What to Look For in a New Soccer Cleat

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Choosing the right soccer cleat can play a major role in your performance on the field. There are so many different cleats to choose from these days and it's not an easy decision to make. There are many expensive options that make choosing the right cleat a tough process, so this guide was created to help you understand how to choose the best cleat for your situation!

Before even looking at the options, you must first decide what you're willing to spend on a pair of cleats. The price of a cleat can range anywhere from $30 to over $200. Just like with anything in life, you get what you pay for. The more expensive options do offer better technology and are made with better materials which can only help your game. New Soccer Cleats

There are different types of cleats, for different surfaces. The studs on the bottom vary depending on the type of surface. If you spend most of your time playing on harder surfaces, then a hard ground cleat is perfect for you. If it rains a lot where you play, then chances are the field isn't hard and a longer studded cleat or six studded cleats are what to look for. If you play on all types of surfaces, you may want to consider interchangeable cleats, which allow you to adapt to any field type. If it's affordable, many people own a pair of six studded cleats (screw-ins) and molded for harder surfaces. Don't buy a shoe based on its looks, if it doesn't meet your criteria!

The next part of this process is to consider the weight of the cleat. With lighter shoes, you'll only improve your speed. Unfortunately, it won't make a huge difference but when you're carrying lighter weight, the faster you can move.

Choosing the right material is a huge part of this process. As a soccer player myself, I've always opted for real Kangaroo Leather. Many companies have turned to synthetic materials, due to animal groups protesting. Nike, Adidas and Puma all make synthetic options that feel very similar to real leather. The better synthetic shoes available have been getting great reviews over the last few years. Keep in mind, this is only for the higher end synthetic shoes. The cheaper ones will feel like plastic, as they're made with cheaper materials. In my opinion, Kangaroo Leather is still the way to go since it will mold to your feet and feel like a slipper.

Depending on how often you plan to use the cleat, the life span will vary. I've had cleats last 6 months that were extremely high end! I was playing 5 days per week and didn't bother to take great care of them either. If the leather holds up, just keep an eye on the studs. Once the studs wear down, that's when it's time for a new pair. Screw in studs will last longer and you can always purchase new studs.

They now make different shoes for different positions, but don't look into this too much. The options are different shoes for a better shot or even better ball control. At the end of the day, if you don't have a good shot or ball control, you should be working on that during practice!

As I mentioned, there are so many options out there. There's a huge selection online, but I always recommend trying on a boot first since every player's foot is different. The best deals can certainly be found online though. Good luck!