Speed is essential in soccer and an ideal soccer shoe enhances your abilities on the field. Soccer shoes need to provide traction and stability for turns and sprints without weighing down the player. Choosing the right shoe depends on the surface and condition of the soccer field as well as personal preference.
Shoe Basics
Players call soccer shoes cleats. Kids in many countries grow up playing soccer barefoot, but in the United States, soccer cleats are the norm. Soccer shoes are made from either leather or from synthetic materials. The shoe consists of the top part of the shoe, the sole and the studs or blades that are attached to the bottom of the shoe. Soccer cleats should fit snugly on the foot. Leather shoes tend to stretch, so selecting a correct fit is important. Correctly fitted shoes help athletes play better and avoid injury, according to Howard Liebeskind, a member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and team podiatrist to the U.S. Men's World Cup and National Teams, U.S. Women's World Cup and National Teams.
Feel
Some soccer players prefer leather cleats because they allow you to feel the ball better. When you play soccer, keeping control of the ball is as important as kicking with power. Light shoes made of thin leather allow you to run fast because they do not weigh you down. In wet conditions, though, water permeates leather shoes and makes them heavier. One advantage of synthetic materials in cleats is that they do not absorb any water. Synthetic shoes tend to be somewhat firmer and more structured than the thinner leather cleats. Some player prefer them for their durability and stability.
Traction
You need proper traction on the soccer field in order to get explosive power and speed. Slipping means losing the advantage or even sustaining an injury. When your cleats become stuck in a sudden turn, you could end up twisting a knee. Slipping also increases the likelihood of ankle or joint injuries. The type of studs used on soccer shoes varies from gentle plastic or rubber nubs to longer metal blade-like projections, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine's website.
Surfaces
Soccer is played on many surfaces. A rudimentary soccer field might be made of plain dirt, but team soccer usually takes place on three different types of surfaces. The first is a firm surface. Well-maintained and drained grass fields are firm surfaces. You benefit from wearing shoes with rubber or plastic studs placed in a pattern on the sole of the shoe. The second type of surface is an artificial turf or hard surface. Shoes that have lower rounder studs that cover the entire sole allow you to run fast and turn quickly without tearing up the soccer surface. Soft soccer surfaces are usually outdoor fields soaked by rains. You might select longer metal studs for this surface to provide a good grip. Typically, long soft surface cleats feature two studs at the front and four at the heel area of the shoe, according to the website Soccer.com.
Costs
Soccer shoes vary widely in cost. Synthetic shoes sometimes cost less than leather shoes depending on brand. Major manufacturers such as Nike and Adidas feature models for players of different abilities.
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