Soccer cleats are a pivotal piece of equipment for any soccer player. Without soccer cleats, you will be slipping and sliding around the field, unable to play the game you love. Therefore, soccer cleats are meant to provide a comfortable cleat that gives you traction and the ability to handle and shoot the ball proficiently.
Composition
All soccer cleats are made of either real or synthetic leather. Both have their pros and cons but for years it was generally accepted that real leather cleats provided better material for a pair of cleats. However, recent technological improvements have allowed for newer synthetics to feel more like real leather. Microfiber material is softer than traditional synthetic leather as well as stronger. Therefore, it is more a sense of preference now when it comes to choosing materials.
Comfort
Being comfortable in your soccer cleats is important. The material of the cleat has a lot to do with how comfortable it is. According to MyYouthSoccerGuide, synthetic cleats often cause sweat to build up improving the chance of blistering and foot problems. Therefore, real leather and the more expensive synthetic cleats breathe, allowing for a more comfortable foot. The more comfortable you are in your cleat, the better you feel on the field, which is the most important thing. With a more comfortable cleat, you feel closer to the playing surface, allowing for better mobility and speed.
Cleats
There are two different types of cleats or studs: molded and detachable. Dick’s Sporting Goods suggests that molded cleats are for beginner and intermediate players because of their overall consistency on most playing surfaces and in most weather conditions. Detachable cleats can be more versatile as they can be changed in order to account for field and weather conditions. Dick’s Sporting Goods states that players with detachable cleats can tailor them in order to perform better on the field.
Function
The cleats or studs are probably the most important part of the soccer shoe, as they allow for you to dig into the ground and change direction quickly. With detachable cleats, longer studs are used in wet conditions or well groomed fields, while shorter studs can be used on harder surfaces. You may think that the more studs, the better traction you get but this is not true. SoccerWebsite, an online soccer information website, says that more studs do not equal better performance because if there are more studs there is a greater chance that the cleats will become clogged with dirt and grass, reducing performance.
Handling
Kicking and handling the ball are important while playing soccer, and soccer cleat manufacturers take this into account. Cleats created with soft leather are better for handling and kicking the ball because your foot is able to feel the ball better. Soccer cleats are stitched with very few bumps or ridges on the outside of the shoe, contributing to improved contact with the ball and control of it's trajectory. As well, the lack of bumps or ridges prevents unwanted spin on the ball when shooting or passing.
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