Our top choices for the best leather soccer cleats:
- Modern design: Mizuno Morelia Neo IV Beta — the best-performing leather cleat this year. It is super lightweight, comfortable, and fast, with a modern fit admired even by elite strikers.
- Classic design: Adidas Copa Mundial — a timeless soccer cleat loved by both amateur and elite players. The Copa is super comfortable and supportive, with all-conical studs for stability and better performance on the ground.
Soccer players opt for leather cleats due to their superior fit, comfort, durability, and protection. While they come at a higher cost, they are a worthwhile investment for any soccer player. If you are new to soccer, leather cleats are among the top choices available to you.
The modern soccer cleat’s leather material is breathable, promoting airflow to keep your feet cool and dry. It’s simple to clean, retains the authentic smell of genuine leather, and offers eco-friendly benefits while enhancing impact protection for the feet.
However, in wet conditions, leather may not be the ideal choice as it tends to become heavier than synthetic material when soaked, despite its more elegant appearance.
Kangaroo Leather Material
Kangaroo leather, being the strongest and lightest material for leather cleats, is also thin, protective, and durable enough to outlast the shoe itself. If you are comfortable with leather footwear, then K-leather should suit you well.
Modern vs Classic Design
Opt for contemporary leather cleats for a sleeker upper, bringing your foot closer to the ball. In contrast, Classic leather cleats feature a thicker upper for increased impact resistance. Choose the modern style for a lighter leather cleat.
What are the best leather cleats?
Top-quality leather cleats excel in various soccer player positions. The leather integrates seamlessly with innovative technology, ensuring enduring comfort, support, and performance during gameplay.
The Best Mizuno Kangaroo Leather Soccer Cleats
Here’s a list of the best Mizuno kangaroo leather soccer cleats (in no particular order):
Mizuno Morelia Neo IV Beta
Most effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, Defensive Midfielder, and Central Midfielder.
The Mizuno Morelia Neo IV Beta is an all-time favorite because of its consistent design since the first Morelia Neo model. You can never go wrong with this leather cleat. And if you choose the MIJ model, you’ll have a handmade shoe.
The Morelia Neo IV Beta is arguably the best option for forwards or strikers looking for leather material. But there are also professional goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders using it consistently.
This leather cleat has an excellent fit with the best lightweight and skin-tight feel. It is only around 5 grams heavier than Nike Mercurial Vapor. And has conical studs that provide superb traction and pivoting ability.
Shop On AmazonMizuno Morelia II
The Mizuno Morelia II has been around for six years already. And like the Copa Mundial, this leather cleat also offers timeless performance. It has stood the test of time and may still be around for several years more.
This soccer cleat competes with the Copa and is an excellent choice if you want a modern feel in leather cleats. It also feels less bulky than the Copa because it has a skin-tight design.
And if you choose the model from Japan, you will get a hand-crafted version with the highest quality materials. This shoe has a classic-looking outsole with all-conical studs providing excellent traction and pivoting ability.
Shop On AmazonMizuno Alpha Elite
Most effective positions: Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, Defensive Midfielder, and Central Midfielder.
The Mizuno Alpha Elite is renowned for its exceptional quality and performance, making it one of the best leather cleats on the market. Crafted from premium K-leather, it offers a soft, comfortable fit that molds to the foot over time, ensuring optimal touch and control on the ball. The cleat features a lightweight design that enhances agility and speed without compromising stability. Additionally, its innovative outsole provides superior traction on various playing surfaces, allowing players to make quick turns and explosive movements with confidence.
Shop On AmazonThe Best Nike Leather Soccer Cleats
Here’s a list of the best Nike leather soccer cleats (in no particular order):
Nike Tiempo Legend 9
Most effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Center Forward.
The models of Tiempo Legend are the best Nike kangaroo leather cleats. And this latest model is the lightest Tiempo ever made. This soccer cleat comes with a refined upper featuring k-leather + soft foam pods, which offer a better lock-in and touch on the ball than its predecessor.
Nike Tiempo Legend 9 has a blade and conical studs, which offer more stability, superior turning ability, and quick release from the ground. It has an excellent fit and is most suitable for any field position.
Nike Premier 3
If you haven’t tried a leather cleat before, the Nike Premier 3 is an excellent starting point. This soccer cleat has the best value for money. It has a low price that other brands cannot beat. Although it has a full kangaroo leather upper, the quality is not as good as the premium leather of Diadora Brasil.
Not much has changed since the launch of the first Premier. There is a minimal color option, and you can hardly tell if this latest model is better than its predecessor. But it is more stylish than the previous models. And it continues to have round cleats that add stability and comfort underneath the foot.
Shop On NikeThe Best Adidas Leather Soccer Cleats
Here’s a list of the best Adidas leather soccer cleats (in no particular order):
Adidas PREDCOPX SUPERBOOT
This hybrid soccer cleat is not only a mixture of two excellent boots but three. Adidas PREDCOPX SUPERBOOT combines all the best technologies of the Predator Freak, Copa Sense, and X Ghosted. But will it replace the three models like Nike Phantom GT replaces the Phantom Venom and Vision? Right now, you will only see it for a limited time.
But Adidas PREDCOPX SUPERBOOT is one of the best leather cleats. It has rubber spikes on the upper, soft K-leather with FUSIONSKIN and PRIMEKNIT technologies and a CARBITEX lightweight soleplate.
Adidas has done a great job putting all the technologies together. It makes more sense to have a thinner leather upper on this one than in the Copa Sense. And if Adidas can make it lighter, it can be the perfect soccer cleat.
Adidas Copa 20.1
Most effective positions: Goalkeeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Left/Right Midfielder.
Many consider the models of Copa as the best Adidas kangaroo leather cleats. Although this model only has a subtle upgrade, it has a durability that can last longer on the soccer field.
The Adidas Copa 20.1 is very efficient, and many elite players depend on it. It has a soft K-leather upper that offers flexibility and a plush touch on the ball. It has a singular locked-in fit and an elegant skin-tight sensation. But it weighs 8.4 oz and may need an improvement in weight.
Shop On AmazonAdidas Copa Mundial
Most effective position: Goalkeeper
The Adidas Copa Mundial is arguably your best option if you love a classic look in soccer cleats. It has been around for decades, but it hasn’t changed much since Adidas first introduced it in 1979. And it still has a loyal following of elite players using it in defensive positions.
The Copa is one of the best Adidas K-leather cleats. It has a full leather upper, making it heavier than a modern leather cleat. It has a traditional lacing system and well-placed Adidas three stripes. And it has longer, round studs that offer a better grip on softer surfaces and more comfort underneath your foot.
Other Brands with the Best K Leather Soccer Cleats
Here are other brands with the best K-leather soccer cleats (in no particular order):
PUMA Ultra 1.2 Lazertouch
This leather cleat from PUMA is much better than the Ultra 1.1 Leather (and it is $50 cheaper, too). If you love the Ultra 1.2 because it is an all-rounder, you will love the leather touch of the Lazertouch.
PUMA Ultra 1.2 Lazertouch has a premium soft K-leather upper with Lazertouch to enhance your touch and control of the ball. It has a knitted slip-on construction, which improves the snug fit of the leather material. And an ultra-fast Pebax SpeedUnit soleplate for rapid acceleration on natural and artificial surfaces.
Diadora Brasil
This review won’t be complete without mentioning this handmade soccer cleat from Italy. Diadora Brasil has a premium kangaroo leather upper and maintains the classic looks of the 1990s Diadora boots with a subtle modern innovation. It has traditional round studs, which offer comfort and a better grip on softer surfaces.
Diadora Brasil offers a luxury feel and deserves to be at the top of your list of leather cleats. It is simply one of the best World Cup football boots that are still on the market today. Diadora made even the logo on this shoe from leather.
Umbro Speciali Pro
The Umbro Speciali Pro is another classic leather cleat that competes with Adidas Copa Mundial. It has a similar soft kangaroo leather upper with more stitching than the Copa. This added stitch helps prevent overstretching of the leather material as you play.
The Speciali Pro also has a comfortable footbed with a thick, spongy insole with raised sidewalls. This soccer cleat can fit wide feet and has all-conical studs that provide stability and help the foot function better.
Shop On AmazonFinal Thoughts
Leather cleats are an excellent option if you want the ultimate comfort in soccer cleats. They look elegant and offer superior comfort, better fit, and durability that can outlive the shoe itself. And if you have an extra budget for your new pair of soccer cleats, go for the leather material. They are the only shoes you need for any given match.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do leather cleats last?
A good leather cleat may last between 5 and 10 months, depending on how often you use it. Thicker leather material may last longer than thinner leather. If you use kangaroo leather, it may outlive the outsole. But when the fit becomes loose, its performance will also decrease.
Is synthetic better than leather?
Synthetic soccer cleats used to have a clear advantage over leather cleats in weight. But the modern leather material is now thinner and more lightweight. For example, the latest Morelia Neo Beta is just 5 grams heavier than the Mercurial Vapor 14. In terms of performance, some synthetic boots have an advantage over leather shoes because of their more aggressive designs on the outsole.
What cleats does Mbappe wear?
Kylian Mbappe wears Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Elite for season 2021-22. But he previously used the Superfly 8 Elite iD. Mbappe plays as a Forward for Paris Saint-Germain.
Why are leather football boots good?
Leather football boots can give you next-level comfort while protecting you from impact injury. The thicker the material, the more protection you get and the longer it will last on the soccer field. Kangaroo leather is the most durable material in leather cleats. It will provide a soft covering that molds to the foot over time.
Are leather football boots durable?
Yes, especially kangaroo leather because it is more durable than any leather type. Leather boots will also provide long-lasting comfort and protection from any impact.
You may also like: