Running cleats provide stability for athletes running on turf fields and are a necessary piece of equipment for many youth activities. Kids who do not have proper cleats for their activity are at a higher risk of slipping and getting injured. Doing a little research will help you choose the right type of running cleat for your child's activity.
Metal Spikes
Metal spikes can be very dangerous to the child wearing them and to other people. Metal spikes are allowed in activities like track, baseball and softball, but are outlawed in many other sports like soccer because of the danger. Track spikes are tiny in diameter and provide grip on the outer edge of the shoe, giving the athlete a strong foundation for sprinting. Baseball cleats feature a permanent spike configuration that works best on extremely hard, natural surfaces, according to Eastbay.com. Softball players also use metal spikes that are the same as baseball cleats, small thin tabs. Running in metal spikes gives kids the ability to make quick, sudden movements on surfaces that would prove slippery in regular shoes.
Short Rubber Spikes
Kids looking to run on firm surfaces like grass and some dirt should seek out cleats with short rubber stubs on the bottom. According to Soccer.com, the spikes found on short rubber cleats are molded onto the shoe's bottom and can either be bladed or conical. Short rubber spikes provide traction and stability on most fields and surfaces, and are regarded as the most versatile type of running cleat for kids. Short rubber spikes will work on artificial turf as well as all types of grass fields. Though not as effective, short rubber cleats can also provide traction on dirt.
Long Rubber Spikes
Long rubber spikes featured on kids' running cleats are detachable and are usually reserved for running surfaces that are sloppy and soft. According to the cleat buyer's guide for the Dick's Sporting Goods website, long rubber spikes can be replaced and swapped to fit the field conditions, providing customization. Four spike lengths are most commonly used: 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch and 1 inch. Having all four sizes gives players more options for different field conditions. Long rubber spikes work best for football players who are looking to outrun other players without slipping.
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