Cleat Tier Guide: What Parents Need to Know

The most popular soccer cleat brands offer each of their cleat models (silos) at multiple price points. To the naked eye the cleats look very similar, if not identical. The price depends on the tier. The tier denotes the quality of materials and technology used. The brands use naming conventions to denote which tier is lowest quality, mid quality, upper quality, and best quality. For example, one popular silo, the Nike Mercurial Vapor comes in Club, Academy, Pro, and Elite versions. So you have 1) Nike Mercurial Vapor Club (lowest quality), 2) Nike Mercurial Vapor Academy (mid quality), 3) Nike Mercurial Vapor Pro (upper quality), and 4) Nike Mercurial Vapor Elite (best quality). It's the same silo, with very different levels of quality! The big box stores are going to offer the lowest two tiers and shopping online without understanding this information is confusing. What tier level a child requires is up to the parent, and our Cleat Tier Guide is meant to be a reference point when making this decision. It should be noted that user experience varies, but many players report that the biggest jump in quality comes at the Pro level tier. The materials are noticeably better than lower tiers.

Nike Soccer Cleats — Four Tiers

• Club — The base model, lowest quality, heaviest, sold at big box stores, meant for new soccer players. $
• Academy — The mid level, an upgrade in quality but still heavier than higher tiers, meant for casual players, also sold at big box stores. $$
• Pro — Upper quality, better materials, lighter than previous tiers, you can tell the difference in quality at this level, meant for discerning competitive players. $$$
• Elite — The highest quality, best materials, lightest, designed for and worn by professional players, meant for serious players. $$$$

Adidas Soccer Cleats — Five Tiers

• Club — The base model, lowest quality, heaviest, sold at big box stores, meant for new soccer players. $
• League — The mid level, an upgrade in quality but still heavier than higher tiers, meant for casual players, also sold at big box stores. $$
• Pro — Upper quality, better materials, lighter than previous tiers, you can tell the difference in quality at this level, meant for discerning competitive players. $$$
• Elite — Higher quality, better materials, lighter than previous tiers, meant for serious soccer players. $$$$
• + — The highest quality, best materials, lightest, designed for and worn by professional players, meant for serious players. $$$$