Baseball and Softball Cleat Buying Guide
Baseball Monkey
The types of baseball and softball cleats that are available now have changed immensely over the course of the past several decades. These changes have all been for the better, as athletes can now trust that the cleats they put on each practice and game will help protect them from injury, and be durable enough to last throughout at least the entire season. The durability of cleats is an important factor when it comes to making a new purchase, but there are plenty of other aspects that also need to be considered. With this guide, you'll learn:
Different types of baseball and softball cleats
Turf cleats
Interchangeable cleats
How to size baseball cleats
Low-cut cleats vs. high-cut cleats
Difference between baseball and softball cleats vs football and soccer cleats
Types of Baseball and Softball Cleats
There are four different types of cleats that are most popular in the sport today, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. These types of cleats are: molded, metal, turf, and interchangeable.
Molded cleats are versatile and durable and will last throughout the season. These cleats are made out of plastic and have rubber studs, and they're extremely popular for youth players because they provide a bit more protection when sliding and running the bases.
Fans will see these cleats on their favorite professional and collegiate athletes. However, despite their popularity in the world of professional sports, in most recreation baseball and softball leagues, as well as youth and amateur leagues, these cleats are illegal. That's not to say that they don't work very well, but safety is the main concern. The safety danger with metal cleats is on plays at a base where a runner may slide feet first. Purposely or inadvertently, these slides can lead to a potentially severe injury to a fielder's leg. Metal cleats provide more traction on the field and are generally lighter than other cleats, which helps with player agility.
In recent years, the popularity of turf cleats has grown, especially for practicing. Turf cleats are more comfortable than most cleats, and while they don't offer as much grip as molded or metal cleats, they are still a solid choice. Baseball players don't normally wear these during games, but slowpitch softball players tend to lean towards them because of their comfort during all-day tournaments.
In leagues where metal cleats are allowed, interchangeable cleats are a reliable option of footwear. It's easy to change from metal to molded, as they're just screwed on, which allows players to change the cleats depending on the field conditions or the rules for their league. These cleats tend to be a little heavier than the other options, but their versatility makes them a popular choice for a large number of players.
There isn't much difference in terms of cleat sizing when compared to regular sneakers. Cleats fit exactly as a regular tennis or athletic shoe does, but when it comes time to actually buy your new cleats, be sure you wear athletic socks when you're trying them on. Wearing the proper socks will allow you to see what the actual fit will be in your new cleats when game day comes.
Many players wonder if their cleats should have a tight fit. The simple answer to this is yes. The biggest difference between purchasing cleats and regular shoes would be that you want your cleats to fit a little tighter. The main reason for this is you don't want your feet to move around in the shoes, which could cause blisters over time. When you first get your cleats, you'll want them to fit snuggly, as they'll break in over time.
Purchasing cleats for youth players can be tricky. Even if a player is still growing, you don't want to over compensate for growing room. For younger players, you should never go up more than a half size, and there should only be enough room for a single finger behind the ankle. For younger male players with smaller feet, one option is to look at buying women's cleats.
Baseball Monkey is a leading retailer of baseball and softball equipment for all ages and experience levels. Our expert team worked together to build a resource hub of information designed to help players navigate through the many questions that come with gearing up for the baseball season.
MonkeySports, Inc. has been serving athletes around the world since 1999. We offer expert customer service and product knowledge that comes from employing players who are passionate about the game, the gear and the customer. MonkeySports, Inc. has six established brick-and-mortar stores and six websites. Our online stores operate under the banners hockeymonkey.com, goaliemonkey.com, lacrossemonkey.com, baseballmonkey.com, monkeyteamsports.com and monkeyapparel.com.
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