.
They are simple and effective in my opinion.
Pros
- Price
- Simplicity
- East to Clean
Cons
- Basic
Now that you know what the best soccer cleats for toddlers are, will you be going out to get some for your child as they start their journey towards being the next Christian Pulisic or Tyler Adams? We certainly hope you will!
