3 Tips for Buying Cleats

1. SPORT

If you’re a rookie, choosing cleats can be a bit overwhelming. First things first; find cleats that are specific to your child’s sport. Not all cleats are created equal. What works for football doesn’t work for soccer. In fact, some sports forbid the use of certain types of cleats that were not made specifically for that sport.

2. SURFACE

Choosing cleats for the surface your athlete will be on is crucial. Disregarding the surface of play when choosing cleats can result in injuries. When purchasing cleats, be sure to determine if they are intended for use on grass or turf. In addition to preventing injury, you have to follow surface guidelines as well. Some leagues do not allow all cleats on their turf fields.

3. SIZE

Sizing cleats is not the same as sizing school shoes. When shopping for school shoes, it’s common to leave a bit of “room to grow into.” This is not so much the case with cleats. Too much extra room can cause your athlete to trip or have instability while running.

Once your athlete has played a sport for some time, he or she will find the cleat that best suits their needs. Fit can vary by brand. While some cleats are known to fit the more narrow foot, others are sought after by those with wider feet. Some athletes prefer cleats that rest higher on the ankle, while others find them uncomfortable. A good piece of advice would be not to break the budget on your athlete's first pair of cleats unless they absolutely fall in love with the fit of one. Also, be careful not to let your athlete choose their cleats based solely on look. You may have to be the voice of reason, and make sure that fit and comfort come first.

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