Buying Soccer Cleats
Can players wear baseball shoes? No. Baseball shoes have a center cleat in the toe area that is dangerous and not allowed in soccer play. Players may, however, wear soccer shoes for little league.
Looks vs. Fit vs. Price
In many instances younger players are not concerned with cost and as long as the cleats fit on their foot they are not concerned with the importance of proper fit and comfort. Young players are often most concerned with look, color and brand. Many first practices turn into pseudo fashion shows. Purchase the soccer cleat that is the best fit and provides the most comfort for your child’s feet.
Soccer is a fun game. However, if a child’s soccer cleats are not comfortable, even though they may look sharp, they will be distracted and not be able to concentrate on their practice or game. Worse yet, they may have sores as a result of a poor fit.
Visit a store with people knowledgeable about soccer and have your child’s feet measured. Keep in mind fit varies from brand to brand. Some manufacturer’s sizes run smaller or larger; some run wider or narrower than others. There can be a ½ size difference among brands. Trying on soccer shoes on is essential. When trying on shoes, be sure that your child wears the same soccer socks and shin guards that he/she will wear while playing. It’s also a good idea to try shoes on in the afternoon, when their feet are slightly swollen from being active during the day. A soccer cleat should have a snug fit and while there can be a little toe room at the front, the heel should not lift up. At this age children are constantly growing so you are buying soccer cleats for them to wear now. It is best not to buy them with the idea that they will grow into them. At these ages, if you get both the fall and spring season’s wear from a pair of soccer cleats, consider yourself lucky.
Generally, the less expensive a pair of cleats the thicker and harder the leather will be and the shoe will have more seams (potential areas of irritation). Do not buy a stiff shoe. Hold the shoe between the palms of your hands and press inward. The shoe should flex about 1/3 up from the toe. If it doesn’t or flexes further up e.g. halfway up, do not buy it, as your child will later tell you that the shoe hurts their feet. Next, look at the heel of the shoe as this is the area where children tend to get kicked the most. You can buy shin guards with padding that will protect their ankles but the shoe must protect the heel. The heel of the shoe should be relatively stiff and not bend or give to any great degree.
After a comfortable fit, the next most important aspect of a soccer cleat is the stud.
The studs on the cleats you purchase should be made of rubber as opposed to hard plastic.
In addition to local sports stores, here is one that specializes in soccer gear:
Siegy's Soccer Shop, 422 Route 6 Mahopac, NY. Phone: 1.845.628.4131