How to Choose the Best Youth Soccer Cleats: A Parent’s Guide

Finding the right soccer cleats for young children can be challenging. This guide shares real-world testing and key rules to help parents select comfortable, well‑fitting boots for players aged 9 and under.

Key Rules for Buying Youth Soccer Cleats

Comfort Is Key

At the youth level, the biggest focus should be finding a boot that fits well and is comfortable. Forget about tech specs and flashy colors – none of that matters at this stage. The goal is to ensure the boots fit properly without any pressure points. Ask your child to walk around in them to check for areas of discomfort.

Tip: Loosening the laces all the way down to the bottom rung can help if your child experiences issues. If problems persist even with loose laces, the boots are not the right fit.

Ensure You Have the Right Size

To make the boots last longer than a few weeks, leave enough room for growth. Use your pinky finger as a guide to the maximum space at the front of the boot. Press down on the upper to check that there is no extra space between the toes and the boot’s front. Too much room makes the child feel clumsy and causes slipping; too little room leads to discomfort.

Figure Out the Right Balance

A boot that suits the child’s style of play helps development. Look for lightweight construction and protection in key areas rather than gimmicky add‑ons. While Nike and Adidas make great boots, many other brands offer better value for money.

Youth Soccer Cleats Tested

McKInley, Age 8, Size 13.5K

McKinley previously wore adidas Predator LZ boots (no longer available). She is a big Alex Morgan fan, so a pair of Nike Phantom Venom was a must. She also tested laceless Preds and the latest New Balance boots.

New Balance Tekela v2 Magique Junior

Performance wise, these turned out to be a real winner. McKinley wasn’t overly excited about the less flashy look, but she put them on easily and immediately dashed off to try them. Throughout play, she felt no discomfort and enjoyed the overall fit. The ability to open the laces and pull back the tongue made the first fitting very pleasant.

adidas Predator 19.3 Laceless

Visually a very exciting boot – no laces! But getting them on proved extremely difficult. The mid‑cut collar is very tight, and it took frustrating effort to pull them on. When finally on, the fit was too uncomfortable to wear. There was extra space lengthwise, but McKinley felt they were too tight overall. These are not a good option for youth players; too many variables make the fit uncertain.

Nike JNR Phantom Venom Academy

The best‑looking boot tested, but again tough to get on. Even with a regular ankle cut, the neoprene inner sock makes entry problematic. Children with very narrow feet may have fewer issues, but we struggled. Once on, the fit was nice with plenty of length to grow, but the ankle and midfoot were tight, requiring some adjustment and stretching. They were the second‑best option, and likely won’t be worn often without additional stretching.

Savannah, Age 6, Size 11.5K

Savannah had worn generic Nike boots in her first season. Testing these boots proved very successful.

adidas X 19.3 Laceless

The fan favorite. Although putting them on required a little work the first time, they were an absolute success. The collar and tongue area use a soft, stretchy fabric that makes entry easy while providing a secure fit without laces. Padding reduces impact stress. Savannah found them very comfortable with no pressure points, and she didn’t want to test other boots after wearing these.

Nike Junior Mercurial Vapor 13 Academy

Another solid boot thoroughly enjoyed on the pitch. Traditional lacing and a tongue make them easy to put on. The upper is a bit stiffer with a slightly squared toe box, which doesn’t hurt performance but makes them a respectful second place. No discomfort, but the pliability of the X19.3 edged ahead. These are a safe, suitable option for parents who simply want a boot that works.

adidas Nemeziz 19.3 Laceless

Review to follow in the coming weeks.

Austin, Age 4, Size 9K

Few choices are available in this size, but Austin was happy to test his favorite color – orange. He is new to soccer.

Joma Champion Junior FG

A fan favorite from the moment the box opened. Very easy to slip on thanks to a traditional lacing system. The size matches his running shoes well, and comfort was excellent. For kids this age, simplicity and enjoyment matter most. The low‑profile conical studs disperse pressure evenly. These are suitable only for grass surfaces. A very decent starter boot for the price.

What We Have Learned

Getting the fit right isn’t easy, but when you do, it makes a huge difference. Comfortable boots let children enjoy the game and build confidence. Laceless designs are novel, and while they worked well on one boot, they don’t allow you to dictate the fit – laces remain the key component for adjusting tightness around the foot.

We will continue to add more boots as they become available.

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