Saturday, 20 June 2015

Ultimate Soccer Boot/Cleat Buy Guide

Image result for 2015 soccer cleats

  Image result for 2015 soccer cleats

Soccer is a sport that is played indoors or outdoors, and the parts of the body that are mainly used are the feet. So it should come as no surprise that soccer cleats can be the most important piece of equipment that a soccer player can own. With several different styles, types, and materials to choose from, it can be hard for a shopper to decide which cleats will work the best for them. Before buying soccer cleats, shoppers should learn about the different materials used to make cleats, the different types of cleats.

Soccer Cleat Materials

The materials used to make the upper parts of soccer cleats can greatly affect their performance. When selecting the type of material a soccer cleat is made from, players should identify what type of field and conditions they will be playing in. Additionally, players need to determine how durable they want their soccer cleats to be and how they would like the cleats to feel. The most common materials used to make the upper part of soccer cleats are leather, synthetic leather, and rubber / thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Leather Soccer Cleats

Leather soccer cleats tend to have the best feel, but are also the most expensive. Leather also increases in comfort the more it is used. These cleats can offer strength, durability, and breathability. The softer the leather on the cleat, the better it will feel. Unfortunately, this also means that it will be less durable. Leather soccer cleats also absorb more moisture than other shoes and should not be used on wet fields unless they have a wet treatment. The three most common types of leather used when making soccer cleats are kangaroo, full - grain, and Pittards leather, which is only seen in Puma shoes.

Synthetic Soccer Cleats

Soccer cleats made from synthetic leather are among the most common. Synthetic soccer cleats are ideal for entry and mid-level soccer players. They are the least expensive type of soccer cleat to buy, but they also wear out faster than properly cared for leather soccer cleats. Synthetic soccer cleats are easier to take care of and will dry out faster when they are wet than leather cleats will. Most synthetic cleats have been wet treated so they perform well on wet fields or in poor playing conditions.

Rubber / TPU Soccer Cleats

Rubber / TPU soccer cleats are the most popular types of soccer cleats available. They provide superior traction on grassy fields and can prevent slipping. They are also resistant to water and perform well on all types of outdoor and indoor fields.

Soccer Cleat Types

Just as soccer cleats are made of different materials, there are also many different types of soccer cleats. The different types are designed for various functions and perform best in certain conditions or fields. The type of cleat a player should buy also depends on his skill level. The five types of soccer cleats available are molded, detachable, hard ground, turf shoes, and indoor soccer shoes. Popular brands of soccer cleats include Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Lotto.

Molded Soccer Cleats

Molded soccer cleats are also called firm ground soccer cleats. These cleats can be used on almost any type of field and in different conditions. Because of their versatility, these cleats are the most common. They are ideal for beginning and intermediate level soccer players. Molded soccer cleats have non-detachable rubber or hard plastic studs on the bottom. They often have between 10-14 different cleats in specific locations on the sole to provide traction and give the wearer better control. Since these cleats have a solid sole, they are considered to be the safest and required for playing in most youth soccer leagues.

Detachable / Replaceable Soccer Cleats

Detachable / replaceable soccer cleats are also called soft ground soccer cleats. These cleats are designed to be used on soft, wet, or muddy ground, and are recommended for intermediate or professional players who have more experience. They have fewer studs on the bottom that can be made of metal or plastic and can be easily interchanged as needed. These offer versatility to experienced players because they can adjust the type and length of stud to work best on the field they are playing on. Typically there are two to four studs on the heel and four under the ball of the foot. These cleats should only be used on soft ground. Because the studs are longer and spaced differently, a player can be injured if playing on ground that is too hard.

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Hard Ground Soccer Cleats

Hard ground soccer cleats are different than firm ground cleats in that they have more studs and are designed to provide traction on the surface rather than by digging into the ground. The majority of the studs are along the outer edge of the cleat to evenly distribute weight. Shorter studs are placed in the middle of the ball of the foot. Hard ground cleats are ideal for grassy fields that have not been recently watered, frozen ground, and artificial turf. They are sometimes called multiground cleats.

Turf Shoes

Turf soccer shoes differ from the previously mentioned soccer cleats because they do not have actual studs on the bottom. Instead, they have specialized, raised, rubber patterns designed to grip hard outdoor and indoor playing surfaces as well as artificial turf. Turf shoes are ideal for practicing in, and can also be used as a back-up for games that are played on hard surfaces.

Indoor Soccer Shoes

Indoor soccer shoes are not cleats at all and do not have studs on the bottom. Instead they have a flat, non-marking rubber sole that is designed for playing on hard indoor surfaces. They resemble low-cut, lightweight sneakers and weigh less than the other types of cleats. Because the needs for indoor soccer are different than outdoor soccer, the lighter weight shoe is essential. Unlike the other types of cleats, indoor soccer shoes can be comfortably worn as street shoes if desired.

Where To Buy

Konga Click here

 Read Item Descriptions

When you are buying soccer cleats on, it is very important that you read the item descriptions carefully. The title of the listing should give you a general idea of the type, style, and size of the soccer cleats, but sellers can’t list all of the details about the item here. In the description, you will get a better idea as to the condition of the cleats, how they are sized, and any other features that may be unique to the soccer cleats.

Conclusion

Soccer cleats are the most important piece of gear that players can buy. The right type of cleats that fit properly greatly increases a player’s performance, whereas the wrong cleats can greatly hinder it. With so many different styles, types, and options to choose from, it can be hard for a shopper to determine which soccer cleats are the right ones. Before heading to the store to buy cleats, learn about the different materials used to make cleats and the different types of cleats used. Once they have determined the conditions they are playing in, shoppers will know which type of cleats to buy. Players should measure their feet to determine the proper size, and try on different cleats to see which fit the best.

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