With Football season around the corner, now is the time to start looking for the best running back cleats for the 2020/21 season. With the past few months being disrupted due to the Coronavirus, players will want to start camps and the season competing at a high level. One way to make sure of this is to have the best equipment around. It’s crucial to minimize the factors that are hampering you when you finally get to the field.
Running back is a very unique position in the fact that you have so many jobs to do when on the field. You obviously have to be able to run the ball (it’s kinda in the name of the position), also, depending on the scheme of the team you play in you may have to catch the ball a lot, and you also need to be able to block. Running backs also differ from each other. One running back may be elusive and juke you out of your shoes, others may be power backs that salivate at the opportunity of running through you like a freight train going through a wooden shed. Then there are running backs who are almost wide receiver like who catch a lot of balls out the backfield and downfield. Usually, the greats are the ones that can do a little bit of each.
All the different jobs and attributes that running backs require mean that it’s imperative to have the right cleat to fit your style of play. A fast, elusive running back may want a lighter cleat that makes it easier to bounce the play outside and out-run the defense, all the while being durable enough to withstand all the juking. A power-back may want a strong, supportive cleat that’s going to offer protection when crashing into the line of scrimmage. Others may desire a cleat that’s a mixture of both.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best football cleats for the 2020-2021 season for running backs. Firstly looking at cleats for all-around backs.
Best Football Cleats for Running Backs
Nike Alpha Menace Elite 2 Cleats
These cleats are a very appealing for the all-around running back. This Nike cleat is a common wear by arguably the best running back in the NFL, Saquon Barkley. Surely if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for you! These cleats are designed for backs like Barkley, who are extremely powerful, exert a lot of force into the ground when cutting and juking, and also aren’t scared to run into contact at the line of scrimmage. This is quite frankly a great all-around cleat for agile and powerful running backs. There’s a lot of stability and support in this cleat, especially in the ankle area. The built-in sock wrap comes up high, while the strap across the top of the cleat really locks the ankle and foot in. The shoelaces are also hidden so there’s less chance of tripping or being “tackled by the shoestring”. The inside of these cleats comes equipped with Nike grip too. This grip inside is utilized with Nike grip socks, which offers further traction inside the shoe, guaranteeing less slippage and allowing you to focus on speed and changing direction without any worries. The FlyKnit outer creates a lighter, flexible cleat, while the yarn that’s used for this FlyKnit exterior still offers durability.
Adidas Adizero 8.0 SK Football Cleat
This is the chosen cleat of another top Running back in the NFL, Alvin Kamara. This shoe allows you to do it all! This is an all-round great cleat, for all-round great players. Like Kamara, this cleat is all about speed, agility, and toughness. These cleats fit fantastically and are snug around the foot leading to no slippage. One of the great things about this popular cleat is the different colorways that they come in, which allows you to match them to the color of the team that you play for or allows you to really stand out on the field. They’re exceptionally light, as you would imagine for a cleat built for speed and agility and they have fantastic traction, you can feel the studs digging into the ground as you’re effortlessly skipping through holes in the defense. These are tremendously comfortable cleats that are both extremely pleasant to the eye and to wear. You’ll be sure to make defenders look like they haven’t practice tackling in months while wearing these.
Under Armour Highlight Mc Football Cleat
These cleats are an eye-catcher for sure. They look somewhat different from most other running back cleats and are the very definition of high top cleats, as they come up above the ankle for extra ankle stability and support. You often see a lot of power backs wearing these on the field, making sure that their feet are strapped in tight for plowing into defenders like they’re a bowling ball heading into bowling pins. These cleats can give power backs the ease of mind when it comes to cutting in and out of congested areas of the field. From the size of the cleat, you would think it’s exceedingly rigid and uncomfortable cleat to wear, but this is far from the truth. The footbed of this cleat contains foam, which molds to the shape of your foot for extra comfort while also reducing slippage within the cleat. You would think that this is a heavy cleat from all the material used for support and stability, but it’s actually still very light and breathable. The foot-plate on the bottom of the shoe comes with an array of round studs, this allows powerful players to really dig into the dirt and gain traction. This is important when it comes to putting your foot in the ground and cutting through a hole. Due to being somewhat lightweight, these cleats aren’t only for power running backs but can also be used by all-round backs and speed backs that are looking for some added stability and support.
Jordan 1 TD Mid
There’s nothing better than some of the most iconic sneakers ever made being turned into football cleats. These will definitely catch people’s attention, and the great thing is, they aren’t all that expensive. Many NFL players have made the jump to the Jordan brand in recent years when it comes to their cleat choice, and it’s easy to see why. Most notably, Jordan Howard, one of the most productive young running backs in the NFL who wears these on a weekly basis. Just like the sneaker version, these cleats come in both a low and mid version, so you have a choice to decide on the fit and style that you prefer. The plate on these Jordan 1 TD cleats is one of Nike’s older cleat plates that work great on a lot of different surfaces, making it nice and versatile. All of us with wide feet know that achy feeling you get in your arches if you’re wearing a cleat too narrow for you. You won’t have this problem with the Jordan 1 TD as they’re nice and wide in the arch area of the shoe, which may be a lot more comfortable for you than a lot of the sleek, narrow cleats that are on the market today. The midsole of the shoe also includes Nike Lunarlon, which further increases cushioning and comfort for your feet within the shoe. This added cushioning can sometimes cause players to feel that these cleats are a little bit bulky if they’re more suited to a speed cleat. Overall, these are really comfortable cleats that fit great around the foot. They’re cushioned, and the mid version of the cleat offers fantastic ankle support and protection. These will look and feel great as you’re smashing through into the end zone or leaving defenders in the dust.
Under Armour Spotlight Lux MC Football Cleats
The Under Armour Spotlight Lux MC is an eye-catching cleat. With the first sight, you know that these are the type of cleat you’d look great steaming past, someone, in. The main part of the shoe is a mix of knit and TPU, which combine to make a light but durable cleat. As a powerful and fast running back, you need to know that when you juke a defender out of their shoes, that your cleats are going to hold up and withstand the force that you’re putting through them, the Under Armour spotlights will do just that! These cleats are made durable enough for running backs that want to change direction fast or out-run the defenders around the edge. Often with cleats that look as comfy and light as slippers, problems arise with arch ache as they often come up narrow in the middle of the cleat plate. The foam insoles that come integrated into the cleat allow the UA Spotlight to feel as comfy as trainers, with the complete effectiveness of cleats.
Top 5 Speed Running Back Cleats
All the cleats listed above are fantastic for any type of running back, but the forthcoming list is compiled of cleats that are more for those elusive, speed running backs that are just wanting a light, fast cleat to be able to burn defenders around the edge, break free for long touchdowns and just basically leave defenders in the dust.
Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360
These cleats look like something Marty McFly must have brought back from the future (hopefully you’ve seen ‘Back to the Future’ before). These are the newest and best in line for Nike’s speed football cleats. The use of FlyKnit on the exterior really wraps to the foot and helps to clamp it in the shoe and hold it correctly, making it easier for you to cut and change direction. Not only does it help to hold your foot correctly, but it also makes the cleat extremely comfortable, breathable, and flexible. The cleat also features ghost lacing, which gives it a futuristic look as well as allowing no laces to be exposed, which could be the difference between a touchdown and a defender getting ahold of you. Just by taking a gander at these cleats, you can tell that they’re built for speed. They’re aggressive, light, and their overall look and low profile give off the feel of a track and field spike or soccer cleat. The cleat plate on the new Nike Vapor has been redesigned with new studs to help thrust forces in every direction you wish to go. The plate at the front of the cleat has two studs at the edge for extra stability and help when changing direction. This cleat plate is different from other Nike cleat plates, as they have separated the front and back cleat plate to reduce the weight of the cleat and focus on additional traction in the backplate. This helps with stopping and changing direction. This has similarities to many of the top Nike soccer cleat plates on the market. You’ll be sure to blow past defenders wearing this cleat. There are three different versions of these cleats, the Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 (which we’ve just discussed), the Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360, and the Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360. These cleats all differ in attributes, features, and in pricing, but all are great options, with the Nike Vapor Edge Elite being the premium choice.
Under Armour Clone Blur MC
When I look at these cleats I get somewhat of an old school feel from them, but this old school look is mixed with the modern performance characteristics and features of today. These cleats are all about speed, hence the name blur. They’re exceedingly light, and the upper part of the cleat is as flexible as a gymnast. The shoe is also breathable, and molds to the exact shape of your foot for comfort. It almost feels like you’re wearing sprint spikes the way that the shoe molds to your foot. The cleats have a flexible collar at the top to really hold your foot in place and to offer extra protection around the ankle area. Moving down to the bottom of the cleat, this is where this shoe, I think, is most impressive. The insole comes equipped with SuperFoam, allowing for additional comfort and shock absorption when landing on each stride. This will be a game-changer for those days that you’re playing on harder field surfaces. The cleat plate on the Clone Blur is unique and different from many other brands on the market. This cleat plate boasts both round studs and blades, which allows for better traction when it comes to stopping on a dime and shaking defenders out during jukes. The cleat plate also offers secondary cleats in the area of the ball of the foot, which helps with dynamic changes of direction and rapid acceleration. If you’re looking for a cleat to assist with speed and agility, this a fantastic option to go for!
Nike Vapor Untouchable 3
One of the most well known cleats when it comes to speed, the Nike Vapor Untouchable 3 is a popular cleat amongst athletes in both college and the NFL. It can be argued that this cleat is the best speed cleat ever made by Nike. This is a cleat that is often worn by Cowboys superstar running back Ezekiel Elliot, who has a great combination of speed and power. This cleat is not only a snug fit around the feet but due to its mesh extremity, it’s exceptionally light and durable. The plate at the bottom of these cleats possesses a vast array of different shaped studs. The assortment of studs range from triangles to diamonds, which helps running backs to keep traction when accelerating off the line, skipping through the line of scrimmage, or shaking defenders out their inferior cleats when juking. These cleats also feature a sock liner at the top of the shoe. This assists with holding the foot firm within the shoe while the featured heel plate offers further protection to the part of the foot that’s susceptible to being hit or landed on. Not only do these cleats perform great, but they also look the part. They come in a multitude of colors so they can be matched to your team’s uniform. The Nike Vapor Untouchable 3 range also boasts the Nike Vapor Untouchable Elite 3 Cleat. This cleat boasts a few different features to the Vapor Untouchable Pro. The Untouchable Elite cleat may be more appealing to a running back who prefers further stability around the ankle due to the mid-top finish, while still possessing the attributes of a light, durable, speed cleat.
Adidas Adizero PrimeKnit
These are one of the best looking cleats going. Just from first glance, you can tell the PrimeKnit on the outside makes them a nice snug cleat that could be mistaken for a pair of slippers. This isn’t just for show either, the cleat is an extremely light and comfortable cleat to wear! This cleat is built for speed; the sprint plate on the bottom of the shoe is lightweight and allows for usage on a multitude of different playing surfaces, making this a durable and functional cleat. In the forefoot of the cleat plate, there are four smaller cleats that aid in faster direction change, making it easier for you to skip through holes in the line of scrimmage and juke out multiple defenders. When gazing at this lightweight, slipper-looking cleat, you might think that it offers no protection, but this isn’t the case. It’s actually unexpectedly durable and very well made. The rear of the cleat provides extra padding to help protect the Achilles and promote further comfort in an area that can often be uncomfortable. The cleat also features a tight-knit collar around the ankle, which holds firmly to avoid any foot slippages. This is an impressive speed cleat that’s not only comfortable but will allow you to run past defenders like they’re standing still!
What type of cleats should running backs wear?
Running backs need a pair of cleats that are both light and durable. Some running backs, who are more elusive and whose game relies on speed would probably prefer a light, less bulky cleat. On the other hand, an all-around and power back might prefer a cleat with more support around the ankle for protection when running between the tackles at the line of scrimmage. What type of preferred cleat often comes down to personal preference.
Are high top cleats better?
Not necessarily. Some players just prefer having some added protection and support around the ankle. Extra support can sometimes add a little more weight to the cleat, so it comes down to what each person prefers and whether they like the feeling of having their ankles strapped in as well as their feet
Conclusion
Whether an elusive running back skipping through defenses like a pebble on top of the water or power backs running into players like a juggernaut going into a wooden crate, running backs need cleats that are supportive, protective, and durable. These cleats need to be comfortable and light enough that they aren’t unpleasant to run in, and they also need to be able to create enough traction so that running backs can stop and change in any direction that they so desire.
The selection of cleats above hit on all the desired attributes of a great running back cleat, whether you’re an all-round back that wants extra support or if you want an all-out speed cleat. Have fun out there carving up some defenses and leaving defenders grasping at air.
