Finding the Right Soccer Cleats

Soccer can be an incredibly demanding sport,cleats, it can make a huge difference for some what
particularly on the feet. During a typical 90-minutetype of material is used.
professional game a player may cover betweenFull grain leather is the standard in soccer cleat
8,000 and 11,000 meters, or between five and sevenuppers. It provides good protection and durability, and
miles. Around two-thirds of this distance is spentwill likely last a longer time than kangaroo leather.
walking or jogging, while the other third is spentKangaroo leather is much thinner, giving less durability
sprinting, cruising, or backing. There is a greatto the shoe, but a greater feel for the ball. Kangaroo
diversity in the movement involved in playing soccer,leather is typically more expensive than full grain
not to mention the need to kick the ball. Thus,leather, and is found in higher end shoes.
soccer cleats play a huge role in the effectiveness ofSynthetic materials have gained popularity in soccer
the soccer player, and are the most important piececleats as well. Synthetics come in a variety of types
of equipment to the competitor.and thicknesses, and will generally not absorb any
While a high school or non-professional athlete maywater. This makes the shoe durable, but also makes
not run as much as the professional soccer player,the shoe hotter and less breathable.
the athletic demands placed on the feet are great.Cleat Type: The arrangement of studs and/or blades
Companies that make cleats therefore are requiredon the bottom of the soccer cleats can make a huge
to meet the needs of the youth athlete, usingdifference in the interface between the ground and
designs that were previously only available to elitethe shoe. Different types of cleats are used
athletes.depending on field conditions. There are turf shoes,
So what should you look for in a soccer cleat? Thehard ground, firm ground, and soft ground soccer
following is an attempt to introduce some of thecleats.
different aspects of selecting a soccer cleat.� Turf shoes have small rubber studs covering the
Control vs. Comfort: The ideas of comfort andentire sole of the shoe. These are best for
control can be thought of as being on opposite endssynthetics turf or other extremely hard surfaces.
of a balancing scale. On one side, the player requiresThese shoes are designed to be very grippy, but will
control, which is generally obtained with a stiffer, lessnot dig into the ground.
flexible shoe. On the other side, the more� Hard ground cleats have short rubber or plastic
comfortable shoe will be less flexible, and will offerstuds, and the studs are usually arranged in rows.
less support. It is thus a balancing act of finding theThese cleats are designed to be worn on hard,
right amount of control and comfort that is placed inunforgiving surfaces, and help provide grip on fields
the hands of the manufacturer.that are hard for a cleat to penetrate. The studs on
Fit: A soccer cleat should not allow the foot to movehard ground cleats tend to be shorter and firmer
too much during play. Excessive movement of thethan the studs on firm ground cleats.
foot within the shoe can lead to blisters and� Firm ground cleats are the most widely used
tendonitis, two problems that can easily sideline acleats. They are either made with short studs such
player. However, a shoe that fits too tight can leadas the ones seen in hard ground cleats, but are more
to pain and trauma to the feet during play. The fitcommonly made with blades instead. The blades are
should be snug, but not uncomfortably tight.short pieces of thermal plastic that have been
The soccer cleat itself has several components thatdesigned to dig into a firm, but somewhat forgiving
lend to the way it fits. The external last of a shoe issurface.
the form on which the shoe is constructed. There� Soft ground cleats have longer studs that are
are three general types of external lasts �usually detachable. They are designed for use on soft
straight, curved, and semi-curved. The external lastfields, such as a rain soaked field. They come in
plays a crucial role in the fit of the shoe. A persondifferent lengths, between 12-16mm, and can be
with a normal foot type or a flat foot type willadjusted based on the player�s needs.
probably be most comfortable in a straight lastedIt is becoming more common for shoe brands to
shoe. Those with a higher arch generally prefer adesign cleats with interchangeable studs. This
curved or semi-curved last.facilitates the athlete�s needs without having to
The internal last is also a very important aspect ofbuy extra pairs of shoes.
the soccer cleat. The internal last is located betweenWhether they are for you or for someone you
the sockliner and the cleats, and serves as theknow, it is critical to consider all of these variables
interface between the foot and the cleats. A properwhen shopping for soccer cleats. The right pair of
fitting internal last helps support the foot and cancleats can be the difference between performing at
prevent sports injuries such as plantar fasciitis.top potential and sitting on the sidelines with an injury.
Upper Materials: One of the key decisions that aIf you can, shop at a store that specializes in soccer
soccer player must make when choosing their cleatsequipment. These store will typically have a wide
is what type of upper materials they want in theirselection, and will have the knowledge to find the
shoe. The upper is the piece of the shoe that coversright pair of cleats for you.
the foot, and serves to protect the foot. In soccer