Football and soccer, like most outdoor sports, require a specific type of shoe. Since soccer is a game played primarily with the feet and long distances of running is required, soccer shoes need to be comfortable and lightweight and good for kicking. Football shoes are similar, as many of the motions are similar. However, football shoes focus more on stability rather than kicking.
Rules
Soccer shoes cannot have a toe cleat on the bottom of the shoe, as this may cause injury in the kicking motion. Most youth leagues, in both sports, also prohibit the use of metal cleats. These become legal at advanced levels of play, depending on the governing organization.
Football Cleat Types
Football cleats vary by position. Linemen often prefer a high-cut to support ankles, whereas wide receivers and defensive backs may prefer a lighter weight low-cut shoe. Mid-cut shoes are the most common, which can be worn by any player. Midcut shoes are the most common for youth and recreation league players.
Soccer Cleat Patterns
Soccer shoes come in three different cleat patterns, depending on the type of ground. Soft-ground shoes have longer and fewer cleats, and are used in long grass or on wet ground. This is to provide better traction and reduce the amount of mud build-up on the bottom of the cleat. Hard-ground shoes have many short cleats all over the bottom of the shoe, to provide the best traction on dirt or very short grass. These shoes can also be used on turf. Firm-ground shoes are the most common, and the length and number of cleats is between that of soft- and hard-ground shoes. These are most common in youth and recreational league players as well.
Materials
Football cleats are made with a synthetic material to provide support and durability. Youth and recreational cleats are also made with a synthetic material. Higher-end soccer cleats are made with kangaroo leather, so that they will mold to your foot and provide a better feel for the ball on the foot.
Price
Football cleats are relatively inexpensive compared to soccer cleats. Most football cleats are not over $150 as of June 2010, whereas high-end kangaroo leather cleats may cost a player upwards of a couple hundred dollars. However, adequate cleats for each sport can each be found at a reasonable, affordable price.
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