Cleats are the only piece of kit that connects you to the pitch, and the only one European rulebooks measure in millimetres. Before comparing models, settle three questions: moulded or detachable, how high a cut, and which playing surface. This guide uses federation rulebooks and manufacturer specifications only.
Contents · 8 parts
The 2-minute summary
- Moulded or detachable: moulded studs are part of the outsole; detachable studs unscrew so you can match the field, the weather or your position.
- Check the rulebook first: the 2026 German rulebook lists detachable studs as illegal equipment, while the international IFAF text only caps their length.
- Maximum length: half an inch from the base of the shoe under IFAF, 13 mm under the German federation.
- Cut height: high for linemen, mid for all-round positions, low for receivers and defensive backs, according to Under Armour.
- Surface: moulded on natural grass, turf shoes with small nubs on artificial pitches, detachable if you switch between the two.
- European prices: €139 to €276.69 across the seven models recorded in our catalogue between 27 September and 25 October 2026.
Play the video: Football Cleats: Moulded or Detachable, Cut and Fit
Moulded or detachable: the first decision
This is the one choice that genuinely changes the shoe. On moulded cleats, the studs are an integral part of the outsole. Under Armour describes them as "easy to maintain and built for consistent traction": nothing to unscrew, nothing to lose, but nothing to adjust either.
On detachable cleats, every stud screws out and can be replaced. You can, Under Armour writes, "change the studs to match the field, weather, or way you play". The brand points them first at linemen and at natural grass. The trade-off is upkeep: remove each stud, clean it individually, and clean the screw holes too.
In our catalogue the molded cleats dominate and a single model sits under detachable cleats. Very few detachable models are sold in euros, and the rulebooks have something to do with it.
What European rulebooks actually say
This is the point most buying guides skip, and it can cost you a game.
The 2026 edition of the IFAF Football Rules and Interpretations lists under illegal equipment (Rule 1-4-7-d) "cleats that extend more than ½ inch from the base of the shoe" — half an inch being 12.7 mm. The rule says nothing about detachable studs as such.
The 2026 German rulebook, published by the AFSVD for AFVD competitions, goes further. Its Article 1.4.7 lists two separate items as illegal:
- detachable shoe studs (paragraph d);
- non-detachable studs longer than 13 mm, measured from the tip of the stud to the sole (paragraph e).
A pair that is perfectly legal under the international text can therefore be turned away in Germany for the sole reason that its studs unscrew. Both documents are official and they diverge: before buying detachable cleats, check your own federation's rulebook and, if in doubt, ask your officials. For a European player starting out, a compliant moulded pair avoids the argument altogether.
Worth noting: shoes do not appear in the IFAF list of mandatory equipment (Rule 1-4-3), which covers helmet, hip pads, jersey, knee pads, mouthpiece, pants, shoulder pads, socks and thigh guards. Rule 1-4-4 even makes allowance for "barefoot kickers". The genuinely compulsory items are elsewhere: football helmets, football shoulder pads and mouthguards.
Flag football follows its own rulebook: see our guide to flag football cleats.
Cut height by position
Under Armour describes three cut heights. High-cut is aimed at linemen, for "a locked-in feel and a strong base at the line". Mid-cut gives "a balanced feel that works well for positions needing both control and quick movement". Low-cut is built for "a lighter feel and fast footwork".
| Position | Cut | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Mid | Moulded or detachable |
| Running back | Low or mid | Moulded |
| Wide receiver | Low | Moulded |
| Tight end | Mid | Moulded or detachable |
| Offensive line | High | Detachable preferred |
| Defensive line | High or mid | Detachable preferred |
| Linebacker | Mid | Moulded or detachable |
| Defensive back | Low (safeties: low or mid) | Moulded |
| Kicker / punter | Low | Moulded |
Nike describes the same logic in different words: its high-top models hold the ankle with a hook-and-loop strap, while a receiver's low cut uses a retention band that lets the foot flex naturally.
Two caveats. This chart is a manufacturer's recommendation, not a rule. And since the German rulebook bans detachable studs, the "detachable preferred" advice for the lines is unusable there: you need a high cut on a moulded outsole instead, such as the Nike Force Savage Pro 2 or the adidas Adizero Chaos II.
Playing surface
On natural grass, Under Armour points to moulded cleats with plastic studs that "dig into the soil for better traction". On artificial turf, it recommends turf-specific shoes with "small nubs or treads" rather than traditional spikes, to grip without damaging the surface. If you alternate, it points back to detachable cleats for the "added layer of versatility".
Across Europe, plenty of clubs train on artificial turf and play on grass. If you are buying one pair only, start from the surface you spend most hours on: the training pitch.
Sizing and fit
Under Armour's published guidance is straightforward:
- cleats generally match your normal shoe size;
- if you fall between sizes, size up;
- the fit should be "snug, but not tight, with a sock-like fit";
- leave about a thumb's width of room in front of your longest toe;
- avoid excess room, because "a secure fit helps your foot stay connected to the cleat when you cut, accelerate, and change direction".
Nike adds a note for wide feet: its signature perforated toe box is roomier. Finally, watch the sizing scales. For the Force Savage Pro 2 alone, one retailer lists EU 44 to 48.5, another UK 9 to 15, a third US 7 to 18. Use the retailer's own conversion table.
Our guide on how football cleats should fit covers the measuring method and the Nike and Under Armour charts in full.
What is available in Europe, and at what price
Ten models of football cleats are listed in our catalogue, with prices recorded at European retailers between 27 September and 8 November 2026. We have not tested any of these pairs: everything comes from manufacturer pages and retailer listings.
| Model | Type | Lowest price recorded | What the manufacturer publishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle AstroFly Cleats | Moulded | €125.95 (out of stock) | Speedskin second-skin upper, dual-injection Propulsion Plate, V-shaped forefoot studs |
| Nike Force Savage Pro 2 | Moulded | €158.63 | Synthetic leather upper with moulded reinforcements, hook-and-loop ankle strap, foam midsole |
| adidas Adizero Chaos II | Moulded | €159.95 | Presented by adidas as the lightest lineman cleat in its range, REPETITOR technology, padded collar |
| Under Armour Spotlight Mid | Moulded | €184.95 | UA Clone upper, full-length Charged Cushioning, moulded TPU plate with diamond studs |
| Nike Vapor Edge 360 Untouchable | Moulded | €276.69 | 360° Flyknit upper with NikeSkin coating, Vapor Edge 360 plate, full-length internal plate |
| Nike Alpha Menace Pro 3 Mid | Moulded | €195.00 | Flexible X-Frame outsole, carbon-fibre plate reinforced at the heel and midfoot |
| Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 2 | Moulded | €185.90 | NikeSkin-coated upper, separate internal plate close to the foot |
| Nike Alpha Menace 5 Pro | Moulded | €168.95 | Wider base and updated Alpha traction plate with wider-spaced studs, built for the trenches |
| Nike Alpha Menace Strong | Moulded | €140.95 | New mixed sticky rubber Alpha plate in the forefoot and heel for extra traction |
| Under Armour Hammer Mid D | Detachable | €139.00 | No manufacturer page found; the "detachable" classification comes from the retailer |
None of these brands publishes the weight of its cleats, apart from adidas for one specific colourway of the Adizero Chaos II — so there is no way to compare these models on weight without making numbers up.
FAQ
Are detachable cleats banned in Europe?
Not everywhere. The 2026 German rulebook (Article 1.4.7-d) lists detachable studs as illegal equipment, while the 2026 IFAF rules only prohibit cleats extending more than half an inch from the base of the shoe. Check the rulebook your federation applies.
How long is a legal stud?
Half an inch, or 12.7 mm, measured from the base of the shoe under IFAF Rule 1-4-7-d. The German text sets 13 mm, measured from the tip of the stud to the sole, for non-detachable studs.
Can I play in football or rugby boots?
The rulebooks consulted do not define footwear by its original sport: they set a length limit and, in Germany, ban detachable studs. The cut heights and outsole plates described by manufacturers are nonetheless designed for American football footwork.
Do I need a pair for each surface?
That is what Under Armour's guidance implies, since it separates plastic studs on natural grass from turf shoes on artificial pitches. If you buy only one pair, pick the surface you train on most often.
Sources
- IFAF, Football Rules and Interpretations 2026 Edition (Rules 1-4-3, 1-4-4 and 1-4-7), accessed 02/10/2026: https://amerikanskeidretter.no/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IFAF-Football-Rules-and-Interpretations-2026-med-norske-tilpasninger.pdf
- AFSVD / AFVD, American Football Regeln & Interpretationen 2026 (Article 1.4.7), accessed 02/10/2026: https://afsvd.de/content/files/2025/12/Football_Regelbuch_2026-1.pdf
- Under Armour, How To Buy The Best Football Cleats, accessed 02/10/2026: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/t/playbooks/football/best-football-cleats/
- Under Armour, The Right Football Cleats for Every Position on the Field, accessed 02/10/2026: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/t/playbooks/football/the-right-football-cleats-for-every-position-on-the-field/
- Nike, Les meilleures chaussures de football américain à crampons, accessed 02/10/2026: https://www.nike.com/fr/a/meilleures-chaussures-de-football-americain-a-crampons