Cleats are worn in a number of sports, such as soccer, football and baseball. The type of cleats you should wear depends on which sport you play and the type of surface you play on. Though designs and shoe technologies may differ for sport-specific cleats, the materials cleats are made from are generally the same. Know what to look for before you buy a pair of cleats and learn how to properly maintain your cleats.
Outsoles
The outsole on a cleat is found on the underside of the shoe -- the relatively hard surface that makes contact with the ground when you play. Cleats can be made from a variety of outsoles, each designed specifically for a particular playing surface. Firm ground, or molded, cleat outsoles are most common and are used on most natural hard playing surfaces, while soft ground cleats are made for natural surfaces that are soft or wet. Both outsoles feature a limited number of studs that are strategically placed to optimize traction; the studs are typically made of plastic, rubber or metal. The studs on soft ground cleats are usually replaceable. Other types of outsoles include hard ground, turf and indoor, all of which are designed for artificial surfaces. Many leagues have guidelines on what kind of studs you may wear --- metal studs are often prohibited, for example --- so check with your league or coach before purchasing cleats.
Leather Upper
A cleat's upper is the portion of the shoe that encases your foot and, in soccer, is used to make contact with the ball. The type of material used for the upper on a soccer cleat can have an impact on your ability to control the ball. Quality cleats are generally made from genuine leather. The softer the leather, the better the feel and feedback of the shoe when dribbling or shooting a ball. One downfall to soft leather uppers is the amount of water they can retain when playing in wet conditions. Shoe manufacturers often treat leather uppers for this reason to improve the cleat's durability.
Synthetic Upper
Cleats made with synthetic uppers make for good starter cleats, according to sporting-goods retailer Sports Authority. These types of cleats are cheaper than cleats made from leather but typically don't last as long as well-maintained leather cleats. The feedback quality from synthetic soccer cleats is not as good as that from leather, but they tend to hold up better in wet playing conditions. It can take some time to break in synthetic cleats, as the material is less forgiving. Because of this, the harder synthetic upper may cause you some discomfort at first.
Maintenance
Taking good care of your cleats helps ensure that you'll be able to play in them for a long time. After use, clean off any dirt or mud by brushing it off. Don't use water to clean them, particularly if you have a cleat with a leather upper. Stuff the cleats with newspaper to draw out any excess moisture that is still trapped in the cleats and set them in a dry place, out of the sun; drying leather cleats in the sun can age the leather and make it brittle. Once the cleats are completely dry and clean, store them in a breathable shoe bag. Don't store them in a plastic bag, as plastic traps moisture.
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