Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories
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Joining a rec league, a pickup game or just kicking a ball around the park? You need three things: a ball, shin guards and cleats.
Shin guards aren't optional in real games, so grab a pair you'll actually keep on. Every pick here comes from FourFourTwo, the soccer magazine, whose reviewers test balls, pads and cleats in training sessions and matches. A cheap training ball is fine for kickabouts; only splurge on a match ball if you're playing serious games. For cleats, fit matters more than hype, so check the stud type for your surface and whether the pair runs narrow. Grip socks and a bag with a separate cleat pocket are nice extras once you're hooked. Each card shows the drawback FourFourTwo called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you just want to get fitter in general; the Fitness Starter list covers shoes, mats and weights for any workout.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 31, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 3 on your list · tap one to see your options
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Premier League 24/25 Academy Soccer Ball | budget | $25-50 | practice and kickabouts with friends | 1 outlet |
| Mitre 24 Delta Evo | mid | $50-100 | one ball for training and games on any surface | 1 outlet |
| Adidas UEFA Champions League Pro Soccer Ball | splurge | $150-200 | serious players who want a real match ball | 1 outlet |
Best soccer ballbudget pick · Pick by size
Best for practice and kickabouts with friends
FourFourTwo's best budget option: a dependable, cheap training ball that's ideal for regular use and casual kickabouts.
Heads up. Not the best for gameday, and better soccer balls are available
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best budget option soccer ball.
$25-50
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mid pick · Pick by size
Best for one ball for training and games on any surface
FourFourTwo's best for durability: the ball its reviewer used most showed absolutely no signs of wear, so it's the pick for general use on all surfaces.
Heads up. Not the best Mitre ball out there, and better match balls are available
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best for durability soccer ball.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Pick by size
Best for serious players who want a real match ball
FourFourTwo's best overall: a pro-level match ball with a thermally bonded, surface that flies true every time you pass or shoot.
Heads up. Cheaper soccer balls are available for non-professionals
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best overall soccer ball.
$150-200
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-Form Pro-S Blade CE Shin Guards | mid | $25-50 | players who hate bulky shin pads | 1 outlet |
| Nike Mercurial Flylite Superlock Football Shin Guards | budget | $15-25 | strapless pads that stay in place | 1 outlet |
| Mitre Aircell Pro Shin Pads | budget | $25-50 | beginners and younger players on a budget | 1 outlet |
Best shin guardsmid pick · S to XL
Best for players who hate bulky shin pads
FourFourTwo's best for comfort: a slim slip-on pad that stays soft and flexible until impact, when it hardens.
Heads up. Takes some time to get used to
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best for comfort shin pads.
$25-50
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budget pick · S to L
Best for strapless pads that stay in place
FourFourTwo's best lockdown: Superlock tech grips your sock fibres so the pads stay put without straps, with great protection and minimal bulk.
Heads up. The Superlock grip can be temperamental
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best lockdown shin pads.
$15-25
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budget pick · XS to XL
Best for beginners and younger players on a budget
FourFourTwo's best value: a reliable, cost-effective pad with a hard shell, a padded inside and Aircell vents to keep you cool.
Heads up. Not as protective against hard challenges
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best value shin pads.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas Predator League | budget | $50-100 | a first pair that works in any position | 1 outlet |
| Adidas Copa Gloro II | mid | $100-150 | classic leather comfort for long games | 1 outlet |
| Nike Phantom 6 Elite | splurge | $200-300 | wide feet that hate breaking in new cleats | 1 outlet |
Best soccer cleatsbudget pick · US 5.5 to 14
Best for a first pair that works in any position
FourFourTwo's best all rounder: a cleat that suits all ages and positions, with heavy texturing for extra grip when you dribble and shoot.
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best all rounder cleats.
$50-100
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mid pick · US 4 to 15
Best for classic leather comfort for long games
FourFourTwo's best for comfort: a soft leather upper molds to your foot, making it one of the most comfortable soccer cleats.
Heads up. Not much variety in colors
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best for comfort cleats.
$100-150
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splurge pick · US 6 to 12
Best for wide feet that hate breaking in new cleats
FourFourTwo's best for wide feet: a wide heel and new last give a snug, adaptive fit, with a GripKnit upper and little to no break-in time.
Heads up. Might be too grippy for some, and hard to clean
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best for wide feet.
$200-300
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Best soccer socksmid pick · S to XL
Best for feeling locked into your cleats
FourFourTwo's best grip socks: grip pads inside and out stop your foot sliding around in your cleat.
Heads up. Expensive compared with other options
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best grip socks.
$25-50
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budget pick · S/M or L/XL
Best for wearing grip socks under team colors
FourFourTwo's best design: footless soccer socks, so you can wear grip socks underneath without cutting up your team socks.
Heads up. Branded
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best design soccer accessory.
$15-25
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Best soccer bagmid pick · 37 L
Best for keeping muddy cleats away from everything else
FourFourTwo's best bag: a separate bottom compartment keeps muddy cleats away from your clothes, and its reviewer's has lasted three years.
Heads up. Quite expensive up front
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best bag.
$50-100
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mid pick · One size
Best for hauling a ball, cleats and training gear
FourFourTwo's best for storage: velcro dividers let you set up compartments for cleats, a ball and training gear.
Heads up. Expensive
1 outlet. FourFourTwo best for storage bag.
$50-100
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A ball, shin guards and cleats are the essentials. Grip socks and a soccer bag with a separate cleat compartment are nice to have once you're playing every week.
FourFourTwo says the top of the shin guard should sit roughly a couple of inches below the knee and the bottom just above the ankle bend. Try them on with your socks: tight enough that they don't move, but not so tight they cut off circulation.
FourFourTwo recommends an Artificial Ground (AG) soleplate if you play only on artificial turf, Firm Ground (FG) on dry grass and Soft Ground (SG) when it's wet or slippery. Check the stud type on the listing before you buy.