Everything to Know about Buying Kids’ Football Cleats

Do Kids Need Football Cleats?

The short answer is yes, kids need to have a pair of football cleats for maximum performance, traction, and comfort on the field.

One common question parents often ask is whether it's okay for kids to wear soccer cleats for football. While soccer cleats may look similar to football cleats, there are key differences in their design and functionality. While soccer cleats may be suitable to wear to practice, they do not provide the same level of traction and support needed for football games, which is why our Footwear Experts recommend wearing football cleats to ensure optimal performance and safety. Please note: Football cleats cannot be worn while playing soccer.

What Age Are Kids’ Football Cleats Recommended for?

Typically, youth football cleats are ideal for kids under 12 years old, but it depends on how big your player’s feet are.

• Related Expert Content | Kids’ Shoe Sizing Guide

What Type of Football Cleat is Best?

Nearly all youth football cleats feature molded studs on the outsole. These provide plenty of traction and stability.

You may notice that there are three different cuts of an upper available: low, mid, and high. The low-cut cleats offer greater ankle mobility, while high-cut cleats provide better ankle stability. However, in youth football where players may rotate through various positions, the specific cut of the cleat may not be as important as ensuring comfort and fit. Our Footwear Experts recommend finding a pair of football cleats that are comfortable for your athlete.

Get the Right Football Cleat Fit

• Feel: When your young player tries on their new pair of football cleats, remind them they should feel stiffer than their everyday shoes. Over time, they will break in their football cleats and enjoy greater comfort.

• Upper Material: If the upper material is synthetic leather, the cleats will stretch more with wear compared to a synthetic upper.

• Size: Depending on the brand—Under Armour, Nike, or adidas—the size may vary slightly from brand to brand. We recommend using the size chart on the product page for the most accurate fit for that brand. Expert Tip: Avoid ‘sizing up’ to accommodate their growing feet. If they’re wearing football cleats that are too big, it will impact their footwork and performance as well as lead to injuries.

• Try Them On: Have your player try their new football cleats on at the end of the day and with all the lower protective gear they will wear for practices and games (ankle braces, orthotics, heavy socks, and more).

Best Kids' Football Cleats

If you’re ready to find the best kids’ football cleats for your player, start with our featured list curated by our Footwear Experts.

Nike Vapor Shark 3 Molded Football Cleats

• Upper: Synthetic leather

• Soft foam underfoot for lightweight cushioning

• Nike Fasflex technology in outsole for soft, natural feel

Jordan 1 Low Molded Football Cleats

• Upper: Synthetic leather

• Wide stud placement for quick cuts

• Perforations on toe for breathability

adidas Adizero Electric.2 Molded Football Cleats

• Upper: Sprintskin

• Speedframe outsole for aggressive traction

• Anti-abrasion TPU forefoot overlay for durability

Finding the right pair of football cleats for your young player is important for their performance, comfort, and safety on the field. If you have additional questions about how to choose football cleats, stop into your local SCHEELS to speak with a Footwear Expert.