Best Nike Soccer Cleats for Kids: Jr. Mercurial, Phantom​,​ and Tiempo

Every young soccer player deserves cleats that move with them. The right pair should feel comfortable enough that your child can focus fully on the game. Whether they play indoors or out, and whether they are a novice or years into play, the best Nike soccer cleats for kids offer support, stability, and grip. Here’s a kids soccer cleats buying guide to help you land on a shoe that levels up your child’s game and confidence.

• Nike Jr. Mercurial youth soccer cleats are built for speed and are ideal for young players who sprint and rely on explosive movement.
• Nike Jr. Phantom cleats are built for precision and are ideal for midfielders and forwards focused on ball control and passing.
• Nike Jr. Tiempo cleats are built for touch and comfort and are ideal for beginners and players who prioritize feel over speed.
• Match cleat type to your child’s level and playing surface and style.
• Prioritize the right fit.

To kick off your search, here’s a rundown of Nike’s lineup of kids’ soccer cleats. They accommodate different playing styles, whether your child focuses most on speed, precision, or touch and comfort.

Built for speed, Nike Jr. Mercurial cleats are designed for young players who rely on explosive acceleration and quick direction changes. They’re ideal for wingers and forwards.

Nike Jr. Mercurial Superfly: Nike’s fastest boot features a NikeLite plate with a traction pattern that allows for free movement and a soft NikeSkin upper for optimal comfort.

Nike Jr. Mercurial Vapor: Designed for quick cuts, this lightweight boot utilizes exclusive Nike technology that supports quick turns and smooth changes of direction.

Built for precision, Nike Jr. Phantom is designed for midfielders and forwards who prioritize ball control, passing accuracy, and striking. Consider these boots if your young player’s focus is on fast turns, accelerated moves, and precision. GripKnit uppers help with ball contact, agility plates support fast directional changes, and laceless options offer quick entry.

Built for touch and comfort, the Nike Jr. Tiempo is designed for beginners, defenders, and players who prioritize a soft, controlled feel of the ball. The FlyTouch synthetic leather uppers mold naturally to the foot, offering a glove-like fit and shorter break-in period.

Ready to give soccer shoe shopping a shot? Before your child tries on cleats, consider these factors.

Playing Style: Think about your child’s soccer position (Tiempo for defenders, Phantom for midfielders, and Mercurial or Phantom for forwards), and whether they prioritize speed (Mercurial), precision (Phantom), or touch and comfort (Tiempo).

Playing Surface: Determine which surface they play on most frequently. Here’s a rundown of the different types of surfaces with the features that cater to them.

• Firm Ground (FG): Designed for outdoor natural grass fields, featuring conical studs for stability and grip
• Turf (TF): Made for artificial grass or turf fields, with shorter rubber studs that provide traction to help maintain balance (without damaging the surface)
• Indoor Courts (IC): Flat, rubber soles designed for grip on indoor surfaces
• Multi-Ground (MG): Versatile cleats with stud patterns suitable for mixed surfaces, ideal for players who play on various pitches

Each cleat in the Nike Jr. line-up comes in different versions for these different surfaces.

Experience: Beginners benefit from softer uppers and cushioning, while more experienced players often prefer responsive plates in the soles to help boost speed and ball control.

Nike’s Jr. Tiempo line is the most beginner-friendly. Its FlyTouch synthetic leather upper is soft, molds to the foot, and requires no break-in time. This shoe is also versatile, with traction suitable for multiple surfaces. Nike’s Jr. Phantom is an alternative for players intent on more grip on the ball.

Fit should come first when it comes to enhancing enjoyment and play and reducing the risk of injury. Before heading to the store, have your child wear the socks they use for soccer. Then, seek out soccer cleats that fit snugly yet do not pinch. Make sure there’s about a thumb’s width of space between the big toe and the cleat’s tip and that the heel doesn’t slip. Although you might be tempted to size up to accommodate growth, choose shoes that fit properly now.