What To Look For
Molded baseball cleats are typically used for children and for leagues that do not allow metal cleats. Molded cleats are somewhat safer, and will not damage the ground or other players in case of a collision. Most molded cleats have the cleats built right into the sole of the shoe. Some of the best brands for molded cleats include New Balance, Nike, Verdero and Mizuno. Baseball America Magazine recommends the New Balance 700 molded baseball cleats for high performance at a budget price. On SportsAuthority.com, the Verdero 3Q Mid Molded Baseball Cleat and the Mizuno 9 Spike Franchise Mid G5 Baseball Cleat each have a five-star user rating.
Common Pitfalls
In general, molded baseball cleats do not last as long as metal cleats. The rubber or plastic cleat part of the shoe wears down with each use. This necessitates the replacement of the shoe every season or even more often, depending on how often the shoes are in play. Some molded cleats are not designed for professional wear, as many professional leagues allow metal cleats. This means that the quality of the shoe itself may be less than that of metal cleats. However, for most children's games and recreational leagues, the molded cleats are a perfect budget option.
Where To Buy
It can be harder to find molded cleats than metal cleats because metal cleats are more popular. However, sporting goods stores like Sports Authority and Academy should offer a few brands of molded cleats such as Nike and 3N2. Amazon.com is another excellent retailer to find molded baseball cleats if you know what brand you are looking for. The manufacturing brands usually offer the models on their websites.
Cost
Most molded baseball cleats are reasonably priced. For the most part, it should be unusual to pay more than $100 for a quality pair of molded baseball cleats. In most cases the cleats should cost between $40 and $80. The New Balance 700 cleats cost around $80. The Verdero 3Q Mid Molded Baseball Cleat costs about $90. The Mizuno 9 Spike Franchise Mid G5 Baseball Cleats cost around $50. Prices will vary with the purchase location and other factors, such as discounts.
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