subject: A Guide On Shopping For Soccer Cleats [print this page] Finding the right soccer boot can only help your performance on the pitch. There's a huge selection of cleats available today and it can be a difficult decision when trying to find a new cleat. This guide will help you understand what to look for while shopping and hopefully make this process easier for you.
Before even looking at the options, you must first decide what you're willing to spend on a pair of cleats. The price of a cleat can range anywhere from $30 to over $200. Just like with anything in life, you get what you pay for. The more expensive options do offer better technology and are made with better materials which can only help your game.
Depending on the type of surface you play on most, this will help determine the type of studs to look for. For harder surfaces, look for a hard ground cleat. If you play on softer surfaces or you find it's raining quite often, then cleats with longer studs will suit these conditions. Longer studs can also be screw-in cleats which are usually only 6 studs. In order to satisfy both of these situations, many companies have come out with interchangeable cleats that can be adjusted depending on the field type. This is a great option if you can only afford one pair of cleats.
The next part of this process is to consider the weight of the cleat. With lighter shoes, you'll only improve your speed. Unfortunately, it won't make a huge difference but when you're carrying lighter weight, the faster you can move.
Choosing the right material is a huge part of this process. As a soccer player myself, I've always opted for real Kangaroo Leather. Many companies have turned to synthetic materials, due to animal groups protesting. Nike, Adidas and Puma all make synthetic options that feel very similar to real leather. The better synthetic shoes available have been getting great reviews over the last few years. Keep in mind, this is only for the higher end synthetic shoes. The cheaper ones will feel like plastic, as they're made with cheaper materials. In my opinion, Kangaroo Leather is still the way to go since it will mold to your feet and feel like a slipper.
Depending on how often you plan to use the cleat, the life span will vary. I've had cleats last 6 months that were extremely high end! I was playing 5 days per week and didn't bother to take great care of them either. If the leather holds up, just keep an eye on the studs. Once the studs wear down, that's when it's time for a new pair. Screw in studs will last longer and you can always purchase new studs.
They now make different shoes for different positions, but don't look into this too much. The options are different shoes for a better shot or even better ball control. At the end of the day, if you don't have a good shot or ball control, you should be working on that during practice!
As I mentioned, there are so many options out there. There's a huge selection online, but I always recommend trying on a boot first since every player's foot is different. The best deals can certainly be found online though. Good luck!
