Many sports involve specialized types of footwear that athletes are advised to use. The goal is to provide the best traction and support for each particular surface. Sports played on grass or turf fields rely on cleats because they offer superior traction and come in a variety of styles to accommodate each sport. With the many types of cleats available it can be difficult to differentiate football cleats from cleats designed for other sports.
Types
Football cleats come in a wide variety of styles. Some are designed to work best on artificial turf or grass while others are intended to be used by athletes playing specific positions. There are also generic styles to accommodate athletes who play multiple positions and some that work well on both turf and grass surfaces. One feature that makes most football cleats easy to recognize is the stud in the middle toe area of the shoe. Some football cleats will have two toe studs offset on either side of the middle toe. Baseball cleats are the only other shoe that may have a toe cleat. However, baseball cleats usually feature thin, rectangular shaped metal studs which are easy to distinguish from football cleats. The studs on football cleats come in either a molded stud or detachable stud style and are usually a round, square or thick rectangular shape.
Molded Studs
Molded cleats feature studs that are permanently attached to the shoe. The studs are usually constructed from a hard rubber or plastic material and excel in dry conditions on firm ground. Molded cleats can be designed for both grass and turf fields. Cleats designed for grass will usually have longer and more pronounced studs while molded turf cleats typically have shorter, thicker studs. Molded studs can be round, square or rectangular in shape. It is also common for a molded cleat to have studs with different shapes. For example, the studs on the toe and middle of the cleats may be round while the studs on the heel are rectangular. Typically, molded cleats are cheaper than detachable cleats.
Detachable Studs
Detachable cleats usually have six to 12 studs that can be unscrewed and swapped for a more customizable and versatile shoe. Detachable cleats, while more expensive, are generally a better option for experienced players concerned with optimal performance over a variety of surfaces and weather conditions. Because of the customization options, detachable cleats can work well in all weather conditions and on all fields. The wearer is limited only by the studs they have available to swap around and, to some extent, the number of studs slots on the shoe. Detachable studs are typically round in shape and can come in 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch and 1 inch sizes. Like molded cleats, shorter studs will work well on dry surfaces while longer studs excel on wet and slippery conditions.
Shoe Styles
The style of the shoe is another important factor. Football cleats are available in mid, high and low cuts. Players that rely on speed and agility, such as wide receivers, kickers or quarterbacks, typically prefer low cut, light weight cleats to complement their position. High top cleats offer increased ankle support and are typically favored by linesman and other players concerned with maintaining center of gravity and balance under physical pressure. Mid cut cleats are great for players who need both speed and support, such as tight ends or defensive backs. The shoe portion of the cleat is usually easy to distinguish from most other cleats. Low cut football cleats may have a similar shape to soccer cleats but are usually more padded with thicker soles and heavier. Also, mid cut football cleats may look nearly identical to baseball cleats, but comparing the studs will easily distinguish the two. Generally, players should select a comfortable cut that maintains adequate support and protection. Ankle braces and athletic tape can also be used to increase support.
Shoe Material
Leather and synthetic leather are the usual materials used to construct football cleats. It is also common for a shoe to be made primarily from leather with synthetics applied to various spots to increase padding and durability. A full leather shoe is generally more expensive and offers better durability and comfort. Leather tends to be more pliable than synthetic which gives it a more comfortable mold to the player's foot. Synthetic leathers typically don't breath as well which can impact the level of comfort the shoe provides. Keep in mind that there are many leather conditioning products, such as mink oil, that can be applied to the shoe to increase durability.
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