Women’s Adidas F50 Elite Review
Today, we’re looking at the Women’s Adidas F50 Elite Mid-Cut Soccer Cleats. In this article, I’ll break down what I liked, the biggest issues, and how they compare to the men’s version.
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Upper: Thin, Fast, and... Uncomfortable?
Adidas completely changed the upper from the Crazyfast line, introducing an ultra-thin Fibertouch material with a Sprintweb texture around the forefoot.
The midfoot area is impressively thin, semi-translucent, and molds really well to the foot over time. Unfortunately, the forefoot and toe box seem to be built with extra layers that just don't break in the same way. This section stays stiff and uncomfortable, even after 15+ wears.
The upper also has a plasticky feel, especially when flexing the toes or striking through the ball, not ideal for a speed boot meant to feel agile and barefoot-like. Compared to the men’s and laceless versions of the F50, the women’s fit feels stiffer at the front and less textured, though the Sprintweb still provides pretty decent grip on the ball.
The Big Problem
Here’s where things get especially frustrating. For some reason, Adidas reinforced the inner ankle and midfoot area (where the upper meets the collar) with a hard, plastic-like material. You can really feel (and see) it inside the boot, and it feels nothing like the more flexible construction in the men’s elite or laceless F50s.
For someone like me, with a history of inner ankle injuries, this rigid section made the cleats somewhat painful to wear, especially when shooting. Even after a lengthy break-in period, it has remained noticeably stiff.
The Fix
Since I wasn’t ready to give up on these just yet, I tried a little experiment. I’ve had dancers and rehab patients who wear dancer pads to relieve pressure on the foot bones, so I cut one out and placed it inside the boot around the pressure point at the medial foot/ankle. It definitely helped relieve some discomfort, though I’m not sure how long that DIY fix will hold up long-term
Collar: Comfortable But Not Seamless
The collar on the women’s F50 Mid-Cut is soft and comfortable, but feels like an afterthought. The transition between the collar and the upper is not seamless, visually it looks a little cheap, especially compared to the smooth integration on the laceless model. The good news? It looks like Adidas may have addressed this issue in the newer releases.
Soleplate: A Highlight
One thing Adidas nailed is the Sprintframe 360 soleplate. It’s used across all the F50 models, and for good reason. It’s very stiff through the midfoot, with a touch of flexibility in the forefoot. The stud pattern is a hybrid of mostly conical, with two bladed studs at the front. It’s not overly aggressive, which made them feel great on FG as well as newer artificial grass (AG) surfaces.
Time will tell how durable they are on AG long-term, but for now, they feel secure and stable without any drag or pressure points.
Weight
The Women’s F50 Elite weighs 6.2 ounces in a Women’s size 9. This is only about .2 oz heavier than the laceless version in the same size.
Fit & Sizing
I went with my usual Adidas size: US Women’s 9 / Men’s 8. But here’s where it gets tricky:
Adidas only increases sizing by one full size for their women’s fit.
Nike, Puma, and most other brands typically go up 1.5 sizes, so my women’s sizing differs across brands.
Fit-wise, the women’s F50 is tighter through the midfoot and more narrow overall than the men’s version. The stiff upper makes it worse, as there’s very little stretch. That said, the forefoot has decent width, the toe volume feels balanced, and the heel lockdown is great, especially when paired with the collar and laces.
Performance
Dribbling & ball control: Solid in both wet and dry conditions.
Passing: Felt clean and accurate.
Shooting: This is where the stiff upper and ankle area really ruined the experience for me.
Durability: Feels excellent so far. If anything, the stiffness might help with long-term wear.
Weight: Light on foot, with both the mid-cut and laceless models feeling comparable in weight.
Final Thoughts
The Adidas F50 Elite Mid-Cut (Women’s Fit) was a bit hit and miss for me. While I love the soleplate, appreciate the secure lockdown, and enjoyed the lightweight feel, the upper construction is a letdown.
I probably won’t be reaching for these very often, but I’m hopeful Adidas refines the upper in future releases.
Have you tried the women’s F50s? What’s been your experience?