Our top choices for the best soccer cleats with ankle support:
- Synthetic: Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 — a very famous soccer cleat with a dynamic fit collar that provides compression around the ankle. Some sports medicine physicians say it has the perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption.
- Leather: Nike Tiempo Legend 10 — a comfortable and stable soccer cleat with more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats. Nike built it for comfort, support, and speed.
Individuals with weak ankles or a history of ankle injuries are at a higher risk of experiencing ankle sprains while playing soccer, a sport that involves high-impact movements requiring proper body alignment to prevent joint or muscle twists during sudden actions on the field.
A problematic walking and running style can lead to increased ankle mobility. Although certain soccer shoes offer ankle compression for added stability, cleats with enhanced rearfoot support are more effective at providing ankle stability. Nevertheless, no soccer cleat can completely prevent ankle sprains during soccer play.
What are the best soccer cleats with ankle support?
Soccer cleats offering ankle support typically feature rearfoot stability for securing the foot during various movements. Some may come with a high-top style for ankle compression and a secure fit. The upper material provides excellent stability and a locked-in feel in every direction.
A soccer cleat that features a top-notch heel counter and padding to remove any gaps can effectively stabilize the foot and reduce unnecessary lateral movement. Additionally, a cozy footbed equipped with anti-slip capabilities will absorb impact, offer support, and firmly hold the foot in place during rapid directional shifts.
Nike Soccer Cleats with Ankle Support
Here’s a list of Nike high-top soccer cleats, which are also agile and stable on lateral movements:
Nike Mercurial Superfly 9
Most effective positions: Center Forward, Striker, Winger, Attacking Midfielder, Left/Right Midfielder, Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, and Wingback.
The Mercurial Superfly 9 is Nike’s elite offering, and it is arguably the best Superfly ever made. This soccer cleat has a premium locked-in sensation with a Dynamic Fit collar and a mid-cut collar that provides compression around the ankle. It has interior heel cushioning for rearfoot stability. It now has a Zoom Air unit, which allows you to move faster in the air. And NikeGrip technology to minimize foot slippage.
Professional soccer players admire the Mercurial Superfly for its responsive upper and aggressive soleplate that can make your moves more quickly. Some sports medicine physicians recommend it for its perfect blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption.
Shop On NikeNike Phantom GX 2
Most effective positions: Center Forward, Second Striker, Attacking Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder, Center Back, Sweeper, and Goalkeeper.
The Nike Phantom GX 2 has the lineage of two excellent soccer cleats – the Phantom Venom and Vision. It has a slight advantage over the Mercurials on side-to-side movements because of its Nike Cyclone 360 traction that gives more stability for quick changes in the lateral direction. This control cleat has a well-padded Flyknit upper with Nike Gripknit that covers the striking area. The upper provides excellent support for quick cuts and agile maneuvers.
Shop On NikeNike Tiempo Legend 10
Most effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Center Forward, and Striker.
If there are low-top soccer cleats that must join this list, they have to be the models of the Tiempo Legend. Some sports medicine physicians say the Tiempo Legend has more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats.
The Nike Tiempo Legend 10 is the lightest Tiempo ever made. It has a refined upper (now FlyTouch Plus engineered leather) for better touch and control of the ball. And a redesigned outsole that boosts quicker cuts and sharper stops. This cleat is also a doctor-recommended soccer cleat for flat feet.
Shop On NikeAdidas High Top Soccer Cleats
Here’s a list of Adidas high-top soccer cleats, which are also agile and stable on side-to-side movements:
Adidas Nemeziz+
The Adidas Nemeziz+ is a laceless agility soccer cleat designed to give you power and support for multidirectional movements. It uses Tensiontape technology, which offers an adaptive fit and better touch on the ball, with a slightly raised collar to support the ankle. It also uses split plate tooling with conical-like studs to give the foot natural freedom and better performance.
Shop On AmazonAdidas Predator Edge.1
Most effective positions: Center Forward, Striker, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, Fullback, Wingback, Center Back, and Sweeper.
If you are a wide-footed player looking for a soccer cleat with a roomy toe box, the Adidas Predator Edge.1 is one of your best options. This lace-up model is a preferred shoe among elite soccer players over its outgoing model, the Freak+.
The Predator Edge.1 has more volume and generates more power when striking the ball than its predecessor. It has a new sticky ZONE SKIN for optimized ball manipulation and a premium PRIMEKNIT collar that offers breathability, easy entry, and a secure lockdown. Additionally, it has a FACET FRAME outsole, designed to deliver more stability, dynamic traction, and optimized power transfer when striking the ball.
Shop On AmazonAdidas Predator Freak.1
Most effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder, and Attacking Midfielder.
The Adidas Predator Freak.1 is your best option if you want more ankle support and a better locked-in fit through the midfoot. It feels more comfortable than its successor, the Edge.1, with a more refined touch on the ball. And it has a stable outsole with conical-like studs under the forefoot for better foot function.
Shop On AmazonOther Football Cleats with Ankle Support
Here’s a list of other famous football cleats with ankle support:
Puma Future 7 Ultimate
Most effective positions: Striker, Center Forward, Central Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder, Fullback, Wingback, and Goalkeeper
The Puma Future 7 Ultimate is a stunning soccer cleat with unique features admired by the fastest and most agile soccer players. It is one of the most comfortable soccer cleats with a well-structured upper, a more refined FUZIONFIT360 technology that adapts to the shape of your foot, which helps lock the foot down through every change of direction.
It has a raised collar that feels comfortable around the ankle. Additionally, the Dynamic Motion System asymmetric outsole offers superior traction and stability for multidirectional movements.
Shop On AmazonNew Balance Furon v7
Most effective positions: Center Forward, Striker, Winger, Goalkeeper, Fullback, Wingback, Center Back, and Sweeper
The New Balance Furon v7 may have the most comfortable support around the heel and ankle with a soft interior and padding that provides long-lasting comfort. It has plenty of technologies that care for the feet.
This speed cleat has a well-structured Hypoknit upper with Fit Weave technology, which provides a sock-like fit and superb stability. It has an infiniGRIP insert designed to reduce foot slippage and provide a stable ride. And a pro-level lightweight nylon plate with a ribbed midfoot for more stability through every change of direction.
New Balance Tekela v4
The New Balance Tekela v4 is a laceless soccer cleat that won’t give you an easy entry if you have wide feet. But it has an option for width. And once your foot is in, you will experience a super comfortable, soft, pliable, and supportive locked-in fit.
This latest model has improvements on its traction and fit, which will give the ankle better support. It offers multifunctional zonal support and stability underfoot. Additionally, the outsole offers a multi-directional stud configuration that will deliver superb traction and better foot function.
Shop On AmazonLotto Solista 100 IV
Most effective positions: Goalkeeper, Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, and Attacking Midfielder
Lotto Solista 100 IV is an excellent top-end laceless soccer cleat similar to the Mercurial Superfly but offered at a lower price. This speed cleat weighs like the Nike Superfly and has a soft, one-piece 3D knit upper that delivers a superb locked-in fit. Its high-top design also helps secure the foot.
The Solista 100 IV has high-quality materials. It has a soft interior and padding for long-lasting comfort. And well-placed EVO and conical studs for enhanced stability, acceleration, flexibility, and traction for multidirectional movements.
Mizuno Alpha Elite
Most effective positions: Center Back, Sweeper, Fullback, Wingback, Defensive Midfielder, and Central Midfielder
The Mizuno Alpha Elite is one of the most comfortable Mizuno soccer cleats. This shoe replaces the Rebula Cup. And it has the highest quality kangaroo leather upper that blends well with its stable and agile outsole. It even has perfectly placed oval and conical stabilizer studs providing more stability and better foot function.
Mizuno made the Alpha Elite for comfort and speed. The midfoot is high-grip synthetic leather, which wraps the foot in comfort, giving it a secure and protective locked-in fit. It has a soft and supportive heel pad with more padding toward the top of the collar. Additionally, it has a responsive outsole that naturally goes with the foot as it flexes.
Shop On AmazonA Better Solution to Prevent Ankle Sprains
The above soccer cleats will give you extra support around the ankle, but they won’t help strengthen the ankle. And if you depend on ankle support alone, you will always have weak ankles.
A much better solution is to focus more on strengthening your ankle, so you won’t limit yourself to wearing just a few soccer cleats. That said, here are helpful tips from experts to prevent ankle sprains:
- Watch for uneven surfaces on the soccer field.
- Complete your warm-up exercises before starting any game or practice.
- Apply weak ankle exercises.
- Be well-rested and don’t play if your foot hurts.
- Get rid of excess body weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which soccer cleats have the best support?
Some sports medicine physicians suggest the Nike Mercurial and Tiempo Legend soccer cleats because of their superb blend of comfort, flexibility, support, and shock absorption. The Tiempo, in particular, has more lateral and ankle support than most soccer cleats.
Are high top cleats better for your ankles?
Yes. High-top cleats provide compression and secure lockdown around the ankle to make it feel more stable. They also help prevent small pebbles from getting inside the shoe and create a feeling of oneness between the foot and the shoe.
What cleats does Mbappe wear?
Kylian Mbappe, the Striker/Center Forward of Paris Saint-Germain, wears Nike Mercurial Superfly VIII Elite Dream Speed 5 for the Season 2021-22.
What cleats does Neymar wear?
Neymar, the Winger of Paris Saint-Germain, wears PUMA FUTURE 1.3 for the Season 2021-22.
Are high-top or low top shoes better?
High-top shoes provide compression and secure lockdown around the ankle. They also look more elegant than low-top shoes and provide a smooth transition between the foot and the shoe. On the other hand, low-top shoes will offer complete freedom of movement around the ankle. And it is the default choice of most soccer players.
What are soccer cleats with socks called?
They are called high-cut soccer cleats with sock collars.
Why do football boots have ankle socks?
Football boots have ankle socks because (1) They provide compression, comfort, and a secure locked-in fit around the ankle. (2) They create a feeling that your foot is one with the shoe. (3) They prevent small pebbles from getting inside the shoe. (4) They look more elegant than boots with no ankle socks.
Do you wear socks with soccer cleats?
Yes. It is a part of compulsory equipment for a soccer player. You must also wear socks with soccer cleats to prevent blisters because some cleats don’t have a soft interior. Socks also allow you to fasten your shin guards to protect your vulnerable shin.
Why do soccer shoes have spikes?
The spikes in soccer shoes provide sure traction and stability for multidirectional movements on natural surfaces.
What are the spikes under cleats called?
The spikes under soccer cleats are called studs or cleats. They may be conical or blade-like in shape.
What are the best soccer cleats for ankle support?
The best soccer cleats for ankle support have rearfoot stability and upper materials that offer superb lockdown. A high-top design may be helpful because it delivers compression and secure lockdown around the ankle. The best examples of these soccer cleats are Nike Mercurial Superfly 9, New Balance Tekela v3+, and Lotto Solista 100 IV.
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