Football Cleats

With the NFL Labor Dispute officially being brought to a close and the lawn mowers revving up to prepare the lawns, this can only mean one thing. Football season is inching ever so closer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a three time perennial All-Pro linebacker like Patrick Willis or if you’re just on your high school’s JV team, now’s a great time as any to start shopping for this season’s upcoming football cleats.

1)      Keep in mind your position.

The first thing that you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for football cleats is your position and what type of field you will be playing on. You will want different cleats for playing on turf and playing on natural grass.

2)       Shoe style

Football cleats are available in three distinct styles, or heights, to accommodate the needs of each position on the field. High-tops are perfect for linemen as they extend up the ankle to provide extra support for lateral movements. Mid-cut offer support while allowing for maneuverability which makes them the perfect choice for defensive backs, running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks. Low-cuts are another lightweight option for anyone who wants extra maneuverability on the field.

3)       Cleat type

When shopping for cleats, always check if your shoe for whether your shoe is molded or detachable. Molded cleats are permanently attached to the outside of the shoe and are generally less than detachable models. Detachable models, on the other hand, are perfect for all types of grass, unlike molded which are ideal for turf.

4)      Shoe materials

Typically, your cleats’ upper will be made from either leather or synthetic material. Leather is generally the most expensive of the two material, although it allows for better breathing and is very durable. Synthetic shoes on the other hand do not give you the same breathability nor durability as leather.

5)      Cleat accessories

After you purchase your shoes, you will want some extra accessories to help get the most out of them. Consider purchasing extra laces and cleats, in addition to applying mink oil to your shoes so they’re softer and more comfortable. They especially help in the rain and snow to keep water out.

6)      Find your cleat size

The last and most important step to remember is to determine the proper shoe size for your feet. Always be sure to try them on before purchasing, as the size and shape of your foot may change over time.

Cleats help athletes from slipping and falling especially in grass and dirt. Cleats are specifically designed for baseball, soccer, and football although cleats vary from sport to sport. Football shoes will have different cleats when compared to baseball shoes. Here are some pointers for choosing the right cleats:

Football cleats

Football cleats are available in different designs with varying features and prices. There are two types of cleats: ones with molded plastic spikes and ones with detachable metal spikes. Choose one based on what type of surface you will be playing on. Some of the top brands for football cleats are Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Reebok. One of the most popular cleat designs is the Nike Zoom Vapor Carbon TD Men’s Football cleats. These shoes come with Flywire, which locks to your foot that gives you ultra-lightweight support for better traction during turns and cuts.

Indoor soccer shoes

The cleats for indoor soccer shoes do not have spiked cleats but utilize flat soles for better traction. There are a few things, you need to look for while looking for indoor cleats. For one, there are artificial turf and indoor soccer shoes. To prevent slipping, the soles of these shoes have special tread and should provide flexibility and support. The plain shoes for indoor soccer have a hard and flat rubber soles that support your foot while playing on a hard surface. Secondly, they should have no cleats and should be lightweight. The soles should have inside padding for proper arch support.  Third, indoor soccer shoes should support you to maintain balance while playing.

Baseball cleats

Baseball cleats are like football cleats in that they vary according to the surface the game is played on. You will need normal standard cleats if you are playing on natural surfaces made of good quality grass and dirt. Metal cleats are not good if you are playing on very hard or on artificial turf. You will need to use baseball turf shoes for those types of surfaces. The baseball turf shoes have a large number of smaller “teeth” or nubs on the soles to spread your weight across the surface of the ground. These nubs are made of softer rubber that translates into better traction on harder surfaces.

Investing in the right kind of shoes is important irrespective of the surface you play on. The right kind of shoe helps you get more support and improve your performance.

Guest Blogger: Jyothi