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Soccer Cleat Information

To the soccer player, footwear is often the most important piece of soccer equipment he or she can own and also the most difficult to choose. The possibilities are endless, so many different styles, so many different technologies, how does one ever decide? How do you ever find the soccer cleat that is right for you? And once you find the shoes that fit, how do you break them in? And how should you care for your shoes after each wearing?. What goes on your feet will control what happens on the field.

There are two major performance considerations that should shape your decisions with soccer footwear. Your cleat choice will primarily rely on these two questions: what kind of surface do you play on and how much touch does your game demand? The answers to these questions will help you determine the right cleat for you. It is also important to remember that maximum performance will come from a boot that is the most comfortable on your feet.

Construction:

Outsoles: The outsole is the part of the shoe that touches the ground. The field on which you play should determine the type of outsole you choose. The main types of soccer outsoles are:

Molded or firm ground - These are built for most firm natural surfaces. They use molded studs to provide traction on most pitches and are by far the most popular and versatile outsole for natural surfaces. Molded cleats feature both conical and bladed studs.

Replaceable or soft ground - For soft or wet natural surfaces (i.e. well-groomed pitches or mud). Traditionally, soft ground/replaceable have used fewer well-spaced, longer replaceable studs, however many now have bladed studs that are not actually removable. They are the choice for many professional players on manicured pitches, but are not ideal for most American fields because the firmness of the pitch. If used on pitches that are too hard, they can create stud pressure pain and lead to injury.

Turf or Hard Ground - Created for artificial or hard natural surfaces like artificial turf or solid, sun-baked ground. They also provide a good option on frozen fields and make a great backup pair for most players.

Indoor - As the name suggests, for indoor or dry artificial surfaces. Often referred to as flats, indoor boots generally have a non-marking rubber sole.

Upper: Simply stated, the upper is the part of the shoe that contacts the ball. Uppers are made out of a variety of different natural and synthetic leathers. Both offer a wide range of feel and durability. The softer the leather, the better the touch. Unfortunately, the best touch often means lesser durability. Another factor to consider is water retention; many soft, natural leathers absorb water when playing on a wet pitch.

Many coatings and treatments are also available on the upper. They are designed to create friction for control, create a swerve on well-struck balls, or prevent water retention.

The major types of uppers are:

Kangaroo: Kangaroo leather is a soft leather that stretches and molds to the foot. It is the most expensive and results in a pricier boot. It is lightweight and high quality. Shoes made of Kangaroo leather are the most comfortable you will own, however you sacrifice some durability and shoes made of Kangaroo leather usually will not last very long.

Calfskin /Full-Grain: Calfskin is not supple like kangaroo leather but it is much more durable. It is heavier that kangaroo and will not stretch as much. However it is tough and boots made of calfskin usually fall into the mid-price range.

Pittards Leather: Pittards leather is only used in Puma shoes. It is calfskin leather that has gone through a patented treatment process. This process gives the leather a water-resistant quality and causes the boot to dry faster. It also retains its softness and stretches less. Shoes made with pittards leather usually fall somewhere in between shoes of Kangaroo and Calfskin in terms of price.

Other Types of Shoes:
Running and training shoes for general fitness are a staple for any player. Generally, running shoes feature rubber outsole and nylon uppers. Some soccer trainers now offer a soccer upper and a running shoe outsole. Trail shoes are built like most other running shoes, but have a heavier outsole, and should be able to take heavier use. Sandals are key for many soccer players. These rubber slides offer some much-needed relief after 90 minutes in a match or intense training.


Pricing:
The primary factor determining the price of a cleats is the quality of the leather used in construction. The amount of technology that goes into a shoe also has an influence on its price. Many boot technologies and their definitions can be found in the technology glossary. The higher level the player generally the more money he or she will invest in cleats.

 

Sizing:
cleats should fit snugly in the heel and the toe ­ a snug fit improves both performance and comfort. A comfortable width is important, as well. Comfort is your driving factor; the more natural the boots feel on your feet the more comfortable you'll be on the field. The width and feel of shoes (dependant upon the last, which the shoe was molded on) varies with manufacturers and models. Keep in mind the material of the shoe in determining fit ­ you can expect high-quality, natural leathers to stretch some. Therefore they should definitely be snug when new. As a note to parents of junior players: We do not recommend buying shoes too large for players to "grow into." An overly large or poorly fitting shoe can contribute to accidents or injury as players push themselves to their limits.
 

Women's vs. Men's Shoes. It used to be that women soccer players could only buy men's shoes and a lot of the time high quality cleats were not made in sizes that were small enough to fit a women's foot. No longer! Companies now carry a complete collection of cleats designed specifically for the female player. But if you are a female and find that you can only find a man's cleats that suits you, then sizes usually translate. A size 5.5 men's usually equals a size 6.5 women's as demonstrated in the chart below: