How To Buy Soccer Cleats
Soccer is a game that is primarily played with your feet. Therefore your most important piece of soccer equipment
is your footwear. A good pair of cleats, or boots as many people call them, is essential. There are variations of the
basic soccer cleat designed for different skill levels, weather conditions, and field types.
Types of Cleats
Footwear for soccer depends on a number of factors. The level of your game, the types of fields you play on, and how
much you want to spend are the major factors to finding what's right for you. Most leagues require you wear the proper
type of soccer cleat during play, so it is most important to understand which type you need.
Molded cleats
- Molded cleats are the basic soccer shoes
- They use non-removable rubber, or hard plastic formed on the bottom of the shoe to provide traction and
control
- If you play mostly on firm grass fields, you should purchase molded cleats
- Beginning and intermediate level players should purchase molded cleats because they are suited to play on almost
all fields types and in all weather conditions
- Many youth programs require players to buy molded cleats over detachable cleats for safety reasons.
 Detachable cleats
- These types of soccer boots feature studs on the bottom that can be screwed on and off and be replaced
easily
- The cleats vary in length and are usually made of hard plastic or plastic with metal tips
- Players can change the type and length of stud depending on the weather conditions of that day's game or
practice
- More experienced players may favor detachable cleats because these shoes can be tailored to their game and they
offer better performance in different conditions
- If you play on a lot of wet, soggy fields or on well-groomed, soft grass fields, consider wearing detachable
stud cleats
 Turf shoes
- These contain various raised patterns on the bottom in place of studs, for use on harder outdoor surfaces and on
artificial turf
- These are generally good training shoes that could serve as a back-up game pair for hard-surface conditions
Indoor shoes
- Indoor soccer shoes resemble low-cut, lightweight sneakers and are designed for playing indoor soccer in a gym
or recreational facility
- They feature a flat, rubbery-type bottom for better traction on indoor courts and fields
- Many indoor soccer facilities request that players wear indoor soccer shoes when playing on artificial turf, so
the turf does not get torn up
Sandals
- An important footwear add-on for all soccer players, these slip-ons are worn before the game to save wear on
your soccer shoes and allow you to immediately remove your playing shoes after a game to rest your feet
- Many sandals have special massage-type features for the bottom of the foot for added comfort
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Materials
Soccer shoes come in two basic materials: leather and synthetic. The pair you purchase will largely depend
on your skill level and how serious you are about the sport.
Leather
- Leather uppers offer the best feel and fit of any soccer shoe, but are also generally more expensive
-
Full-grain leather shoes are strong and durable, while variations such
as Kangaroo
leather are more flexible and offer an even better feel
- The softer the leather, the better the feel for the ball, but also the less durable the shoe
- Leather shoes also absorb more water than synthetic shoes. They are not recommended for constant use on wet
fields, however, water treatment options are available.
Synthetic
- Most entry and mid-level players should purchase soccer shoes made with synthetic materials
- Synthetic uppers are generally less expensive than leather shoes, but do not offer as good a feel and do not
last as long as a well-cared for leather boot
- Synthetic shoes generally contain some sort of water treatment and therefore last better under poor playing
conditions
- They are also easier to clean and dry out
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Determining Your Size
Fit tips
- Soccer shoes are sized like regular shoes, but most are designed with a more narrow upper than typical sneakers
to allow for better feel and control of the ball
- High-quality leather shoes will generally stretch a bit when worn. They will actually mold to the shape of your
foot, so they should fit snugly when new.
- Shoes that are too small are one of the major causes of foot pain and problems with athletic footwear. But
soccer cleats should naturally fit more snugly than other athletic shoes because of their design.
Determining your shoe size
- Determining your proper shoe size is essential to a comfortable fit
- Don't assume you shoe size is the same as it has always been. The shape of you feet changes over time.
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