Soccer Cleats Buying Guide
Your soccer cleats need to deliver traction, support, elevated feel and comfort to help you play your best. Learn more about key features to look for when picking out your next pair of cleats:
Soccer Cleat Materials
There are a variety of soccer cleat materials and technologies available. The right material for you is based on what feels lightweight, durable, easy to move in, and what provides you with the best feel during ball contact.
- Synthetic leathers are a popular option that mimics the properties of leather but with added benefits like waterproofing and breathability. Soccer cleats made of synthetic materials tend to be easy to clean and typically do not require a long break in period, but may not offer the same level of feel for ball contact as K-leathers or natural leathers.
- K-leather is soft, high comfort kangaroo leather that some traditional soccer cleats and shoes are made of.
- Natural leathers, including full-grain leather and cowhide, provide superior feel of the ball and next-level comfort. Natural leather soccer cleats are typically not waterproof, and may need to avoid being used on wet fields.
- Synthetic fabrics tend to be constructed from plastics or other synthetic materials. Soccer cleats made of synthetic fabrics are durable, light and water-resistant.
- Some soccer cleats may feature knitted uppers. These are a textured surface designed to increase control and traction in kicks.
Soccer Cleat Ankle Height
Soccer cleats come in two popular ankle heights: Low-profile ankle height provides more range of motion that may be favored by forwards or wingers. Mid-profile ankle height offers extra protection for your ankles, but can limit your range of motion.
Types of Soccer Cleats
The right soccer cleats for you may depend on the surface you play on. Learn more about common cleat designs to find the right fit:
- Firm Ground: Soccer cleats designed for firm ground provide extra traction on dry and firm surfaces and are typically used in outdoor games on standard grass fields or artificial grass.
- Hard Ground: Hard ground soccer cleats feature studs that work best on rock-hard surfaces or fields with hard dirt spots as this type of cleat is designed to sit on top of the field, rather than dig into grass.
- Soft Ground: This type of soccer cleat is made to provide traction on muddy or slippery fields with longer studs.
- Turf (AG): Turf soccer cleats generally have a high amount of conical studs and are designed for use on artificial ground or turf.
- Indoor Soccer Shoes: Indoor soccer shoes are typically designed without cleats and provide traction on hard, glossy floors and indoor soccer courts.
Soccer Cleat Fit
Your soccer cleats should fit snug. Keep in mind that some styles of soccer cleats, like K-leather, will stretch overtime. A tight, snug fit allows for better ball feel. Pro Tip: For max comfort, you'll want around a pinkie-finger's worth of space between your toe and the end of the shoe, and enough space to avoid your toes pressing against the upper.
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